10 Best Herbs for Weight Loss – Best Guide

Of course, everyone wants to lose weight for a healthier body, but it is not an easy feat to achieve. Billions and billions are being spent each year simply on weight-loss products alone and this is because people are always looking for alternatives that can get them to lose weight as quickly as possible. 

It actually has been theorized by Sigmund Freud, one of the world’s most well-known psychologists, that people make choices that will increase their pleasure and that will decrease their chances of receiving pain.

This is referred to as the pain pleasure principle, and Freud believes that this is the core of all the decisions people make. Often, exercising and cutting back on calories are perceived as things that can bring people pain, while overeating and relaxing bring people pleasure. 

One of the key components to losing weight is cutting back on calories, but when people perceive this as something that can bring them pain, it becomes a challenging narrative.

However, this is not the only reason as to why people find it hard to lose weight. For sure, there are other factors too, such as not having enough time to go to the gym or to workout, not having enough money to a healthy diet, or not having the right sources to attain a proper and nutritious diet. 

Everyone’s bodies are built differently, and so not everyone’s weight loss journey will be the same. There are health and diet tips that may be applicable for everyone, but it is best not to dwell too much on a particular individual’s tips because what may work for that person may not work for your body type. 

But there is one key ingredient that you can add to your diet which will greatly help you on your journey to weight loss. Herbs are known as a staple ingredient in the kitchen since they bring a lot of flavor to your food and serve as great alternatives for salt. You may have heard of a few common ones, such as garlic, basil, oregano, and ginger. 

Making healthy lifestyle and diet choices is imperative to your weight loss journey, and what can be healthier than herbs? They add flavor to your food without adding any calories, sodium, junk or sugar, which are all the things you must avoid when trying to lose weight. 

It is not the end of the world when you treat yourself from time to time, but adding herbs to your dishes can vastly make a difference. Here are the top 10 best herbs for weight loss:

10 Best Herbs for Weight Loss

1. Fenugreek

This herb may be unfamiliar for some people but this is a powerful natural weight loss ingredient. It brings numerous health benefits, such as aiding digestion and balancing blood sugar levels. 

Its seeds contain galactomannan, which is a water-soluble heteropolysaccharide that can help you lose weight by reducing fat accumulation.

 

It is able to do this by making you feel full so your appetite will be curbed. Studies have proven that those who drink fenugreek tea before eating reduce their food intake because they can control hunger. 

More than this, fenugreek has a fiber content which makes it highly nutritious. Simply a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds can provide one gram of fiber and 0.9 gram of protein. 

When it comes to weight loss, fenugreek seeds powder or what can also be referred as methi water has been proven to improve a person’s metabolic rate. 

Buy Fenugreek Powder Buy Fenugreek Seeds

It is quite popular in fitness enthusiasts, since it can also help those with diabetes because fenugreek products are sensitive to insulin. 

There are various ways to consume this, some may rely on drinking fenugreek tea or fenugreek honey drink, while others may prefer to eat water-soaked fenugreek seeds. 

It is advised that people take two to five grams of whole fenugreek seeds on the daily for a healthy consumption.

Also Read: Health Benefits of Fenugreek

2. Cayenne Pepper

If you are fond of spicy dishes, then this is a great ingredient for you to add to your recipes. Cayenne pepper is a natural herb that can help you lose weight, and it does so by curbing your appetite, speeding up your metabolism, and helping you burn calories. 

This is because one of the key components within this herb is capsaicin. This active ingredient is a common one amongst different types of peppers, and researchers have studied it to be a thermogenic chemical. 

This chemical can help speed up your metabolism and decrease your appetite. It also has been researched that those who consume cayenne pepper in a meal had fewer cravings after their meals. 

More than that, cayenne pepper also has anti-inflammatory and gastroprotective properties, which means it is great for your digestive system overall. 

It will help you reduce your appetite, but it will not give you the risk of acquiring ulcer since it has been proven to inhibit the growth of ulcers. 

If you do not prefer to add this ingredient to your every dish, then you may also add this to your diet by mixing it with your protein shake, smoothie, or water. 1 gram of dried chili pepper is enough for you take on the daily.

3. Turmeric

This herb is hard to miss in the kitchen because of its bright yellow color. It is a great ingredient, especially if you are fond of eating curry. But other than being a staple ingredient in the kitchen, it can also bring you multiple health benefits, like a healthy weight loss. 

It contains anti-inflammatory properties, which means the inflammation in your body will be reduced. Inflammation is actually one of the factors causing obesity. 

It is able to do this because of its key component, curcumin, which is an antioxidant as well that suppresses the inflammatory condition not only in fat, but also in pancreatic and muscle cells. 

Since this is so, turmeric can help reduce the risk of high cholesterol, high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and many other metabolic conditions. 

Another benefit from consuming turmeric is also its ability to regulate sugar levels. You may consume this herb as a form of tea, a cup or two on the daily should be enough. 

If you are not allergic, then you may also sprinkle cinnamon powder onto your turmeric tea. Cinnamon can also help you lose weight in a natural way. 

If this is something you are not interested in, then turmeric can also be consumed when mixed with milk or other rice dishes and desserts.

Also Read: Health Benefits of Turmeric

4. Cumin

Coming from the parsley family, this spice is a popular ingredient in the kitchen and can serve as alternatives to chili powder and curry. 

Several studies have shown that those who consume ground cumin have effectively lost weight because cumin has proven to lower your cholesterol level, boost your metabolism, and help decrease your blood sugar. 

This is because cumin contains thymoquinone, which is an active ingredient that has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. 

This chemical is a great way to assist your body in cleansing out unwanted toxins, and it does so by targeting free radicals in your body. Moreover, cumin stabilizes your blood sugar by helping your cells respond better to insulin and glucose. 

It may be best for those with diabetes to let cumin be a part of their diet because it can help them receive treatment for their rising levels of sugar. 

When you are used to bloating and swelling often, then adding this to your recipes can help you deal with these symptoms less. 

However, people must understand that cumin does not target fat, rather it targets fat deposits on your body. Therefore, it cannot target one area in your body you wish to get rid of, but it definitely does lower the inflammation in your body. You may consume cumin whether as a form of drink, supplement, or dish.

5. Ginger

This plant is cultivated for its root, which in turn is an ingredient in both cooking and baking. Ginger may be one of the more familiar herbs in the kitchen, and so people should not have any trouble identifying this one. 

It is found that it is a great ingredient that can help people lose weight because it can suppress your appetite as well as decrease the inflammation in your body. 

This is because ginger contains main compounds such as gingerols and shogaols. The biological activities in your body are being stimulated once you consume ginger. 

This is best paired with exercise because the antioxidant properties found in ginger can only prevent the side effects of being overweight but it does not actually address excess pounds themselves. 

It has also been researched that those who consume ginger with their meals stay full longer. Because there is no desire for you to keep eating more, then your calorie intake will start to lower down. 

Food is also being digested faster by helping the body speed the process along the colon. Ginger is best paired with lemon as this gives your body an extra boost to stay healthy, since lemon contains a high amount of vitamin C while it also acts like an appetite suppressant.

6. Black Pepper

Black pepper is used extensively in almost every meal that you can think of because it adds so much flavor to the palette. It also helps that this spice contains various healthy minerals and antioxidants. 

Those who are suffering from indigestion can surely count on this ingredient as well those who are going through a hard process of weight loss. 

Consuming the right amount of black pepper can help speed up your metabolism. It usually takes one teaspoon of black pepper to be mixed with your favorite tea in the morning. 

Since this is a form of spice, it is not best to consume a lot as this may upset your digestive system. Everything should be consumed in moderation since one of the keys to losing weight is a healthy digestion. 

It has been proven that spicy food can help food to be metabolized faster due to their thermogenic effect. And the great thing about black pepper is it contains a lot of thermogenic. 

Among its key compounds is piperine, which is a compound that is said to improve digestion and metabolic performance. Both these benefits reduce the chances of fat from ever accumulating in your body. 

It may sound unusual to add black pepper to your tea drink, but this not only helps you lose weight, but also strengthens your immunity system.

Also Read: Health Benefits of Black Pepper

7. Oregano

Oregano is popular amongst Italian cuisines, and its pleasant smell has its special way of sucking you in. But other than being a staple ingredient in the kitchen, oregano can also be turned into an essential oil. 

This means that it is not meant to be consumed, but even so oregano oil can help you lose weight and lower down your cholesterol levels. 

Oregano can be found all over the world, and actually comes from the mint family. It is turned into an essential oil by air-drying the leaves and shoots of the plant. 

Oregano contains several compounds such as phenols, terpenes, and terpenoids, which are powerful antioxidant properties. 

The most abundant phenol in oregano, called as carvacrol, shows that it can stop the growth of several different types of bacteria. 

It has a lot of other components which helps it get rid of toxins in the body. Since it effectively gets rid of parasites in the gut, it helps lessen bloating and diarrhea to occur. 

Fresh oregano has a much higher antioxidant content as compared to most fruits and vegetables. If you prefer to consume your oregano, there are a lot of different ways you can add or mix it to your favorite dishes.

Also Read: Benefits of Oregano

8. Ginseng

Ginseng root is an herb that can be used to make tea, and it is popular all over the world. In fact, Koreans are known to make several drinks that include ginseng as a key ingredient. 

When it comes to the traditional way of making ginseng tea, its roots along with Korean chestnuts and jujube fruits are the key ingredients as ginseng tea does not have any tea leaves. 

But nowadays, since ginseng is easily acquired worldwide, ginseng is presented in powder form. There are actually two kinds of ginseng, one is from Asia, specifically in China and Korea, while the latter is from America. The former is a warmer option, while the latter is cooling in nature.

Studies have proven that ginseng root has healing properties due to the presence of ginsenosides, which are natural chemicals that are known to have anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, and vasorelaxative properties. 

One of its most common benefits is that ginseng is proven as a great aid to weight loss because it is a natural appetite suppressant. 

Although there are other benefits such as controlling your hypertension and restoring hormonal balance, its ability to help you lose weight is its most well-known feature. 

You may consume this in the form of tea or wine, and it all depends on you as to whether how many cups or bottles you can take.

9. Caralluma Fimbriata

This succulent plant that belongs in the cactus family may not be that familiar for you, but this has been used in India for so many years as a natural appetite suppressant. 

It contains incredible weight loss properties and that is why it is famous amongst fitness enthusiasts. It also has the ability to lower your blood sugar levels.

 

In India, it is sometimes referred to as “famine food” since this is used during periods of famine in their country in order for them to suppress their appetite. 

It can suppress your appetite and enhance your endurance at the same time, and so most of those who consume this are people from rural areas. 

Caralluma Fimbriata is often prepared as a vegetable, and is said to have the ability to obstruct the activity of enzymes. 

This in turns stops the formation of fat, and so the body is forced to burn off its fat reserves. The plant is not known to have any toxic components so almost everyone can consume this vegetable. 

There are various supplements containing this ingredient, but people must still be careful when choosing one since other ingredients may not be suitable for your diet needs. 

You may also consume this as a form of tea, which is becoming more and more popular now so it should not be hard to find.

10. Green Coffee Bean Extract

If you are fond of caffeine, then there is a reason for you to celebrate because this green coffee bean extract is said to have the ability to help you lose weight. 

There have been studies surrounding the effectiveness of green coffee bean extract in terms of weight loss, and while it is not a popular ingredient, it is still worth talking about since a lot of people are fond of caffeine.

 

Its extract actually comes from coffee beans that have not yet been roasted. Chlorogenic acids are compounds that can be found within coffee beans, and these compounds have antioxidant effects which help you lose weight as well as lower your blood pressure. 

In order for you to consume a healthy amount, it is best to keep it between 60 to 185 milligrams per day. 

There are also common side effects when it comes to consuming caffeine, but if you are used to it, then there is no need for you to worry. 

Should you be reaching for a deadline, then this should be a great option for you. Side effects include an increased heart rate, frequent urination, trouble sleeping, and restlessness. 

Make sure you can handle these side effects first and to stay within the healthy dosage so you will not run into trouble.

It is able to do this by making you feel full so your appetite will be curbed. Studies have proven that those who drink fenugreek tea before eating reduce their food intake because they can control hunger. 

More than this, fenugreek has a fiber content which makes it highly nutritious. Simply a teaspoon of fenugreek seeds can provide one gram of fiber and 0.9 gram of protein. 

When it comes to weight loss, fenugreek seeds powder or what can also be referred as methi water has been proven to improve a person’s metabolic rate. 

It is quite popular in fitness enthusiasts, since it can also help those with diabetes because fenugreek products are sensitive to insulin. There are various ways to consume this, some may rely on drinking fenugreek tea or fenugreek honey drink, while others may prefer to eat water-soaked fenugreek seeds. 

It is advised that people take two to five grams of whole fenugreek seeds on the daily for a healthy consumption.

Cayenne Pepper

If you are fond of spicy dishes, then this is a great ingredient for you to add to your recipes. Cayenne pepper is a natural herb that can help you lose weight, and it does so by curbing your appetite, speeding up your metabolism, and helping you burn calories. This is because one of the key components within this herb is capsaicin. This active ingredient is a common one amongst different types of peppers, and researchers have studied it to be a thermogenic chemical. This chemical can help speed up your metabolism and decrease your appetite.

What More You Can Do

When trying to lose weight, there are a lot of reminders that you should tell yourself. First, you must know that your body is actively working against you since the more you lose weight, the more you lose the hormone leptin. 

This is the one that signals you are full to your brain, and meanwhile, your other hormone ghrelin increases which stimulates hunger. 

This is why it is not advised by doctors for people to lose weight in a short manner or to cut too many calories quickly because this will only cause for your metabolism to slow down. 

Herbs do help slow down your metabolism, but you must still take in the right number of calories for this to be able to work out. 

When you will keep forcing yourself to eat as little as possible in the beginning of your weight loss journey, then the more likely you will bounce back to your old eating habits. 

Herbs are there as a solution because they are not asking you to change your eating habits, rather they are waiting for you to include them in your diet. 

Moving forward, losing weight does not happen overnight. Some people look at losing weight as if you will magically lose 40 pounds in a single month. 

Health experts say that is healthiest for people to lose a pound or two on a weekly basis. There are no magic pills that you can take that will help you lose weight immediately, and so if you see commercials about those, stay away from them. 

When starving yourself, you will only be doing yourself a disservice as this will cause havoc onto your metabolism. 

You must always remember that a healthy digestion is the key to weight loss, and the great thing about herbs is they help your body reduce fat without sacrificing your metabolism. 

Of course, how can weight loss be possible if you are not active yourself? Exercise helps you lose weight and/or sustain the weight you already have. 

Even if you are only going to take a few minutes of your day to exercise, it is still imperative for you to keep your body moving. 

Herbs can only do so much to help you, but if you are to remain sitting or lying down all day, then your stored fats will not be burned. 

It is understandable how hard it is for people to exercise or to follow proper workouts, but sometimes, walking around your neighborhood will do. 

There are also various video tutorials online that you can follow so you no longer need to spend money at the gym or to even get out of the house in order to stay fit. 

Keep in mind that losing weight means changing your entire lifestyle choices in the first place. It is best to do this step-by-step until you are at your most comfortable.

Summary

If you find yourself wanting to lose weight but you simply do not have the time or motivation to keep up with a healthy exercise and diet, then adding herbs to your dishes may be a great alternative for you. 

There are countless herbs that you can consume that will help you lose weight, but it will be better still if you are to consult your doctor since not everyone should have the same amount of intake. 

Also, a fair warning, there are supplements out there containing herbs that are believed to help people lose weight which are not really approved by food nutritionists and health experts. 

It is better to consume these herbs as naturally as possible. Make sure to know the needs of your body before deciding since there are a lot of herbs for you to choose from. 

Lastly, your lifestyle choices should reflect what you eat, so all your actions must coincide with a single goal and that is for you to lose any unnecessary fats or toxins in your body.