| sands of herbs are available worldwide for a dizzying | | | | is a good idea, though, because they can lead to |
| array of diseases and disorders. And consumers are | | | | life-threatening dehydration and mineral imbalances. |
| sold on them: A recent survey found that one in | | | | Some herbs, however, may offer a gentler solution. |
| three people spends an average of $54 a year on | | | | Most of the herbs promoted for weight loss are |
| herbal remedies. | | | | diuretics agents that cause the kidneys to draw |
| Without question, herbs do work wonders in treating | | | | extra water from the blood into the urine and |
| many illnesses and improving health. But herbal | | | | stimulate the excretion of water. This action |
| medicine has a far less effective track record when it | | | | promotes temporary water loss. There's certainly |
| comes to weight control. Only one herb ephedra is | | | | nothing wrong with regulating water weight by using |
| believed to directly promote fat-burning, but its | | | | herbs, as long as you use them on a short-term basis |
| dangerous side effects make it unsafe and unwise to | | | | and with the full knowledge of your physician. In |
| use. | | | | most cases, herbal diuretics are safer than their |
| There is one particular aspect of your weight you | | | | prescription counterparts. But long-term use of either |
| can control to some extent by supplementing with | | | | can flush vital nutrients from the body and cause |
| herbs, and that is water weight. Let's say you weigh | | | | irreparable harm. |
| 150 pounds. About ninety of those pounds are water; | | | | Other weight-loss herbs are really nothing more than |
| thirty are fat. The rest is lean tissue muscles, organs, | | | | laxatives, which also force water from the body. It's |
| and bones. So normally, most of your body weight is | | | | much healthier to follow a high-fiber diet and drink |
| water. Sometimes you may retain water. You look | | | | plenty of pure water daily than to rely on laxatives |
| and feel fat, even though you may have lost a | | | | for elimination. Prolonged used of laxatives and |
| significant amount of body fat. Some days, you can't | | | | diuretics, even natural ones, can lead to dependence |
| even fit into clothes you wore the week before! | | | | and serious health problems. |
| Puffiness does masquerade as pudge. Disheartening | | | | What follows is a discussion of forty-three herbs |
| and uncomfortable, periodic bouts of water retention, | | | | commonly promoted as diet aids. In most cases, |
| medically known as edema, may be the result of any | | | | these herbs are found in natural weight-loss |
| number of factors: excess sodium in the diet, food | | | | supplements in minute amounts, mainly as fillers. In |
| allergies, premenstrual changes, hormone imbalances, | | | | others, they are single-or multiherb formulas, available |
| a hot climate, and kidney or heart disease. If you're | | | | as capsules, compressed tablets, liquids, extracts, or |
| chronically plagued by edema, have it checked out by | | | | teas. It's a good practice to read the list of |
| your doctor. | | | | ingredients on any natural weight-loss supplement |
| You can lose some of that fluid by taking a | | | | carefully. The information below will help you make |
| prescription "water pill" (diuretic) or by forcing | | | | informed decisions about specific products. |
| yourself to sweat in a sauna or steam bath. Neither | | | | |