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Having to consider losing weight and hearing that dreaded four lettered word... D-I-E-T ....is something that makes the majority of us cringe with despair. Whether it's starving yourself on the latest fad diet, or spending ridiculous amounts of money on the newest weight loss program - that make big (and mostly false) promises to radically reduce your weight in the shortest amount of time - most of us will succumb to this false ideology that looking thin is 'in'.
Herbal teas are a cheaper and healthier alternative in helping with weight loss. But don't be fooled for one second that just solely drinking herbal teas will achieve this. The truth is, there is no magic drink, or pill, or lotion or potion for that matter that can help you lose weight without much effort on your part. The keyword is 'helping' and herbal teas are considered an excellent tonic in aiding weight control and in maintaining a healthy body.
The mantra of regular exercise and a balanced diet maybe hard work to fight the bulge but at least it wouldnt compromise your health in the long run.
Dandelion
Known as the little plant that roars, it has natural diuretic and laxative properties to remove water and food weight before digestion begins and help your body reduce the feeling of 'feeling bloated'. Many avid dieters believe that diarrhea keeps their bodies from absorbing calories or fat but this is not the case and could lead to dehydration and dependency on laxatives. Dandelion is also a beneficial aid for digestion and because of its mild laxative properties, it can help in bowel movements to become more regular.
Green Tea
Despite not being classed as a herbal tea (as its leaves come from the actual tea plant camellia sinensis), Green Tea has had the most extensive research carried out that has been proven to be very effective in weight loss. This is due to the polyphenol component which is responsible for its slimming effects. It also contains caffeine which gives the drink its stimulant effects and can increase metabolism which helps to burn fat and calories. It is these reasons why the ingredients in Green Tea are widely used in popular diet pills.
Those suffering from anemia should take caution when drinking Green Tea, as it could lead to a reduction in iron absorption in your body which could cause iron deficiency.
Guarana
Guaranas main ingredient is guaranine which is identical to caffeine. It can act as a stimulant to accelerate body functions such as increasing the heart rate, digestion and respiration due to its caffeine content. It is also a diuretic and can stimulate the nervous system and help you fight depression and cope with stress, thus it may help you to avoid emotional eating which is one of the main causes of weight gain. Due to its high caffeine content, those suffering from sleep disorders and anxiety problems should be wary when taking this in large doses.
Hoodia Gordonii
Hoodia Gordonii is known as a 'natural appetite suppressor' and has been used for centuries by South African Khoisan herders to endure lengthy periods without food or water, whilst they were hunting and gathering. It contains the active ingredient, known as P57 which is responsible for appetite suppression that can "fool the mind in thinking the stomach is full so youre not tempting to snack as much. Caution should be taken as long term use could lead to addiction and malnutrition.
Siberian Ginseng
Known as the king of tonics, Siberian Ginseng is a popular herb to use for its ability to stabilize blood sugar levels thus reducing the desire to eat sugar and sweets. However, people who suffer from high blood pressure, narcolepsy (frequent and uncontrollable deep sleep) or taking blood thinning drugs should avoid it.
It can stimulate the nervous system and act on the pituitary and adrenal glands to give you stamina and help combat fatigue. An increase in stamina means you can work out for longer without feeling tired! Also used to treat nervous disorders, exhaustion, strengthen organs, increases mental ability and a powerful anti-dote to stress and problems with aging.
