on 13 April 2009
Hoodia Gordonii has been hailed as a ‘wonder’ weight loss supplement. Although the West has just discovered Hoodia in recent years, the San Bushmen of southern Africa relied on Hoodia for thousands of years to ward off hunger and quench thirst during their long hunting trips. So what is Hoodia Gordonii?
For someone who is serious about losing weight, the emergence of Hoodia Gordonii (called hoodia for short) has made a great stir among the scientific community. As usual, the manufacturers of slimming supplements have been quick to recognize the potential of Hoodia Gordonii as a weight loss supplement.
The Rise of Hoodia Gordonii
What is Hoodia Gordonii?
Common names of Hoodia Gordonii
Hoodia Gordonii is known with many names, these include: hoodia, xhoba, hoodia cactus, ghaap, queen of the Namib, Bushman's Hat, South African Desert Cactus and African cactus. It is also sometimes misspelled as hoodia gardonii, hoodia gordinii, hoodia gardinni, whodia gordonii, hudia gordonii, hoodia gordini, hoodia gordoni, hoddia, houdia, hodia, gordonia, hoodia gordinni, hooodia, hoodi and huda hodia.
Where does Hoodia Gordonii grow?
Hoodia Gordonii grows naturally in South Africa, Namibia and a small amount can be found in the region of Botswana. This plant is very tolerant to harsh conditions. Hoodia Gordonii grows in high temperatures (up to 40°C) as well as in low temperatures as low as 3°C. Hoodia plant can grow in dry sands, stony slopes, or in the shade of other desert plants.
How long does Hoodia Gordonii take to mature?
Hoodia Gordonii takes up to seven years to mature. This plant can reach up to 1 metre high, and is known to flower with blooms as large as 75mm. Each bloom has an odour that resembles rotten meat, as do the other Hoodia species. It was suggested that the odour was possibly designed to attract its pollinators among flies that feed on meat.
Hoodia Species
There are 13 known species of Hoodia; these are: Hoodia Gordonii, Hoodia Alstonii, Hoodia Currorii, Hoodia Dregei, Hoodia Flava, Hoodia Juttae, Hoodia Officinalis, Hoodia Parviflora, Hoodia Pedicellata, Hoodia Pilifera, Hoodia Ruschii, and Hoodia Triebneri.
Hoodia species, most notably Hoodia Gordonii from the standpoint of supplements, have been used for thousands of years, and still being used, by the tribal San people, also known as the San Bushmen, of Southern Africa to suppress appetite and quench thirst during long hunting trips in the desert. The way they eat Hoodia is by cutting stems which are about the size of a cucumber and nibble on it for a few hours.
Hoodia Gordonii in the San Bushmen cultureThe San people also used Hoodia plants for treating indigestion and small infections as well as a cure for abdominal cramps, haemorrhoids, tuberculosis, indigestion, hypertension, and diabetes. Here the entire plant is boiled and the extract is employed as the cure.
Hoodia Gordonii as a weight loss supplement
Hoodia Gordonii is sold in the form of diet pills, powder, liquid extract, or tea in health stores and on the internet. It is important to know that there are a lot of counterfeit hoodia online and in high street stores. This makes it difficult to choose the right hoodia diet pills.
If you are looking to buy a genuine and authentic pure Hoodia diet supplement that works then I would suggest that you read about how to choose the right Hoodia diet pills. Alternatively, you can navigate to our Hoodia reviews where we review the most popular and potent Hoodia Gordonii diet pills. You can also check our most recommended Hoodia weight loss products.
What is Hoodia Gordonii? posted under Hoodia Gordonii Facts
