subject: Natural Remedies for Weight loss Using Herbs [print this page] Natural Remedies for Weight loss Using Herbs
Herbs are small flowering plants. They have been used for ages by humans for the treatment of diseases and for nutrition. There are hundreds of different kinds of herbs, each with its own special properties.
Many of today's medicines such as aspirin and morphine have their origins on active elements found in herbs. Aspirin comes from willow trees while morphine from the seeds of the opium poppy. Actually, many herbs by their own can cure many diseases including cancers and cardiovascular disease. For example, Graviola contains natural compounds that have cytotoxic activity to prevent abnormal cellular division. Thus it is used for immune support and cleaning abnormal tissue growth. Hawthorn berry, on the other hand, is a tonic for all heart related issues. It nourishes the heart, increases oxygen flow to the heart muscle and improves circulation.
Some herbs are renowned for their unique ability to maintain metabolism and lessen appetite. This is pretty much how it works to reduce weight. For example, Ehedra and Safflower oil help increase our metabolic rate so that the body burns fats more efficiently, Onion also helps increase calorie burn in the body, Burdock and Chickweed help fat metabolism, Catnip removes toxins from the body so that the fatty tissue can be metabolized. Licorice root helps decrease cravings for sweet foods while Damiana delays gastric emptying, to name a few.
In Dr. John Raymond Christopher's weight loss herbal formula, he combined chickweed, safflower flowers, burdock root, parsley, Norwegian kelp, licorice root, fennel seed, echinacea, black walnut hulls, papaya leaves and hawthorn berries together to treat overweight and obesity.
In this formula, licorice root, as mentioned, is used to curb the appetite and relieve cravings. The same for fennel seed. As the body holds on to fat reserves if it is missing essential trace elements, kelp and parsley help provide the necessary nutrients. Papaya leaves can help with metabolism and absorption while the other herbs help cleanse the blood and regulate the adrenal and thyroid glands.
Basically, herbs that effect weight loss would have one or more of the following effects:
1. Reduce appetite
2. Stimulate bowel motor activity
3. Regulate proper functioning of thyroid and adrenal glands
4. Remove toxins from the body
5. Enhance the immune system.
Differed from weight loss pills, usually herbs do not have any side effects if taken in small doses. But they can regulate our body metabolism while help rebuild our tissues and enhance tissue functions. They are from the creation of God. In fact, successful, healthy weight loss and maintenance is through healing the metabolism.
Now that spring has begun it is time to lose that unwanted weight we put on over the winter/holiday season. There is no way to undo what we did to put on those pounds but to move forward and fix it with a balanced diet and exercise.
Most people would agree that a proper diet with a moderate amount of exercise is the best way to tackle weight/health issues. The biggest problem is that majority of people that have these problems get that way from over eating or not being able to stick to their diet. (Or even not knowing how to create a diet to begin with) So while many people try the diet and low exercise route statistically simply increasing the amount you exercise and keeping the same diet result in more people losing their desired weight. Now if you can stick to your guns and fix your diet and excise more obviously that will be the optimum way to reach your goal weight but 99% of people will give in to eating something they shouldn't or skipping out on a few days here and there of working out.
So after you set a goal that you would like to weigh the first step would be deciding which route is best for you. If you want to change your diet there are several things to consider. Do you know how to plan a diet or have access to one? If you are changing what you eat the new healthy diet may cost more than what you typically pay weekly. There are a lot of diets out there that suggest to "cut out" certain groups and types of food. When considering a new diet you should always consult your physician but also read into it and get the scoop. In this day and age there is always someone that tried that diet and has probably posted it somewhere on the web.
If changing your diet is too much the alternative is to eat relatively the same and exercise more frequently. Most people think "GYM" when you hear exercise and this is not always the case. It does not always have to cost money to be fit and in the shape you desire. There are various workouts designed with just your body weight that can help shed pounds. If you are looking to gain muscle mass its another story but for the sake of just losing weight its usually your best bet to use your own weight. If you are physically unable to run from health/joint issues you also are not impeded to working out. In fact, many exercises that involve lifting weight/yourself burn more calories, take longer for your body to recover(which keeps you burning even more calories after you have completed your work out), and are better for your joints when compared to jogging. The MOST important thing when it comes to exercising is doing it properly. Being safe and using the necessary equipment and attire are key to staying healthy and not injuring yourself trying to do something to BETTER yourself!
