What is Hoodia or Hoodia Gordonii?

Hoodia claims to be, and has had considerable media attention as an organic appetite suppressant that has no known known side effects!

Hoodia Gordonii is the variety of Hoodia that contains P57 molecule which gives Hoodia its appetite suppressing property. The Hoodia succulent is a native of the Kalahari desert in Africa although it is being commercially grown and cultivated in other countries now.

So what is Hoodia exactly?

Hoodia powder which can be processed into pills, capsules and used in many other types of dietry preparation such as teas, is the result of grinding down the Hoodia Gordonii succulent that have been harvested and dried.

The succulent itself is not a particularly attractive looking plant as you can see. A larger image is available by clicking on the photograph.

A Dutch anthropologist observed the appetite suppressant properties of Hoodia in 1937 while conducting a study of the ancient Kalahari desert tribe known as the Khoisan or San bushmen.

Hoodia has been used by San bushmen who eat the stems raw to supress the feeling of being hungry while travelling long distances and hunting in areas where other food sources are a scarce commodity. Hoodia is known by the tribesman as Xhoba

San tribesman both use it and feed it to their offspring to suppress appetite during times when food is not plentiful. They are one of the oldest known and most primitive tribes and have apparently been using the Hoodia suculent for this purpose for many centuries.

How does Hoodia work?

Hoodia Gordonii contains a molecule that was discovered and isolated by a UK based pharmacutical company called Phytopharm who patented the molecule and called it P57. The company is researching the P57 molecule as an anti obesity drug.

The view is that the molycule P57 causes messages to be sent to a part of your brain called the hyothalamus. The messages tell your brain that your sugar levels are as they should be and you don’t need food. In other words Hoodia fools your brain into thinking that you are full and thereby supresses your appertite.

The fact is that you are neither full, nor do you hungry. Hunger pangs are delayed

What you should consider when taking Hoodia.

There is no doubt that Hoodia works; however when taking any appetite suppressant you should consider the whether it is safe for you to do so. Always check with your doctor whether it is suitable for you.

This is especially important if especially you suffer from diabetes, have dietry requirements for your health or have any eating disorders, like Anorexia or Bulimia. You should also consult your doctor if you have any heart or blood clotting disorders. Take advice if you have any plant related allergies.

Remember that a Hoodia Gordonii is an apertite suppressant and changes you dietry habits

Always buy from a reputable company and avoid cheap sources which often have a low percentage of Hoodia present in their offerings.

Some supplies of Hoodia dietry products have in the past, been known to be contaminated probably as people try to get on the bandwagon.

Where does Hoodia come from?

Hoodia initially came from the Kalahai desert. As you would expect, with the demand for Hoodia, it wouldn’t take long for natural Hoodia sources to dwindle to nothing having a profound effect on the San tribesman and their ancient way of life but also the desert environment.

Hoodia plants mature very slowly in their harsh natural environment. Approximately 4 years from original planting to harveting though commercial varieties can take less than 3 years.

The export of Hoodia from Africa is subject to very strict controls because it is an endangered species. It’s planting and harvesting are subject to very strict UN controls.

Every shipment must be accompanied by its own original CITES permit and Proof of origin. These documents must be clearly and concisely completed to ensure that the product is pure Hoodia and to show UN compliancy.

To meet the commercial demand, pharmaceutical companies and local african companies have started to cultivate Hoodia Gordonii in both covered and open plantations using organic methods in Namibia.

Hoodia is also being cultivated in other parts of the world where similar climatic and horticultural environments exist.

What to looked out for when buying Hoodia Gordonii

I have a fairly simple view of what to look out for.

It is a fact that the desert people had been using Hoodia Gordonii for countless centuries without apparent side effects. Not only by adults but also their children. The fact that they just eat the plant tells me it was pure with no additives, other herbs, tea mixture or potions.

Anything added could detract from the Hoodia in terms of pureness and equally an detraction could consequently have an effect on the Hoodia’s natural performance.

Equally, I think you should be wary of brand names. The molecule named P57 is naturally occuring in the Gordonii variety of Hoodia. So it must be present in all products made out of the Hoodia Gordionii succulent provided it is pure.

The question regarding Hoodia Gordonii products is more about how pure they are. Another question is whether anything has been used to bulk the diet pill or capsule contents out. If that is the case, just how much pure Hoodia is in the product? What will you actually be paying for?

In summary, I would only consider pure Hoodia Gordonii products. It works extremely well as an appetite suppressant and has done so for many centuries for the San tribesmen and their children without side effects! I wanted the same.

After some research which covered a wide variety of products, their prices and contents which will be the subject of another post, I would suggest you take a look at following. It is really pure.

100 % pure with nothing added or taken away – purehoodia.co.uk

Regards Chris Nizzi