Hoodia Cactus
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The Hoodia 'cactus', as some refer to it, is fast becoming a household name in the diet world. Since it is a natural supplement
and has no reported side effects, it is a big hit with those who are using the products manufactured from the plant. No matter
what anyone calls it, the products are working to suppress the appetite and people are losing weight with them.
The Hoodia 'cactus' is actually not a cactus at all however it is related to the cacti family. The cactus-like Hoodia Gordonii
plant is actually a succulent and is a member of the Asclepiadoideae and is a sub-family of the Apocynaceae family. Succulent
plants store water in their stems and roots much like the cactus does. There are many species of the Hoodia plant, however
only the Hoodia Gordonii contains the molecules needed to make the Hoodia products which work as a diet supplement. These
species can be found in the Kahalari Desert in South Africa and Namibia only. Other species can be found in other countries in
southern Africa.
The Hoodia cactus grows to be around 18" to 24" in height and are in clusters of spiny finger-like stalks. The blooms are a
purplish in color and have a foul smell to them. When the stems are eaten or chewed on, they have a slight bitter taste. Freshly
rained on plants are the best tasting. The inside of the plant contains molecules which help suppress the appetite by fooling the
brain into thinking it is full and therefore less is eaten and less calories are taken into the body. This in turn causes weight loss
and also some reports of more energy.
The use of the Hoodia plant has been passed down many generations of the SAN tribesmen of South Africa, who have used
it as a food, medicinal purposes, and to quinch their thirst. The hunters used it on long hunting trips to survive. The molecules
in the Hoodia Gordoni suppressed their appetite so they ate and drank less often and still stayed slim. This triggered the minds
in the scientists to further study the plants.
The progress of the manufacturing of products from the Hoodia Gordonii cactus has snowballed since then and is now being
consumed by many people around the world with very successful results being reported.
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