What is Hoodia Gordonii?
Hoodia gordonii is the much acclaimed succulent plant that grows naturally in South Africa and Namibia. Most interest is stirred in the west because parts of the hoodia gordonii plan have the ability to suppress hunger.
Because of the overweight and obesity problem in the United States, many companies are jumping on the bandwagon to supply hoodia gordonii products. Growers in various parts of the world are increasing their crop size to accommodate the growing list of customers.
While there are a number of hoodia varieties, only the gordonii variety has the appetite suppression compound commonly known as P-57. While attempts have been made to synthesize P-57, the process is too costly for commercial purposes. So, the plant itself is being harvested to produce the hoodia appetite suppression supplements.
Hoodia gordonii has been used for centuries by the Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert before going on extended hunting trips. They peal away the spines, remove the skin and eat the fleshy heart of the plant.
The plants themselves are fairly hardy and can grow in the very hot, dry regions of the United States and Mexico. Recommended temperature zones 10 and 11 are present, for example, in south Texas, Miami and Coral Gables Florida, Honolulu, Hawaii, and Mazatlan, Mexico.
You can obtain hoodia gordonii seeds as well as individual plants for growing in your garden or greenhouse, provided the conditions are very dry. Growing the plants in your home is probably not a good idea since the flowers have an unpleasant smell, much like rotting meat. And, homes usually have too much moisture and will cause the plants to rot.
If you purchase hoodia gordonii plants, make sure your obtain a C.I.T.I.E.S (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) certificate. Since Hoodia gordonii is an endangered species, it is illegal to export these plants from most countries without this certificate.
With seeds, you should be prepared to wait about four years for the plants to mature and grow sufficiently to begin to use cuttings for appetite suppression purposes.
Whether you decide to grow your own plants or purchase hoodia gordonii supplements, you should look forward to appetite suppression, decreasing snacking, and a lower weight.
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