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The Best Herbal for Weight Loss

Medically reviewed by Stephanie Nera, RPh, PharmD · Pharmacology


Written by Lorraine Bunag, R.N. · Updated Feb 15, 2023

    The Best Herbal for Weight Loss

    Today, a person who is trying to lose weight has a lot of options: there are countless of calculated diet regimens, over-the-counter pills, highly specialized workout routines, and even surgeries. However, if you want a more natural approach that is safe, effective, and less tedious compared to the detailed diet programs and exercises, you may want to consider taking herbal for weight loss.

    Why Choose Herbal for Weight Loss?

    According to the Food and Nutrition Research Institute, 28.8% of adults ages 20 to 59 in the country are overweight, while 9.6% are obese. This means that people in the Philippine need to take active steps to ensure that their weight is within the normal range.

    The best reason to incorporate herbal medicine into your weight loss regime is its versatility. The herbs can be prepared in a variety of ways and you can choose the best option for your taste and convenience. If you don’t want them to be prepared separately, you can always include them in your meals as one of the ingredients.

    What Herbal for Weight Loss is Available?

    To be able to decide on what herbal for weight loss is right for you, you need to take note of their uses and benefits. In this section, we will enumerate the herbs and explain how they can help you lose weight as well as how you can take them in your diet

    Cayenne Pepper

    Cayenne pepper is highly accessible. You can easily find it in most supermarkets and Filipino pantries in the form of siling labuyo or siling pula. The ingredient that makes cayenne pepper a good herbal for weight loss is capsaicin, which curbs the appetite by adding a feeling of fullness.

    This means your urge to eat unnecessarily will be lessened because you do not feel hungry. Additionally, cayenne pepper may help increase one’s metabolism, making the person burn more calories.

    How to prepare. The most convenient way to use cayenne pepper as an herbal for weight loss is to use it as a spice to add to your dishes. But of course, it depends on your tolerance (and preference) for spicy foods.

    Another idea is to purchase cayenne pepper in powder form (found in local grocery stores) and then add a few dashes into your smoothies or juices. One detox drink you can make is the Master Cleanse drink. You just mix 2 tablespoons each of fresh lemon juice and maple syrup and about a pinch of cayenne pepper powder into a cup of water. Stir and drink.

    If you have a regular smoothie or juice, you can simply add about ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper powder into it before drinking.

    Oregano

    Oregano is an herb from the mint family. It the typical Filipino household, it is called dahon ng oregano.

    While it is extremely common in the country, most people do not know that this herb is jam-packed with a lot of health benefits.

    • It is known to prevent insulin resistance, thus helping with diabetes. 
    • It has anti-inflammatory properties that help with diseases like asthma and arthritis.
    • Oregano’s most appealing benefit is that it is good herbal for weight loss. Like cayenne, this herb has properties that boost the metabolism, allowing the body to burn more calories than usual.

    How to prepare. Again, the easiest way to include oregano is to serve it with your home-cooked meals. However, you can also prepare a tea out of its leaves.

    To prepare the tea, just boil around 8 ounces of water. In a teapot, add 2 tablespoons of fresh oregano leaves. Let it steep for 5 minutes before removing the leaves. If the flavor is too strong, you can add other ingredients like honey. 

    Ginger

    Ginger or luya is very common and easily accessible in our country. Interestingly, it is also a good herbal remedy for weight loss. The reason for this is because ginger can kickstart a person’s metabolism. The recommendation is to drink ginger tea or water in the morning on an empty stomach.

    How to prepare. For ginger water or tea, simply grate the ginger until you have about a teaspoon. Add it to a cup of water and then boil for 10 minutes. Use a sieve to remove the grated ginger and then enjoy.

    Sometimes, you also do not need to grate the ginger; just slice them thinly, add them to the water, boil, and then your ginger tea is ready. This remedy is also a go-to if you are suffering from cough and cold or sore throat.

    Cinnamon

    While found in many sweets and desserts, cinnamon can actually be used for losing weight. Cinnamon helps by

    • Curbing cravings
    • Managing blood sugar
    • Making a person feel full for longer

    How to prepare. Like cayenne pepper, you can add a few dashes to your smoothies, teas, and drinks, or you can sprinkle onto your oatmeal, yogurt, and even some savory dishes.

    Cumin

    Not only does it lend great flavor to meals, but cumin can also help you effectively manage your weight and diet. According to a study, cumin can significantly boost metabolism and burn fat.

    How to prepare. Simply add the spice to meats, soups, dressings, and even bread.

    Lemon

    Another appetite suppressant, lemon can be used in detox drinks to curb cravings. In a study on the lemon detox program, it was found that the lemon-based juice cleanse helped reduce body fat and insulin resistance. This poses great benefits for those who want to lose weight and improve their heart health.

    How to prepare. Mix lemon juice with water. You may add stevia or a little honey to help with the tartness. For added benefit, you can add a dash of cayenne pepper to the drink.


    All of the aforementioned herbal for weight loss are very common spices in the Philippines. You can get them from the local market or the nearest grocery store – and they are not expensive. Aside from aiding in weight loss, each herbal has other health benefits. 

    All these spices and herbs are generally safe for consumption, unless you are allergic to them, or you have a disease or medication that may interact negatively with the herbs. When it comes to using herbal for weight loss, it is always best to consult your physician.
    Finally, remember that other factors such as exercise and a healthy diet will vastly help in your goal to shed the excess pounds.

    Learn more about Herbal Medicine here

    Disclaimer

    Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

    Medically reviewed by

    Stephanie Nera, RPh, PharmD

    Pharmacology


    Written by Lorraine Bunag, R.N. · Updated Feb 15, 2023

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