The best herbs for weight loss and how to use them

Fitness and nutrition professionals do not respect folk remedies. Agree, not a single textbook will talk about the benefits of soda for burning fat, or some kind of lying breathing exercises on a rolled up towel. These methods do not have a scientific evidence base; your trainer and doctor will most likely not approve of them. But the neighbor, they say, lost weight just like that. And on the forums they are not discussing some basic exercises and a nutrition plan with a slight calorie deficit, but exactly this. Are traditional weight loss methods really that effective?

Herbs for weight loss: description and properties

Herbs for weight loss are plants familiar to many, used for decoctions, infusions, and teas. They are widespread throughout Russia, found in fields and meadows. You can purchase them without problems in pharmacies, markets or natural food stores. For example, “Collection No. 22 for weight loss” is very popular now.

Herbs contain:

• micro- and macroelements;
• vitamins;
• water;
• glucose and complex carbohydrates;
• fiber.

The beneficial properties of herbs are widely used in folk medicine. But, as a rule, not for weight loss, but for treating or relieving symptoms of various diseases. They are especially often used for sore throats, respiratory tract diseases, and skin rashes. Traditional healers recommend using herbs in the form of infusions, teas or decoctions. The order of use is different for each individual plant.

Milk

Many people do not know or doubt that milk burns fat. Indeed, consuming this product helps you lose weight. It contains healthy protein that has a positive effect on the body. Milk also contains calcium, which normalizes metabolism. Milk is also useful for weight loss because it leaves you feeling full for a long time. This is very important when following a diet.

To maintain the desired shape, it is recommended to consume fresh milk daily. It is not recommended to drink a low-fat product. But a strict milk mono-diet, when a person eats only milk for several days, is not suitable for everyone. If you decide to take this step, you should definitely consult your doctor.

Oatmeal with milk

Oatmeal with milk burns fat no worse than expensive weight loss drugs. This dish is a source of “slow” carbohydrates and plant fiber. By consuming it, a person will not feel pangs of hunger. Porridge cleanses blood vessels, preventing the development of atherosclerosis.

In order for low-calorie oatmeal with milk to promote weight loss, you need to adhere to the following rules:

• this dish should be eaten three times a day;
• It is advisable to add cinnamon to the porridge;
• do not add sugar and salt to the dish;
• maintain water balance by drinking approximately 2 liters of still mineral water per day;
• Be sure to include kefir, yogurt, nuts, dried fruits, honey, and fruits in the menu.

Contraindications and who can harm

Traditional medicine currently does not accept folk medicine. Doctors do not prescribe decoctions or infusions for patients. The reason for this is the small amount of evidence indicating the effectiveness of this method, as well as a fairly extensive list of contraindications. These include:

• pregnancy or lactation period;
• age under 18 years;
• the presence of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
• pathologies of the genitourinary systems;
• impaired functioning of the kidneys and liver;
• cardiovascular diseases;
• blood clotting disorder;
• cholelithiasis;
• suspicion of malignancy.

Using herbs for weight loss is strictly prohibited without consulting a specialist. Predicting the possible consequences can be difficult due to little knowledge of this method of losing weight.

Kefir with spices

British scientists announced that this is the most effective way to lose weight without changing your usual diet. You just need to drink the following drink half an hour before each meal:

Take one glass of low-fat kefir and add 1 teaspoon of cinnamon, 1 teaspoon of chopped ginger and a pinch of red pepper.

It is recommended to drink this cocktail immediately after preparation, 1 glass before meals or one half glass before meals and the other after.

This drink has an excellent effect on the intestinal microflora, improves metabolism and dulls the feeling of hunger. For the best effect, it is recommended to replace dinner with kefir drink.

Main types of herbs for weight loss

Herbs are classified according to their effects. There are:

1. Diuretics.
2. Laxatives.
3. Reducing appetite.
4. Fat burning.
5. Accelerating metabolism.

Each type has distinctive features, advantages and disadvantages. Let's take a closer look at each of them.

Appetite suppressants

Often, a person losing weight experiences a strong feeling of hunger. As a rule, this is due to improperly selected nutrition, when the body does not adequately receive the nutrients, vitamins, and minerals necessary for life.

Constantly feeling hungry, a person cannot concentrate on work, feels exhausted, distracted, and forgetful. This phenomenon is abnormal and requires immediate medical intervention.

Traditional medicine recommends in such cases infusions, decoctions or teas that suppress appetite. They are made from the following plants:

• marshmallow root;
• flax-seed;
• sesame.

These herbs themselves can be beneficial for the body. Flaxseed, for example, can replenish the body's daily requirement of Omega-3 fatty acids, and just a teaspoon is enough. Therefore, the listed plants can be added to vegetable salads, combined with main courses and vegetarian snacks. But herbal infusions that suppress appetite alone will not help you lose weight quickly.

Diuretics

As the name suggests, herbs in this category have a diuretic effect and promote fluid removal. Plants in this category include:

• medicinal chamomile;
• horsetail;
• burdock;
• plantain.

Taking diuretics without consulting a specialist is strictly prohibited. This is fraught with serious disruptions to the functioning of the genitourinary system.

To cleanse the body

Another type of herb has a laxative effect. They act on the intestines, promoting the excretion of feces from the body. These include:

• senna leaves;
• dandelion;
• anise;
• yarrow;
• hellebore.

It should be understood that taking decoctions or extracts of the listed herbs can provoke serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. You can take laxatives only with your doctor's permission.

Metabolism stimulation

On pharmacy shelves you can also find herbal teas labeled “To speed up metabolism.” It should be said right away: not a single decoction is capable of stimulating the processes occurring in the body. Therefore, such packaging is just a marketing ploy. Taking decoctions of such herbs is not recommended. In the best case, someone losing weight will not feel any effect, in the worst case, they will get serious problems with the body.

But to improve the functioning of the gastrointestinal tract, you can add anise or dill seeds, a little ginger, and red pepper to your food.

Fat burning

Fat-burning plants are believed to help burn fat. Decoctions based on them are often prepared at home. The following herbs fall into this category:

• anise;
• parsley;
• mint;
• plantain;
• cinnamon;
• rose hip;
• flax seeds.

Traditional healers are convinced that eating these plants helps break down lipids, as well as speed up metabolism. However, they will not help you lose weight on their own. However, the listed herbs can be added to food in small quantities as they are rich in vitamins and minerals.

Lowering glucose levels

Plants of this category in folk medicine include:

• centaury;
• calamus;
• flax seeds;
• mulberry;
• bearberry;
• blueberry leaves.

Doctors are convinced that decoctions based on these herbs can lower blood sugar levels, thereby reducing appetite, as well as cravings for “forbidden” foods. There are currently no scientific studies concerning this issue. Therefore, you should be careful with teas based on the listed plants, especially for people with diabetes.

What causes weight gain

From a scientific point of view, people gain weight for only two reasons:

• The body “stores” excess energy into fat depots. We get it from food and do not spend it when we should be moving, but at this time we are sitting at work or driving home by car;
• A person works out with weights and eats rationally to build muscle mass.

We do not consider the second option; the first is the main cause of all weight problems. But there are also “implicit moments”. Weight may increase on a certain day of the menstrual cycle in women, due to allergic edema, and due to a reaction to medications.

Having noticed a sharp “weight gain” of 2-3 kg, you need to make sure that the following factors are not at work:

• Weighing does not occur on the day of ovulation, or the final 5-10 days before the onset of menstruation;
• Over the past 2-3 weeks, diprospan, dexamethasone have not been administered, and hydrocortisone ointments have not been used;
• No allergic reaction;
• There was no strength training for the legs with basic exercises; loads of this type cause short-term fluid retention and swelling;
• There were no problems with the kidneys or heart;
• The water-salt balance is not disturbed;
• Pregnancy did not occur. In the first trimester, weight may first increase sharply due to fluid retention from increased secretion of hCG and progesterone, and then “fall” as the woman experiences toxicosis

Important: folk remedies for quick weight loss are used to manipulate edema. They “drain the water” and slightly reduce your appetite. Most of them do nothing with the amount of body fat.

Three of the most controversial folk remedies for weight loss! - Everything will be fine. Issue 673 from 09.21.15

How to use correctly

If you still decide to take herbal decoctions for weight loss, then the main thing is to strictly follow the rules:

1. Do not overuse: one drink of 100-150 ml per day will be enough.
2. Each drink must be freshly brewed. Decoctions that have stood for several hours can be dangerous to the body. Refrigeration storage can also affect the properties of the infusion.
3. It is better to replace oral intake with herbal baths. They produce a good relaxing effect and help get rid of stress and tension accumulated during the day. In addition, some plants can improve skin condition. For example, baths with chamomile can reduce inflammation and get rid of acne.

When taking decoctions or infusions, you must pay special attention to your well-being. If symptoms that are unusual for the body occur (nausea, dizziness, weakness, decreased concentration and performance), you should immediately seek medical help.

Proportions and rules of admission

When preparing decoctions and infusions, you must follow the proportions indicated in the recipe. Usually this is one or two teaspoons of herb per 300-400 ml of boiling water.

The general admission rules are as follows:

1. Do not drink on an empty stomach.
2. Do not drink immediately after eating. Optimally - 40-60 minutes after eating.
3. Do not take medications with herbal decoction.
4. Do not drink too hot or too cold a decoction.
5. Do not brew with boiling water - this reduces the concentration of available vitamins and minerals. It is best to fill the grass with water at a temperature of 80°C.

In addition to these rules, you should also follow the basic principles of brewing.

How to brew herbal teas

To prepare an infusion or decoction you will need a thermos. It is in it that a certain temperature necessary to create a drink can be maintained. In this case, you should adhere to several basic recommendations:

• purchase herbs only from trusted places;
• It is not recommended to collect herbs yourself, since some plants differ little from their poisonous counterparts. It can be difficult for an untrained person to distinguish them;
• inspect the mixture before brewing: the leaves must be fresh, have a bright, rich color and a fresh aroma;
• There should be no mold or mildew on the leaves.

Compliance with these rules will allow you to make a herbal drink that is safe for the body.

Rules of application

If you set out to lose weight with the help of herbs that effectively and quickly burn subcutaneous fat, first you will have to learn how to use them correctly in order to achieve the desired result. Dosages, dosing schedule, extra effort will all make a difference.

A few helpful tips from experienced herbalists will help you get the most out of herbal medicine.

1. Get a health screening to find out if you can use a particular herb. Consult with experts.
2. If you plan to collect medicinal plants yourself, this should be done away from industrial enterprises and cities, as they tend to absorb harmful substances from the atmosphere.
3. Learn to dry raw materials correctly: not in the scorching sun, but in a well-ventilated, heated room. Store it in paper bags and go through it regularly.
4. There is a misconception that home-prepared herbs are much healthier than pharmaceutical ones. The latter do not contain any medicinal impurities, but the preparations are compiled very competently, taking into account the proportions of all components. Therefore, they may be preferable.
5. You can choose multifunctional mixtures that combine herbs that reduce appetite and burn fat - this way you will achieve greater efficiency.
6. In order to achieve weight loss, you will have to drink at least 3 glasses of the drink per day.
7. The course is 3-4 months.
8. Drink either half an hour before the main meal, or half an hour after it. Never get into the habit of doing this while eating.
9. To improve results, you need to help herbs burn fat through diet and exercise. This could be a non-strict low-carb diet or simply the absence of harmful foods in the diet. Light cardio training, running in the morning, walking, swimming - any physical activity will be very useful.
10. It is not recommended to take any medications at the same time.

If you plan to use herbs from the pharmacy (ready-made herbal mixtures), dosages and brewing recipes should be indicated on the packaging or inside the box. Try to follow them strictly. This will eliminate the occurrence of side effects and allow you to achieve maximum results.

Lifehack for women. Many herbs should not be consumed during menstruation as they affect blood circulation. Therefore, find out if the plant you have chosen belongs to them. If so, don't worry. Just give your body a short break during critical days, and then resume the course again.

Rating of the most effective herbs for slimness

Traditional medicine offers its own list of the best herbs for weight loss. It includes the following plants:

• ginger;
• Altai grass senna;
• hellebore;
• white mistletoe;
• dandelion;
• sencha tea leaves or other green tea;
• plantain;
• Zimoluk;
• mess;
• monastery collection.

Let's take a closer look at each plant.

Altai senna grass

As already mentioned, this plant belongs to the category of laxatives. This effect is due to the anthraglycosides included in the composition, which are often included in drugs for the treatment of chronic constipation.

To prepare the infusion, you need to mix a tablespoon of the dry mixture and half a liter of hot water. The Altai herb senna is also available in tablet form to treat constipation and enhance peristalsis.

The Altai herb senna has a strong laxative effect. Taking it without the permission of a specialist is strictly prohibited.

Hellebore

Hellebore belongs to a number of perennial plants of the Ranunculaceae family. It is often found in the vastness of Dagestan and the Caucasus. It is there that it is collected, dried and sent to Russian shelves.

In folk medicine, hellebore is regarded as a natural fat burner. It is believed that this plant helps accelerate metabolic processes and the breakdown of lipids. The maximum daily amount for brewing is a quarter of a teaspoon per glass of hot water (300 ml).

After consuming hellebore infusion, it is not recommended to eat for 1.5-2 hours.

Bardakosh

In folk medicine, this plant is known under another name - marjoram. Chefs around the world value this herb for its subtle, delicate aroma and unique flavor notes.

Bardakosh can be added to salads and dishes or a pinch to tea or herbal infusion. The main thing is to strictly follow the norm specified in the recipe.

mistletoe

Mistletoe is a semi-parasite plant that settles on tall trees and lives off of them. It contains a fairly large amount of useful substances and can be added to tea in small quantities - one or two pinches are enough.

At the same time, white mistletoe also has disadvantages: it contains a high concentration of natural poisons that can cause serious poisoning and intoxication in case of overdose.

Plantain

Plantain contains enzymes, phytoncides, tannins and vitamins of various groups, which can be beneficial to the body when taken correctly. At the same time, this plant has a powerful laxative effect and can cause serious disturbances in the gastrointestinal tract.

That is why it is not recommended to use plantain leaves without consulting a specialist, especially if you have gastrointestinal diseases.

Dandelion

Dandelion contains a high concentration of vitamins C and B. These components have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the body, improve the functioning of the heart, kidneys and liver.

Dandelion leaves can be added to vegetable salads. They are often used in a variety of vegan and vegetarian dishes.

Ginger

Ginger is one of the most common spices in India. It is used to prepare various main courses, salads and snacks, and is also added to tea. It is believed that regular consumption helps normalize the gastrointestinal tract and reduce cholesterol levels.

Since ginger is quite spicy, it is not recommended to use it in its pure form. This may cause irritation in the mouth and larynx. It can be added a pinch to tea or as a powder in main courses, as a spice.

In addition, ginger essential oil is often included in masks and wraps that enhance local blood circulation and improve skin condition.

Green tea leaves

The benefits of green tea are now being talked about everywhere. Its main advantage is its high content of antioxidants, which help slow down the aging process, as well as beneficial microelements.

Green tea is brewed as follows:

1. The teapot is preheated by pouring boiling water over the bottom and walls.
2. Pour one or two tablespoons of loose leaf tea into the bottom.
3. Pour in hot but not boiling water - about 80°C.
4. Leave for 3-4 minutes.

Tea needs to be brewed once or twice. Drinking yesterday's drink is strictly prohibited.

Common winterweed

This plant contains a fairly large amount of organic acids and sterols, which are involved in many processes occurring in the body. In addition, wintergreen has a strong diuretic effect, so you can take decoctions based on it only with the permission of a specialist.

You should also know that this plant has a significant drawback. Regular use can lead to severe dehydration of the body, leaching of potassium - an essential substance for the functioning of the cardiovascular system.

Monastic fee

The monastic collection is presented as a means to cleanse the body of waste, toxins and feces. It has a powerful laxative and diuretic effect. This set includes the following plants:

• fennel;
• linden leaves;
• elder;
• chamomile;
• dandelion;
• Altai senna grass;
• peppermint.

Doctors warn that exceeding the maximum permissible concentration can lead to serious problems in the gastrointestinal tract.

Classic Sassi water

Another of the sensational drink recipes for weight loss. Sassi water is perfect for those struggling for a wasp waist and a flat stomach. Due to the fact that this drink removes excess fluid and activates digestion, extra pounds on the stomach disappear faster.

Read more about how this drink really works and reviews from those who have tested the effects of Sassi water on themselves.

To prepare you will need:

• 2 l. clean spring water;
• 2 tbsp. l. fresh ginger, crushed to a paste;
• 1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced;
• 10-12 peppermint leaves;

To get your drink ready, you just need to mix all the ingredients and place them, say, in a carafe. Then fill it all with water and put it in the refrigerator, let the drink brew.

It should sit for 10 hours, so the best option would be if you make the drink in the evening, and it will be ready in the morning.

Reviews from those who have lost weight and recommendations from nutritionists

Doctors warn: herbal decoctions have a wide range of contraindications; their use without the permission of specialists is strictly prohibited. In addition, a person may have an allergy to some components of the collection, which he had not previously suspected. Each organism is unique, and sometimes it is impossible to predict the reaction. Reviews of those who have lost weight also do not say anything unambiguous. If you managed to lose weight, it was only by using other methods of losing weight.

It is also worth saying that no decoction will help you lose weight on its own. There is no herbal based program that can magically melt away fat that has accumulated over the years. To lose excess weight and get back into shape you need complex treatment. Without proper nutrition, physical activity and psychological development of eating habits, it will not be possible to achieve the desired result.

Cognac with lemon

Cognac with lemon is an unusual but effective way to lose weight. Extra centimeters are lost due to the removal of excess water from the body. According to rumors, this method is used by athletes for drying before competitions. This is one of the most popular ways to lose weight in gyms in the spring.

And the recipe is this: Two hours before bedtime and no later than 2 hours after meals, drink 100 milliliters of cognac at night, snacking on lemon. The proportions are as follows - 100 g of cognac - one good lemon. The course should last 7-10 days.

The main thing here is not to get carried away. According to reviews of those losing weight, they lose at least 5 kg, and usually 7-9 kg in 2 weeks.

Fresh root or ground ginger

Ground ginger can be an alternative to the fresh root vegetable. It retains all its beneficial properties even after the drying and grinding process. However, there are also serious differences. For example, ground ginger has a much sharper taste, so try not to overdo it with the amount. One teaspoon ground is equal to a whole tablespoon of fresh ginger. Ground ginger is also perfect as a seasoning for many dishes.

For those who are struggling with excess weight, you can make tea with ground ginger. To do this, simply brew it in a thermos and let it brew for 10 minutes. After this, you can add honey and lemon for taste.

But you can make various compresses and rubs from dry ginger. This will help fight inflammation and have a warming effect throughout the body.

Benefits of ginger

In general, the root crop is grown very far from us. It is brought to European countries and Russia from Asia. In stores it is found in completely different forms. It can be either dried and crushed ginger in the form of a spice, or pickled, which is used with sushi. You can also find it as a root vegetable. To avoid confusing them with anything else, look at the photo.

Ginger contains many different microelements and vitamins that are so necessary for our body: amino acids, essential oils, vitamins A, B, C, magnesium, iron, calcium, potassium, chromium, zinc, etc.

This rich composition is responsible for its healing properties:

• Ginger tincture is very helpful for colds. It will warm up the entire body and help you fight bacteria
• The plant lowers cholesterol levels
• Cleanses arteries
• Strengthens immunity
• Has an analgesic and diaphoretic effect
• Removes toxins
• Helps with gastrointestinal diseases
• Reduces appetite
• Many people use ginger to treat infertility in women and potency in men.