This is a plant you might have heard of many times without even realizing it, as it has many names. The indigenous population of South Africa often calls it xhooba and uses it as part of their diet and an efficient remedy that heals skin infections. When used as food, xhooba reduces hunger and thirst and allows to stay without food for a long time and not to feel unwell. The scientists call this plant Hoodia Gordonii. Other names commonly used are Hoodia cactus and South African desert cactus. The plant's habitat is the Kalahari Desert and it has not been found anywhere else in the world.
There have been numerous attempts to grow Hoodia Gordonii for commercial use. However, there are several problems connected with that. Firstly, the cactus needs the exact temperature that can be provided only in a desert like Kalahari. Secondly, there is the issue of time, as 4-5 years are required for Hoodia to become a fully grown plant with the useful effects it is known for. Thirdly, the amount of Hoodia present in the desert nowadays is quite limited, so everything is done by the government to protect the remaining plants from being harvested. There is a company called Phytopharm that started up a number of big plantations of Hoodia Gordonii in South Africa, but those will not give results sooner than in a couple of years from now.
Another fact that contributes to the great value of Hoodia Gordonii is that it's the only one from a number of species of hoodia that possesses the appetite-suppression properties. Today there are too many companies offering the "authentic Hoodia" in their products and promising immediate slimming. The truth is that their products might actually contain hoodia but most likely not the species you really need and not in the quantities you need. So, the best thing to do if you don't feel like wasting money on another "magic" product that ends up bringing you nothing but side effects, is to make sure you purchase the supplement from a company with years of reputation and experience. And remember, as this plant suppresses thirst along with appetite, it is strongly recommended to drink plenty of water, even if you don't feel particularly thirsty.
And, of course, no matter how people call it, Hoodia Gordonii is gorgeous. When 4-5 years pass, and the plant becomes fully-grown, purple flowers appear all over it. It's important to remember that even though this cactus can be the last resort for many people to have a beautiful figure and a happy life, it has to be protected in its natural habitat so that our descendants will also be able to enjoy it.
