What is Hoodia?

Hoodia gordonii is a stem succulent (a cactus-like plant) native to the semi-desert areas of South Africa, Namibia, Angola and Botswana.  It can grow up to one meter in height, and after about five years, it grows purple plants that can be harvested.  In recent years, it has become extremely popular as an appetite suppressant and weight-loss aid. 

Hoodia gordonii has been cultivated and used for thousands of years by the San (aka Bushmen), an indigenous people of Africa.  The San are considered to be one of the oldest (if not oldest) peoples in the world.  Genetic studies and archeological evidence suggest that they have inhabited Africa for 22,000 years; in effect suggesting that they are all of humankind's ancient ancestors.  Historically, the San have been hunter-gatherers, and they used Hoodia gordonii to ward off hunger and thirst on long hunting trips.  The San have also used this plant as a treatment for abdominal cramps, indigestion, hemorrhoids and minor infections. 

In 1937, a Dutch anthropologist who was studying this group of people first noted their use of Xhoba (as it is called by the San) as an appetite suppressant.  Studies on Hoodia gordonii began in 1963, and were performed by the national laboratory in South Africa.  Eventually, these scientists began to collaborate with a British company named Phytopharm in order to identify and isolate the active ingredient.  This ingredient, a steroidal glycoside, was isolated in the mid-1990's and given the name p57.  It is postulated that p57 works in the hypothalamus, an area of the brain that regulates appetite, hunger and satiety.