Lose Weight
Herbs That Help You Lose Weight
If you want to lose weight, herbs can give
you the extra help you need.
This information assumes that you are already doing the right things: you are getting enough exercise, not overeating, cutting down on high calorie foods, and you have checked with your doctor about any health issues with your weight or weight loss.
There is a big difference between wanting to lose a few pounds, and shedding a lot of excess weight because you are addicted to food and in the danger zone. You must see your doctor if you are in this category. Either way, herbs can help a great deal.
A healthy, nourishing diet
First, make sure you have a good diet and do not starve yourself. Starvation diets destroy your immunity and lead to all sorts of illnesses from flu to cancer. The first use of herbs is to make your food tasty, nutritious and satisfying.
The best diet for losing weight is not a slimming diet, but a nourishing, low fat, Mediterranean diet of organically grown vegetables: cabbage, greens, whole grains, beans, seeds, nuts, garlic, and fruits. Celery helps you to lose weight -- it is high in fibre, non-fattening and filling. Include some raw food in a salad with wholemeal sandwiches and with your main meal every day. This diet will balance blood sugar and metabolism, and help to eliminate food craving.
Cut down on dairy products, which are high in animal fats (you need some fat). Avoid sugar, salt, refined and processed foods containing additives or preservatives. Never eat hydrogenated oils -- they are found in margarine, cooking oils, and fast food. Instead use oils high in omega 3 and GLA fatty acids such as olive oil, borage oil, wheat germ oil or evening primrose oil.
For ideas about what to eat to lose weight, try the Greek Mediterranean diet.
Herbs that help you lose weight
The best herbs I have heard of for losing excess weight are nettles and oat straw. They are highly nourishing -- they help you lose weight steadily, reduce cravings for snacks and at the same time maintain your energy.
Make an infusion by pouring boiling water over equal parts of fresh or dried nettles or oat straw. These herbs are rich sources of minerals and vitamins.
Use at least an ounce (1 cupful) of dried nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) or oat straw (Avena sativa). You can add a little mint or lemon balm to enhance the flavour. Put the herb in a quart jar. Fill jar with boiling water. Seal with a tight lid and leave to brew for 4-6 hours or overnight. Strain and keep in the fridge. Make a fresh infusion every day, or at night for the next day. (1)
Drink at least 4 cups a day, iced, warm or hot. At the same time exercise and eat wisely and you will steadily lose your excess weight without feeling tired.
Many other herbs in herbal teas such as peppermint help you lose weight by staving off cravings and aiding the digestion. Green tea is said to burn fat and increase metabolism.
Spices such as ginger, mustard, cinnamon and cloves increase the metabolism and help reduce cravings. They can be added to food or herbal infusions.
‘Miracle herbs’
Big industries make big profits from your willingness to spend money on a ‘miracle herb’ that will make it easy to lost weight. One such ‘buzzherb' is Hoodia, a South African desert cactus.
Aggressively marketed products like this drain the resources of developing countries, so I would recommend you try local herbs first. The ‘miracle herbs’ you need are probably growing in or around your own backyard for free.
While you drink your herbal infusions, put on some relaxing music to sooth away any stress in your day. Visualisation is very effective. Visualise yourself as a slim, fit and healthy person. Do this at night too.
Source for making herbal infusions:
1. How To Make an Herbal Infusion, Susun Weed, 2002, online: http://www.susunweed.com/herbal_ezine/Weed_letter_Feb-02.htm#recipe
© Martha Magenta 2006
Images from top to bottom:
1. Broccoli 2. Oats 3. Nettle
For a list of herb names see Botanical Herb Names