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Abalone Shell (shi jue ming)
Abutilon Seed (dong kui zi)
Acanthopanax Bark (wu jia pi)
Achyranthes (niu xi)
Aconite (fu zi)
Acorus (shi chang pu)
Adenophora Root (nan sha shen)
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Agrimony (xian he cao)
Ailanthus Bark (chun pi)
Akebia Fruit (ba yue zha)
Albizzia Bark (he huan pi)
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Amber (hu po)
Ampelopsis (bai lian)
Andrographis (chuan xin lian)
Anemarrhena (zhi mu)
Antelope's Horn (ling yang jiao)
Apricot Seed (xing ren)
Areca Peel (da fu pi)
Areca Seed (bing lang)
Arisaema (tian nan xing)
Ark Shell (wa leng zi)
Arnebia (zi cao or ying zi cao)
Arnica (arnica montana)
Artichoke Leaves (Cynara scolymus)
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Ashwagandha (withania somniferum)
Aster (zi wan)
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Cranberry (vaccinium macrocarpon)
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Isatis Root (ban lan gen)
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Polygala (yuan zhi)
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Poppy Capsule (ying su qiao)
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Prinsepia Seed (rui ren/zi)
Prunella (xia ku cao)
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Psoralea (bu gu zhi)
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Pumice (fu hai shi)
Pumpkin Seed (nan gua zi)
Purslane (ma chi xian)
Pyrite (zi ran tong)
Pyrrosia Leaf (shi wei)
Quisqualis (shi jun zi)
Radish (lai fu zi)
Realgar (xiong huang)
Red Atractylodes (cang zhu)
Red Clover (trifolium pratense)
Red Ochre (dai zhe shi)
Red Peony (chi shao)
Red Sage Root (dan shen)
Rehmannia (shu di huang)
Reishi (ling zhi)
Rhubarb (da huang)
Rice Paper Pith (tong cao)
Rose (mei gui hua)
Rosemary (mi die xiang)
Safflower (hong hua)
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Sandalwood (tan xiang)
Sanguisorba Root (di yu)
Sappan Wood (su mu)
Sargent Gloryvine (hong teng)
Saw Palmetto (ju zong lu)
Schefflera (qi ye lian)
Schisandra (wu wei zi)
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Scirpus (san leng)
Scopolia (S. carniolica Jacq.)
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Sea Cucumber (hai shen)
Sea Horse (hai ma)
Seaweed (hai zao)
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Senna (fan xie ye)
Shiitake (hua gu)
Siegesbeckia (xi xian cao)
Siler Root (fang feng)
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Smilax (tu fu ling)
Smithsonite (lu gan shi)
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Sophora Root (ku shen)
Spirodela (fu ping)
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Stemona (bai bu)
Stephania (fang ji [han])
Sweet Annie (qing hao)
Teasel Root (xu duan)
Tiger Bone (hu gu)
Torreya Seed (fei zi)
Tortoise Plastron (gui ban)
Tremella (bai mu er)
Trichosanthes Fruit (gua lou)
Trichosanthes Root (tian hua fen)
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Tsaoko Fruit (cao guo)
Turmeric (jiang huang)
Turtle Shell (bie jia)
Tussilago (kuan dong hua)
Urtica (xun ma)
Uva ursi (arctostaphylos uva-ursi)
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Valerian (jie cao)
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Viola (zi hua di ding)
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Walnut (hu tao ren)
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White Mustard Seed (bai jie ze)
White Peony (bai shao)
Wild Asparagus (tian men dong)
Windmill Palm (zong lu pi/tan)
Xanthium (cang er zi)
Zedoary (e zhu)

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Hydroxycitric Acid

What is hydroxycitric acid? Why do we need it?

Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is a chemical compound found in the garcinia cambogia, a small, pumpkin-shaped fruit native to Southeast Asia. The garcinia (also known as the Malabar tamarind) is often used as a condiment in curry dishes.

Animal studies suggest that HCA may aid in weight loss. Laboratory studies have shown that HCA reduces the conversion of excess carbohydrates into fat by preventing certain enzymatic processes from taking place. HCA also appears to suppress appetite, and appears to work better on subjects that have high simple-sugar diets as opposed to high-fiber diets. However, the majority of these studies have been conducted in animals. Similar trials in humans have yet to produce definitive results. As a result, the effectiveness of HCA for weight loss remains unclear as of this writing.

How much hydroxycitric acid should I take?

Because HCA is not an essential nutrient, optimal levels and recommended daily allowances have yet to be established. While some practitioners recommend taking 500 milligrams three times per day (before each meal) to help promote weight loss, this amount is far below that used in clinical animal studies on a pound-for-pound basis.

What forms of hydroxycitric acid are available?

HCA is found only in a few plants, the chief of these being garcinia cambogia. Large amounts of HCA are found in the plant's rind. In addition to garcinia, HCA supplements are available in a variety of forms, including powders, capsules, tablets, energy bars and chewing gum.

What can happen if I take too much hydroxycitric acid? Are there any interactions I should be aware of? What precautions should I take?

HCA use has not been linked to any adverse effects. High-fiber diets appear to inhibit the absorption of hydroxycitric acid into the body; as a result, people who are on high-fiber diets and are attempting to lose weight may require larger daily HCA supplements. As of this writing, there are no known drug interactions with HCA. As always, make sure to consult with a licensed health care provider before taking hydroxycitric acid or any other dietary supplement or herbal remedy.


References

  • Badmaev V, Majeed M, Conte AA. Garcinia cambogia for weight loss. JAMA 1999;282:233-4.
  • Heymsfield SB, Allison DB, Vasselli JR, et al. Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1998;280:1596-600.
  • Martinet A, Hostettmann K, Schultz Y. Thermogenic effects of commercially available plant preparations aimed at treating human obesity. Phytomedicine 1999;6:231-8.
  • Mattes RD, Bormann L. Effects of (-)-hydroxycitric acid on appetitive variables. Physiol Behav 2000;71:87-94.
  • Sergio W. A natural food, Malabar tamarind, may be effective in the treatment of obesity. Med Hypotheses 1988;27:39-40.
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