Real Deal with Weight Loss Herbs: Oat Straw, Cordyceps, and Ginseng

This is the last part of the weight loss herbs series. Here are the other installments: Dandelions and Malabar Tamarind and Licorice and St. John’s Wort.

- Oat straw has long been used to curb addictions, and in the past, it was used for alcoholics, drug addicts, and heroin smokers. If you treat overeating as an addiction, then oat straw could probably help. Oat straw, however, should be taken in low doses, as it has not yet been studied extensively.

-Bodybuilders often use Cordyceps, a Chinese herb, to help them gain energy. Dieters use Cordyceps to increase energy for exercise, which can then lead to more lost weight. However, this property of Cordyceps can also make it dangerous to people with heart conditions.

- Ginseng is found in many health supplements, and can help counter weakness and fatigue. This allows you to exercise regularly and increase the frequency of exercise that you do. However, ginseng is also linked to increased blood pressure.

These are only a few herbs that can probably help you lose weight, so before plunging into any herbal regimen, consult with your doctor and make sure that you get his or her approval before taking anything. Always couple your weight loss herbs with a good diet and exercise. In the end, your health is your greatest priority, so watch what you eat before thinking of losing anything in the process.

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