Herbal Appetite Depressants



Herbs that have traditionally been used to treat obesity have many different actions that help the body use and burn calories from food more effectively. Some like Oolong tea and fucus help to keep appetite in check

See Also: * Bitter Tonics * Cholagogue * Carminative * Digestive Herbs * Stimulants Herbs and * Weight Loss Remedies


  • Herb Properties
  • Herbs Alphabetical by Common Name


    • See List Herbs by Botanical Name
  • Bitter Orange Bitter Orange, Citrus x aurantium subsp. amara :
    Citrus Tree : The flowers of the bitter orange yield the essential oil, Neroli, and the peel yields Birgarade. ...
  • Cacao Cacao, Theobroma cacao L. : Chocolate, cocoa
    herb : Theobromine, the alkaloid contained in cacao beans, resembles caffeine in its action, but its effect on the central nervous system is less powerful and does not have the sleep disturbing effects of caffeine....
  • Caralluma Caralluma , Caralluma fimbriata :
    Succulent : Today, most interest is centered on caralluma's use as an appetite suppressant. Caralluma works in much the same way as hoodia, both hoodia and caralluma contain preganane glycosides, thought to aid in weight loss....
  • Chickweed Chickweed, Stellaria media : Starweed
    Annual/Perennial Herb : Chickweed is best known for it's ability to cool inflammation and speed healing as a poultice or ointment for skin irritations, skin abscesses and boils...
  • Cleavers Cleavers, Galium aparine : Clivers, Goose Grass, Catchweed, Sweet Woodruff
    Annual Herb : Herbalists have long regarded cleavers as a valuable lymphatic tonic and diuretic. In essence the lymph system is the body's mechanism to wash tissues of toxins...
  • Coconut oil Coconut oil, Cocos nucifera :
    tree : Coconut oil works wonders for dry and damaged skin, cuts, bruises, and speeds the healing while it fights infection. Coconut oil is different from other saturated fats because it is composed of medium-chain fatty acids, MCFAs....
  • Coffee Coffee, Coffea arabica : java, joe
    : Coffee is probably the most popular drug in the world, Americans consume the equivalent of 500 cups per person...
  • Coleus Forskohlii Coleus Forskohlii, Plectranthus barbatus : Forskolin, Indian Coleus, False Boldo
    tropical perennial plant : Traditional Ayurevedic medicinal plant used to treat high blood pressure, help in losing weight, improving digestion and nutrient absorption, fighting cancer, and immune system support....
  • Eleuthero Root Eleuthero Root, Eleutherococcus senticosus : Siberian ginseng, Ci-wu-jia, Wu Jia Shen Jing
    herb : Eleuthero is used to increase energy and vitality and to treat respiratory and other infections. In traditional Chinese medicine, eleuthero is considered good for vital chi ...
  • Fennel Seed Fennel Seed, Foeniculum vulgare : Sweet Fennel, Fenkel
    : Fennel seed is a good herbal remedy for coughs, helps in weight loss, and even tempers the effects of hormonal changes in menopause...
  • Garcinia Fruit Garcinia Fruit, Garcinia cambogia : Brindleberry, Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA), Gambooge
    Tropical tree : Both Garcinia cambogia and the extracted acid HCA are widely used in weight control formulas. HCA inhibits the formation of fatty acids and therefore less fat is available to the cells to be stored by the body....
  • Grapefruit Grapefruit, Citrus paradisi :
    Evergreen subtropical tree : Grapefruit increases circulation, stimulates the lymphatic system, and may help to regulate body weight with regular use. It is also a good source of the antioxidant vitamin C....
  • Guarana Guarana, Paullinia Cupana :
    Tropical Vine : Guarana is used traditionally to enhance energy levels. You will see this herb in many weight loss formulas listed as a thermogenic stimulator...
  • Gurmar Gurmar, Gymnema sylvestre :
    Climbing Woody Perennial : Gymnema sylvestre leaf effects on insulin levels and blood sugar, Gurmar acts to normalize blood sugar levels, only lowering glucose in those who are hyperglycemic...
  • Hibiscus Hibiscus, Hibiscus sabdariffa : Roselle, rosemallow, Jamaica Sorrel, red sorrel, agua de Jamaica
    Perennial Tropical : The calyx of the hibiscus flowers is used to make a wine red tea that is naturally high in Vitamin C...
  • Hoodia Hoodia, Hoodia Gordonii :
    : Hoodia Gordonii works by mimicking the effect that glucose has on the nerve cells in the brain. The effect on these cells in essence, transmits the feeling of fullness to the brain, diminishing appetite. The problem with this much hyped African plant is t...
  • Horehound Horehound, Marrubium vulgare L. : White horehound, marrubio
    Perennial Herb : Horehound contains the bitter principal marrubiin ,a potent pain reliever and nervous system stimulant. This mint relative is a cough and cold remedy, and a bitter tonic ...
  • Kelp/Bladderwrack Kelp/Bladderwrack, Fucus vesiculosis : Fucus, Seaweed, dried
    Seaweed : Kelp is commonly used in herbal medicine to stimulate the thyroid function, and can be effective in weight loss as part of a low calorie diet....
  • Lady's Mantle Lady's Mantle, Alchemilla vulgaris : Leontopodium, Stellaria
    Perennial : Lady's Mantle is found both in the wild and in cultivated gardens. It has a time honored traditional use as a woman's healing herb that helps to alleviate painful menstruation...
  • Oolong Tea Oolong Tea, Camellia sinensis : Wu Long, Wu Yi Tea
    Shrub : It is true that Oolong/Wu Long tea not only boosts metabolism and suppresses sugar cravings, but it may also burn fat....
  • Pine Pine, Pinus sylvestris : Scots Pine
    : Pine oil is used in aroma lamps to clear congestion and disinfect the air and surfaces. Pine needles can be used to stuff therapeutic pillows and to make balms....
  • Pomegranate Pomegranate, Punica granatum :
    : Pomegranates are touted for their heart protective antioxidants today, but ancient Egyptians loved them for their ability to kill tapeworms and other parasites. ...
  • Prickly Pear Prickly Pear, Opuntia ficus-indica : Nopales, Nopal, Indian fig
    Cactus : Prickly pear is a plant in the cactus family used in traditional Mexican cooking and medicine....
  • Psyllium Psyllium, Plantago psyllium, Plantago ovata : Flea Seed
    Perennial Herb : The seeds of the Plantago ovata contain copious amounts of mucilage that are able to treat diarrhea, constipation and act as a safe and effective weight loss aid....
  • Sarsaparilla Root Sarsaparilla Root, Smilax sarsaparilla : zarzaparrilla
    perennial trailing vine : Sarsaparilla makes a good all round tonic, and the spicy, pleasant smelling root is what gave old fashioned root beer its bite and is the part used medicinally....
  • Stevia Stevia, Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) : Sweet leaf
    Perennial Herbaceous Shrub : Stevia is a herbal sweetener that is good for you, stevia leaf adds no calories, and has no harmful side effects. The sweet leaves of this plant are a pleasant and guilt free alternative to sugar. The active photochemical in stevia leaves, ste...
  • Tea Tea, Camellia sinensis : Green Tea, Black tea
    Evergreen Shrub : Black tea, Oolong/Wu long tea and green and white teas are all from the same plant, Camellia sinensis. The health benefits of tea are mainly credited to the catechin polyphenols, particularly epigallocatechin gallate, or (EGCG). Plant ...
  • White Kidney Bean White Kidney Bean, Phaseolus vulgaris :
    herbaceous annual plant : Many studies have shown that Phaseolus vulgaris reduces the rate at which starchy foods like pasta and bread are converted into sugar....
  • White Willow Bark White Willow Bark, Salix Alba :
    Deciduous tree : White willow may be the oldest herb known to treat pain and inflammation. White willow contains salicin, a precursor to the compound in aspirin. ...
  • Yacon Root Yacon Root, Smallanthus sonchifolius :
    : Yacon root and yacon root syrup are used as a sweetener by who need to control their blood sugar. Yacon is a prebiotic, feeding the 'good' bacteria of the gut helping digestion and stimulating the immune system....
  • Yerba Mate Yerba Mate, Ilex paraguariensis : mate, matte, Paraguay tea
    evergreen tree : Containing 196 active compounds, nutrients, and amino acids, Yerba mate is touted as the new healthy alternative to coffee....