What is the Hoodia Gordonii Plant?
The Hoodia Gordonii plant comes from the Kalahari Desert. It’s a cactus which starts off with just one stem when it’s immature. Over time, it adds more branches. A fully grown plant can weigh up to 30kg. The height of the plant is about 1 meter. The flowers are pollinated by flies, and are found at the top of the plant. They look like the petunia flowers and are dark maroon to pale straw in color. Each flower has a 75mm diameter and can be found growing in August and September with seeds being produced between October and November.
The plant can be found in the Western Cape of Africa. It is also known to be found in the Northern Cape and south of Namibia. It prefers the heat, being a desert plant, so it can be found in areas with high temperatures but can also survive in low temperatures. It’s mostly found in areas with dry stony slopes. The plant can live from 15-25 years.
It was discovered in 1778 by two men, namely Paterson and Col. R.F. Gordon, after whom the plant was named. For many years, it was eaten raw by the tribes local to the area before long hunting trips to reduce their appetite. Now it is used as a diet supplement by wealthy housewives.
The hoodia gordonii plant is one of the 13 species of the hoodia genus. It is used in the manufacture of hoodia products. These are used in weight loss and dieting programs. It is the only species in the genus known to have the P57 molecule. This molecule is said to send signals to the brain indication fine blood sugar levels. Therefore one does not feel hungry.
The plant grows naturally in the Kalahari Desert in parts of Namibia and South Africa. It is a succulent despite its features which make it similar to cactus. For many centuries, Bushmen in the desert ate it to suppress hunger and thirst when they were in hunting trips. Other uses were to boost energy and treat some ailments such as stomach upset.
The first documentation of the plant is the painting of Robert J. Gordon. The analysis of the plant and discovery of P57 is however one of the main ways the western world came to know about it. Perhaps the 60 minutes show is what got hoodia gordonii the publicity it has today.
Bushmen in the Kalahari eat the flesh of the plant. The part of the hoodia gordonii plant with the highest concentration of P57 molecules is the center of the plant. Other parts have the molecule but in smaller quantities.
The plant is usually small but can grow up to 6 feet tall. It is mostly found in rocky and dry areas of the desert. Hoodia takes a long time to mature. Controlled harvesting has been enforced by CITES to ensure it does not go extinct. This has made South African hoodia very expensive.
Commercial farms have been established in Africa and Asia to grow the plant. The process is still new and no studies or documentation have been made to prove the hoodia is similar to the South African natural hoodia. These have led to the low prices of hoodia products as well as introduction of low quality hoodia.
The hoodia gordonii plant is an endangered species. This is as a result of uncontrolled harvesting before the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species documented it as endangered in 2004. Namibia protects the plant and it is only available in South Africa to individuals and companies with CITES certification.
The plant’s products can help in weight loss. This largely depends on the P57 quantity in the product. Other factors are the consumers eating habits, their activities, metabolism and body structure. Hoodia has no known side effects. It should however not be used by people who require regular food intake. These include pregnant women and diabetics.
There are many products which do not come from hoodia gordonii. It is necessary to know some facts about it before buying hoodia products. It is also necessary to find products which have been tested and confirmed to contain P57 which is the active molecule in hoodia gordonii. By finding and knowing the facts about hoodia gordonii, you can be assured of finding the genuine hoodia easily.
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