Dangerous Herbs Used for Weight Loss

Dangerous Herbs Used for Weight Loss

That herbal medicines have therapeutic properties is certainly not contested. Its use is increasingly widespread because it is thought to be ‘natural and therefore safe’ and also because of various adverse effects of most synthetic drugs. Herbs for weight loss can be taken in the form of tea, powder and liquid extracts and are easily available as supplements. However, it is important to note that many herbs are not free of risks and some can be potentially dangerous herbs. Many herbs can interact with other drugs and cause liver toxicity, ranging from asymptomatic forms to massive liver necrosis. Some of these drugs are mentioned below.

Ephedra - Ephedra, a Chinese herb called Ma Huang, is a very common herbal supplement used for weight loss. Ephedrine, the active ingredient in Ephedra and commonly used in asthma and flu medication, works as a central nervous stimulant by releasing norepinephrine and dopamine. This results in increased heart rate and blood pressure, decreased appetite, and higher energy level. However, ephedrine can be dangerous. It was banned from sale in the US because of concerns about adverse effects that range from high blood pressure, heart attacks, insomnia, seizures and even death.

Green tea extracts - Although a number of trials responded favorably to green tea extracts (GTE) for weight loss, a number of cases reported hepatotoxicity (chemical driven liver damage) concerns. In response, the US Pharmacopeia (USP) Dietary Supplement Information Expert Committee (DSI EC) reviewed the safety information for green tea products to re-evaluate the safety of GTE. A total of 216 case reports on green tea products were analyzed, including 34 reports concerning liver damage. ‘Twenty-seven reports pertaining to liver damage were categorized as possible causality and 7 as probable causality’. The review study indicated that ‘consumption of green tea concentrated extracts on an empty stomach is more likely to lead to adverse effects than consumption in the fed state’.

Colpachi - The root bark of colpachi (Coutarea latifolia), found in Mexico and Brazil, has blood sugar lowering property in diabetic subjects. Since this is thought to be an adaptogenic type herb (tends to return the body’s system to normal state), Colpachi is used as weight loss agent. However, according to a review published in the journal Gastroenterologia y Hepatologia, patients ‘developed acute hepatitis during Colpachi treatment lasting several months, which resolved after discontinuing intake of this substance’.

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Aristolochia fangchi - This herb (Dutchman’s pipe) found use in traditional Chinese medicine as a diuretic. Its active ingredient is aristolochic acid. However, this herbal preparation caused kidney disease in people using it for weight loss. A study reported that in the early 1990s, more than 100 Belgian women had renal side effects with this herb. One-third of them had to receive transplants, another third were put on daily dialysis and the rest were on progressive renal disease. In 1992, the term ‘Chinese Herbs Nephropathy’ (CHN) was coined. Further, 50 percent of patients suffering from end-stage kidney disease developed urothelial carcinoma (cancer of the urinary system – kidney, bladder, ureter and urethra).

Herbs do not ensure permanent weight loss, some may be outright ineffective and some weight loss herbal preparations can be hazardous to health. Generally, conventional medical doctors do not recommend the use of herbs for weight loss but it is advisable to talk to your health care professional before taking herbal remedies for weight loss.