Hoodia is a well known diet aid that is derived from the Hoodia cactus plan. Hoodia was made known by such Network News shows as The Today Show, 60 Minutes and was seen on the BBC. What follow is a history of the cactus plant Hoodia Gordonii and an explanation of how this wonder plant benefits dieters world wide.

Historical Facts Concerning Hoodia Gordonii

Hoodia is a plant well known and used for centuries by the San Bushmen of the Kalahari region of South Africa . In the 1990's a study was done by the Council For Scientific and Industrial Research concerning the various indigenous plants used and eaten by the San Bushmen. What came to light in this study was the Hoodia plant had potent properties of appetite suppression which they found to accelerate weight loss and it held no toxic side effects.

Hoodia's Rise to Stardom 

Many assertions of weight loss came to light due to use of Hoodia, and as a result of these claims Hoodia Gordonii products fast became one of the most sought after diet aids in a industry that brings billions of dollars in each year.

When considering which Hoodia product to use in a diet program it is very important to learn all you can about the Hoodia plant and its effects. The study done by the CSIR found that the agent in Hoodia which is responsible for this substantial weight loss is P57.

The CSIR has since sold the rights to P57 to a Pharmaceutical company called Phytopharm. This company will be able to use P57 in all their Hoodia products when they have obtained the legal rights, so as it stands today other companies many also legally make Hoodia products. While Phytopharm one day will own the legal rights to produce P57, they will never be able to patent the Hoodia Cactus plant itself. This is why it is so important for the public to be informed about Hoodia, so the dieter will know which products are of value and which are not.

Not every product labeled Hoodia is the same in potency and ingredients.  The person considering using a Hoodia product would do well to spend some time in informing themselves of the history and benefits of Hoodia, so as to ensure the purchase of the best product possible.