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The Miracle Plants in the Hoodia GenusOrigins For thousands of years, the Sans Bushmen have used Hoodia plants to suppress their appetite, perhaps a necessity in a land where food is scarce. In 1937, a researcher in the area noted their use of the plant, but it wasn't until the end of the century that pharmaceutical companies began to work on making the ingredients capable of being used in mainstream medicine. By 2003, the Hoodia craze had begun with a 60 Minutes special, and the popularity has spiraled to enormous heights. While the main use for Hoodia plants is in anorectics, many florists and gardeners use these bright and flowering plants to brighten up flower beds. They appear to be visually similar to a cactus while in truth varying internally a great deal. These plants are perfect for desert environments (like the Namib Desert where they originated from), and they can retain water for extended periods of time. Anorectic Uses and Concerns Hoodia opens up many new windows of possibility, but it also presents some safety and health concerns. Firstly, hundreds of thousands of people have used Hoodia products to help lose weight, and the vast majority of them agree that it has helped them suppress their appetites. No severe or even mild side effects have ever been confirmed, and for intents and purposes, this appears to be a miracle plant. However, some safety concerns still exist regarding the plant's relatively young lifetime in medicine. With not enough time to publish scientific papers on the safety of using Hoodia, no scientific papers have been presented to the public, although research is currently being conducted. Some of the expected effects are a heightened risk of anorexia and dehydration from a reduce appetite for both eating and drinking, respectively. Also, although the Sans Bushmen used the plant for years to curb their appetites, they never used any other drugs. Thus, pharmaceutical companies simply don't know how Hoodia might react with other popular medicine. Used for thousands of years, this plant offers many promising signs to the medical field. With few if any side effects, it appears safe enough for general use. If a person is seriously overweight and has trouble overcoming their appetite. Hoodia may finally present a solution for them. |
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