It might be challenging to maintain a diet when the food lacks flavor. Luckily, herbs and spices may add taste while also helping to curb cravings for junk food. There are a variety of herbs available for weight loss. These herbs help with weight loss and have anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-diabetic, cholesterol-lowering, and hormone-balancing qualities. Try these 15 excellent herbs to aid with weight loss naturally. Read on to learn more.
In This Article
- The Top 15 Herbs for Losing Weight
- Infographic on the safety of herbs for weight loss Seven common spices that can help with weight loss
- Questions and Answers
- Main Points
15 Best Herbs For Weight Loss
1. Cinnamon For Weight Loss
Turmeric has been shown to aid in weight loss and combat obesity.
It contributes to an increase in metabolism, controls blood sugar, and is essential for reducing triglycerides and LDL cholesterol.
With its advantages, it makes a perfect condiment for diabetics.
How to Eat Cinnamon to Lose Weight
Take 1 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cinnamon powder or 1 caramel bark that has been soaked in water all night. To achieve the intended effects, consume cinnamon-infused water first thing each morning for four weeks.
Making Cinnamon Tea
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon
- one water cup
How to Get Ready
- Boil some water in a cup.
- For an additional two to three minutes of boiling, add the cinnamon powder.
- Before consuming the cinnamon tea, strain it.
Benefits
Turmeric aids with hunger suppression, reduces bad cholesterol, and speeds up metabolism. Warm water promotes healthier bowel movements and aids in the removal of all pollutants. Moreover, it prevents bloating.
2. Fenugreek For Losing Weight
It has been shown that fenugreek seeds can alleviate metabolic disorders. Supplementing with fenugreek seed extract lowers dietary fat intake. Moreover, the seeds increase insulin sensitivity, improve fat digestion, and lower cholesterol.
How to Use Fenugreek to Lose Weight
Consume 1 cup of water and 1 teaspoon of fenugreek seeds per day. The fenugreek seeds can also be ground, kept in a clean jar, and used to smoothies, dal soup, and curries.
Recipe for Fenugreek Seeds Weight Loss
Ingredients
- Fenugreek seeds, 1 teaspoon
- water, 1 cup
How to Get Ready
- Overnight fenugreek seeds should be soaked in a cup of water.
- Eat the water and seeds first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.
Benefits
It increases metabolism, inhibits stress- and inflammation-induced obesity, eliminates toxins from the colon, and lowers the risk of insulin resistance, which is frequently observed in PCOS patients.
3. Garlic for Losing Weight
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Allicin, garlic's active component, aids in the treatment of high blood sugar, metabolic problems, and cardiovascular diseases. Moreover, it possesses anti-tumor qualities and raises immunity (7). Garlic improves metabolism, helps to minimise fat deposition, and may aid in weight loss, according to a research study (8).
How to Eat Garlic to Lose Weight
You can have one clove of garlic every day for the best results. You can also include garlic in your daily recipes to add taste and flavor.
Recipe for Garlic Weight Loss
Ingredients
- one garlic clove
- 1 cup of water 1/2 a lime's juice
How To Prepare
- The garlic clove should be crushed in a mortar and pestle.
- It should go in a cup of water.
- Add lime juice, thoroughly whisk, and sip all at once.
Benefits
The strong flavour and aroma of the garlic are lessened by the lime juice. Limes contain a lot of vitamin C. (9). Despite the need for more research, vitamin C may also aid with weight loss.
Garlic contains anti-cancer qualities, lowers cholesterol, improves heart health, and prevents hunger cravings, all of which help with weight loss.
4. Hibiscus For Losing Weight
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Hibiscus flower extract, which is the vermillion hue of hibiscus tea, aids in weight loss. Hibiscus extract helps reduce abdominal obesity, lowers the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, fat buildup, and adipogenesis, and lowers blood pressure (10), (11), (12), among other health issues (13).
How to Drink Hibiscus Tea to Lose Weight
About 1.5 grams of hibiscus calyx are present in one cup of hibiscus tea. Hibiscus tea is permitted up to two times per day.
Recipe for Hibiscus Tea to Lose Weight
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoons of hibiscus blossoms, dried
- 2-cups of water
- 1 tsp. honey
How to Get Ready
- Place the teapot with the hibiscus flowers in it.
- Pour two cups of boiling water into the teapot.
- Steep it for 5 to 6 minutes.
- Hibiscus tea should be strained.
- Add honey and thoroughly mix.
Benefits
Hibiscus tea eases gastrointestinal discomfort, has diuretic effects, may decrease cholesterol, and enhances bowel movement (14). Honey possesses antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunity-boosting, and anti-tumor effects and is effective against throat infections (15). To prove that excessive hibiscus tea consumption per day has no negative effects on blood pressure, more research is required.
5. Green Tea For Weight Loss
Catechins, which are antioxidants, are abundant in green tea. Epigallocatechin gallate, one of the catechins, increases metabolism. Moreover, green tea includes some caffeine, which promotes muscle growth and fat burning (16). Green tea has been shown in studies to reduce hunger, reduce cravings, and activate hormones that aid in fat burning (17).
How to Drink Green Tea to Lose Weight
It is best you use the green tea leaves to prepare a cup of tea. You can have as many as 3 cups of green tea per day. You may drink a cup of green tea 20-30 minutes before a meal.
Green Tea Weight Loss Recipe
Ingredients
- green tea leaves, 1 teaspoon
- 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon in 1 cup of water
How to Get Ready
- Boil some water in a cup.
- Stir in the cinnamon powder, then cook for two minutes.
- Add the green tea leaves after extinguishing the flame.
- Give them 5-7 minutes to steep.
- Before drinking, strain and thoroughly stir. Here are two other methods for making green tea.
Benefits
Cinnamon and green tea are potent appetite suppressants. Green tea increases metabolism and aids in fat loss. Cinnamon reduces appetite, lowers cholesterol, and helps with weight loss by controlling insulin and blood sugar levels.
6. Black Pepper For Weight Loss
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Piperine is prevalent in black pepper. Black pepper's distinctive flavour is due to piperine, which also aids in preventing the production of fat cells (adipogenesis) (18). Consuming black pepper hence aids in weight loss. In addition, pepper possesses anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-oxidant, and antidepressant effects (19).
How to Eat Black Pepper to Lose Weight
Five black peppercorns can be chewed each day, or you can use them in recipes for juice or cuisine.
Black Pepper Recipe for Weight Loss
Ingredients
- freshly ground black pepper, 1/4 teaspoon
- 1/2 tsp. of honey
- 1-cup of hot water
How to Get Ready
- Warm water in a cup should be mixed with 1 teaspoon honey and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper.
- Before drinking, stir thoroughly.
Benefits
Honey helps enhance immunity and maintain a healthy gut while black pepper assists with weight loss by blocking the creation of fat cells. This beverage with honey and black pepper aids in the removal of toxins from your body.
7. Ginger for Losing Weight
Ginger aids in increasing metabolism, accelerating the breakdown of fat cells, preventing the absorption of fat, and reducing overeating. Moreover, ginger tea lowers body weight, the waist-to-hip ratio, fasting blood sugar, and the insulin resistance index.
How to Eat Ginger to Lose Weight
Ginger root measuring 1/2 inch can be chewed or added to juices, smoothies, or other dishes. Boiling a cup of water with a ginger root that is one inch in length will also produce ginger water. After it has cooled, drink it.
Recipe for Ginger Tea to Lose Weight
Ingredients
- ginger, 1/2 inch
- 1 tsp. of honey
- one water cup
How to Get Ready
- Boil some water in a cup.
- The ginger root should be crushed using a mortar and pestle.
- To the boiling water, add the crushed ginger root.
- Give it another two minutes to boil.
- Add honey after extinguishing the flame.
- Before drinking, strain and thoroughly stir.
Benefits
Ginger protects throat infections, enhances liver and digestive health, eliminates toxins, and aids in fat loss (22). Honey enhances the sweetness of the beverage, counteracts the potent ginger flavour, and strengthens the immune system.
8. Cinnamon For Losing Weight
Curcumin, a component of turmeric, reduces inflammation and bad cholesterol to aid in weight loss. BMI, body weight, waist circumference, and adiponectin (a peptide that promotes fatty acid oxidation, insulin sensitivity, and boosts calorie expenditure) were all reported to decrease with curcumin administration in individuals with metabolic syndrome.
How to Use Turmeric to Lose Weight
Chew a turmeric root measuring half an inch or up to a teaspoon every day.
Recipe for Turmeric Weight Loss
Ingredients
- a half-inch turmeric root
- 1 cup of hot water and 1/2 lime juice
How to Get Ready
- The turmeric root should be crushed using a mortar and pestle.
- To a cup of warm water, add it.
- juice of one lime.
- Before drinking, stir thoroughly.
Benefits
It might aid with intestinal health and weight loss. Additionally, it aids in the healing of wounds, the reduction of pain, and the prevention of microbiological infections.
9. Cardamom For Losing Weight
According to research, cardamom possesses anti-inflammatory and antioxidant characteristics that could improve insulin sensitivity in obese and overweight women with prediabetes and lower total cholesterol. Additionally, it might aid in reducing the severity of fatty liver in those who suffer from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Use either black or green cardamon. Anecdotal evidence, however, points to the use of black cardamom for weight loss.
How to Use Cardamom to Lose Weight
A half-teaspoon of black cardamom powder can be taken once per day.
Cardamom Recipe for Weight Loss
Ingredients
- 12 teaspoon powdered black cardamom
- one water cup
- green tea leaves, one teaspoon
How to Get Ready
Boil some water in a cup.
It will continue to boil for 2 minutes after adding cardamom powder.
Add green tea leaves after extinguishing the flame.
Give them five minutes to steep.
Before consuming, strain the tea and give it a good stir.
Benefits
Green tea increases metabolism and aids in toxin removal. Cardamom raises body temperature internally, which might aid in burning off extra body fat.
10. Use Cayenne Pepper to Lose Weight
One of the elements in Beyonce's well-known master cleanse diet is cayenne pepper. It contains a lot of capsaicin, which encourages fat burning in the body. By boosting satiety, a small dose of cayenne pepper can help you control your appetite. Additionally, it boosts thermogenesis and fat metabolism while preventing the growth of new fat cells.
How to Eat Cayenne Pepper to Lose Weight
Take a quarter teaspoon of cayenne pepper twice daily with your juice or smoothie.
Recipe for Cayenne Pepper Weight Loss
Ingredients
- a quarter teaspoon of cayenne
- 1 lime
- one water cup
How to Get Ready
- Lime juice should be squeezed into a glass.
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper and a cup of water are also added.
- Before drinking, stir thoroughly.
Benefits
The acidic flavour of the lime wonderfully offsets the cayenne pepper's heat. By increasing metabolism and burning body fat, both substances may help people lose weight.
11. Cumin for Losing Weight
Another common spice that is used in many different cuisines around the world is cumin, or jeera. Cumin seeds aid in better digestion and have immune-boosting, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-hypertensive, antihistamine, and antioxidant effects (28). According to a study, cumin powder may help lower body fat percentage, serum triglycerides, bad cholesterol, and BMI (29). It may also help reduce waist circumference.
How To Use Cumin To Lose Weight
Add 12 teaspoon of cumin seed powder to juices or food preparations, or take 1 teaspoon of cumin seeds and soak them in water.
Cumin Recipe for Weight Loss
Ingredients
- seeds of cumin, 1 teaspoon
- 1 cup water,
- 1/2 tsp. powdered honey
How to Get Ready
Cumin seeds should be soaked in water overnight.
The water should be heated until it is warm.
Add honey after straining the water.
Before drinking, stir thoroughly.
Benefits
The gut's overall health can be greatly improved by consuming cumin seeds. Additionally, it improves sleep quality and lowers the risk of skin conditions, respiratory illnesses, the common cold, and anaemia. Honey has antimicrobial properties and aids in detoxification.
12. Rosemary For Weight Loss
How to Use Rosemary to Lose Weight
Three times a day, you can take 400 mg of rosemary tablets. Additionally, you can cook with dried or fresh rosemary.
Rosemary Recipe for Weight Loss
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon of rosemary, fresh
- one water cup
How to Get Ready
- Boil some water in a cup.
- Add rosemary after extinguishing the flame.
- Steep it for 5 to 7 minutes.
- Pour after straining.
Benefits
Rosemary lowers cholesterol and blood sugar. Additionally, it lessens bloating and aids in the colon's detoxification of pollutants.
13. Aloe Vera For Losing Weight
In Ayurveda, aloe vera is renowned for its laxative effects. Along with treating type 2 diabetes and gastrointestinal issues, it also lessens inflammation . In prediabetic individuals, aloe vera also aids in lowering body weight, body fat mass, and insulin resistance.
How to Use Aloe Vera to Lose Weight
Every day, you can consume 1-2 teaspoons of aloe vera extract. Alternately, you can remove the aloe vera gel from the leaf and add it to your morning smoothie or juice.
Aloe Vera Recipe for Losing Weight
Ingredients
- Aloe vera gel, 1 teaspoon,
- 1 cup of water
How to Get Ready
- Using the back of a spoon, mash the aloe vera gel.
- Stir thoroughly after adding water.
Benefits
Your skin and hair will remain healthy if you drink this water each morning. Additionally, it will maintain the health of your digestive system and could hasten weight loss.
14. Dandelion For Losing Weight
Beautiful and tasty, dandelions are everywhere! Dandelions have been proven to have anti-diabetic, anti-obesity, anti-inflammatory, anti-hyperglycemic, and antioxidant characteristics by a scientific review that was published in The Review of Diabetic Studies. Additionally, it enhances digestion and raises insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion. Dandelion leaves might also lower cholesterol, triglycerides, and serum glucose levels.
How to Eat Dandelion to Lose Weight
Take 1 dandelion pill or 2 to 3 teaspoons of dandelion with a full glass of water.
Dandelion Recipe for Weight Loss
- 1 teaspoon dandelion
- 1 cup water
Ingredients
Water and one teaspoon of dandelion
How to Get Ready
- Boil some water in a cup.
- Dandelion should be added after 2–3 minutes of boiling.
- Before drinking, strain the mixture and allow it to cool for a while.
Benefits
Fiber-rich dandelions may aid in preventing the absorption of fat molecules. Antioxidants aid in flushing out pollutants and scavenging dangerous oxygen radicals.
15. Ginseng For Losing Weight
The Chinese have been using ginseng as medicine for many years. It lowers LDL cholesterol, lowers inflammation and stress, reduces glucose absorption and lipid metabolism, lowers insulin resistance and the risk of liver damage, and controls blood sugar levels. The causes of poor health and weight gain include stress, poorly controlled blood sugar, and excessive cholesterol. Ginseng is a reliable herbal treatment for weight loss, according to a study on Korean women .
How To Take Ginseng To Lose Weight
Two times each day, take 5 gm of ginseng extract. After two weeks, you can cut the dosage to 2 gm. Additionally, you can twice daily add 15 to 25 drops of ginseng extract to your tea or water.
Ginseng Tea Recipe for Losing Weight
Ingredients
- ginseng extract, 1 teaspoon
- Water in 500 mL
- lime juice, 1 tbsp
- Just a little cinnamon powder
How to Get Ready
- In a pan, bring water to a boil. After 5 minutes, let it cool.
- Ginseng extract should be added and steeped for 5 minutes.
- Add lime juice and cinnamon powder after straining the water.
- Before drinking, stir thoroughly.
Benefits
Ginseng extract will relieve stress, increase energy and metabolism, lower cholesterol, and control blood sugar. Cinnamon also lowers blood pressure and bad cholesterol, which help with weight loss. Vitamin C is abundant in limes, which helps strengthen the immune system.
In addition to these herbs, a few more are being researched right now.
"Some studies, both in animals and humans, have shown some evidence showing that Gymnema sylvestre extracts can aid in weight loss by blocking our taste buds' sweet receptors," claims dietitian dietician Eva De Angelis. As a result, you consume fewer sweet items, which lowers your calorie intake.
These are the 15 herbs and recipes that are most beneficial for losing weight. However, there are a few safety measures you should be aware of before using them.
Herbs Safe For Weight Loss
Herbs are excellent for both weight loss and flavouring food. Do NOT, however, ingest excessive amounts of the aforementioned herbs. Be mindful of any allergic responses as well. If you are already receiving medical therapy for obesity, diabetes, gastrointestinal illness, or heart disease, use extra caution. Avoid adding any new foods to your diet if you have just given birth or are pregnant without first seeing your doctor.
