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A Guide to Hoodia
Cactus Plant Extract
You might have surely heard about
'Hoodia cactus plant extract' by this time as it has been broadcasted by
numerous major media sources, like the 'BBC', 'The Today Show', 'CBS' and
much more. Because of this, Hoodia Gordonii products have quickly ascended
to become one of the fastest growing segments of the 'diet supplement
market'.
Before choosing a Hoodia product you should know that there are many kinds
of Hoodia plant, but only the Hoodia Gordonii type has an astonishing
'appetite suppressing' quality. These properties have been known about for
centuries by a primitive tribe known as the 'Sans Bushmen'. During mid 1990s
an institute called the C.S.I.R. 'Council for Scientific and Industrial
Research' was conducting a study of native plants eaten by the 'Sans
Bushmen'. Basically, the study was to see what foods, the 'Sans Bushmen'
were taking that protected the toxic compounds. When the C.S.I.R. studied
Hoodia Gordonii, they found it was not only non-toxic, but also it helped to
suppress the appetite of animals it used to feed to.
Hoodia Cactus PlantFinally, the C.S.I.R. isolated the active ingredient
responsible for the 'appetite suppressing' effects and called it 'P57'. This
is the 'Hoodia cactus extract'. They then sold the rights of 'P57' to a
British pharmaceutical company called 'Phytopharm'. You may be wondering how
it can be there are so many Hoodia products on the market if only 'Phytopharm'
has the rights to 'P57'. The answer lies in the patent laws. You know that,
only 'Phytopharm' can extract the active molecule called 'P57' from Hoodia
Gordonii and use it in their product line. But a whole natural plant - in
this case the Hoodia Gordonii plant- cannot be patented. As a result, other
companies' can very well produce supplements or products made from Hoodia
Gordonii and sell them legally.
The important thing for consumers right now is to make sure that they are
buying a product that contains genuine South African Hoodia Gordonii.
About the South
African Hoodia Gordonii Cactus
The South African Hoodia Gordonii Cactus is known by many names. It is
called xshoba or xhooba by the San Bushmen who have used it to treat
indigestion, minor skin infections and as an appetite and thirst suppressant
during long hunts. The scientific name is Hoodia Gordonii. It is actually a
succulent so the names Hoodia cactus and South African desert cactus are
actually misnomers, but they are commonly used. The plant resembles a cactus
when seen growing wild in the Kalahari Desert.
There are problems associated with growing the South African Hoodia cactus
for commercial purposes. First, logically, is temperature. In order to
thrive the Hoodia cactus requires desert like temperatures. Second is time.
It takes four or five years for the African Hoodia Gordonii cactus to reach
full maturity. Quantities of the wild plant are extremely limited and are
protected by the governments of South Africa from harvesting. Phytopharm,
the first company to research the properties of the African hoodia cactus,
has established plantations in South Africa, but will not begin to sell
their patented product for at least a couple of years.
It is important to note that there are more than twenty different varieties
of hoodia, but only Hoodia Gordonii is believed to contain the natural
appetite suppressant. Some companies may be selling products that are
purported to contain the African hoodia cactus, but if it is not Hoodia
Gordonii, then it may not work. As with all health supplements, it is best
to buy hoodia products from a reputable company that sells a complete line
of products. In addition, dieters are advised to remember to drink plenty of
water since hoodia suppresses thirst, as well as appetite.
By any name, the African hoodia cactus is a beautiful plant. Flowers are
pale purple and appear after the plant reaches maturity. Even though dieters
would love to have a large immediate supply, it is important to protect the
wild African hoodia cactus from over-harvesting, so that it can be enjoyed
by future generations.
For more information visit:
Hoodia Diet Reviews
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