To the Kung Bushmen of the Kalahari Hoodia Gordonii cactus
is also known as "Xhoba"
There are about 20 species in this family but cactus gordonii is the one that contains the natural appetite suppressant. The plant was first discovered in the semi-deserts of Southern Africa namely Botswana, Namibia Angola and South Africa. It produces odiferous flowers that attract flies, which pollinate them.
Extracts from Hoodia Gordonii have shown in clinical trials on obese subjects that it can reduce calorie intake by +/- 35%. A significant weight loss resulted from such a drop in calorie intake. These remarkable weight control results are the reason why scientists see Hoodia weight loss pills as a potential answer to obesity in the west. Cultivating these slow growing plants can be difficult, they need fairly high temperatures to flourish but the Kalahari desert is the ideal farming place, that is if the pharmaceutical companies does not convert it into a chemical
The San Bushmen of the Kalahari cut off a stem of the Hoodia plant about the size of a medium cucumber and nibble on it over a couple of days. Some tribes in Namibia boil the Hoodia to treat various ailments with the brew. It can also be used to maintain a high energy level.
Hoodia Gordonii (in habitat) (Masson) Sweet ex Decne Asclepiadaceae
Location: Ceres Karoo Namibia and Northern Cape South Africa. Winter rainfall area
Description: 18 inches tall with regular brown spine stem angles. The stems are grayish-brown in color with the new growth being a light green. The flowers +/- 3 1/2 inches in diameter are pale purple with small dark papillae in the center.
Cultivation: Full sun or light shade, little water.
Common name: Queen of the Namib, African hats.
Propagation: Seeds and cuttings.
Grower: Grows naturally in the reddish soil in the Kalahari and surrounding area.
Please note, pure Hoodia Gordonii grow in the red sands of the Kalahari Desert in Southern Africa. So be aware of the substitutes grown on farms in other parts of the world especially those that make use of chemicals and fertilizers.
The San people of the Kalahari believes: "the land, animals and plants are gifts from the creator and mankind are the custodians, it is our duty to take care of these wonderful gifts and preserve it for future generations".