![15 Herbs That Can Help You Lose Weight](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/what-are-the-health-benefits-of-taking-fenugreek-and-are-there-any-side-effects.jpg?output-quality=75)
What you eat significantly impacts how much weight you lose or gain, but you may not know that many herbs and spices may help with your weight loss journey.
Research reports that certain herbs and spices are the best way to add flavor to food for no extra calories, sugar, sodium, or other junk. This is critical when you are trying to lose weight.
How are herbs and spices used?
Herbs and spices can deliver a surge of health benefits with minimal risk of adverse effects when used as a seasoning or flavoring agent for foods. However, do not overdo it.
Limit yourself to one tablespoon (14 grams) per day and consume by mixing them with nutrient-dense whole foods to help you lose a substantial amount of weight.
If you are taking herbs as a supplement, adhere to the recommended dosages to avoid any unnecessary effects.
Speak to a health professional before taking any supplement if you have any underlying health concerns, including pregnancy and lactation, or are on any medications.
In addition, if you have any unpleasant side effects or signs of a food allergy, stop using it immediately and consult a trusted healthcare professional.
15 herbs to help you lose weight
The following herbs and spices may help you lose weight by boosting your metabolism, enhancing fat burning, and reducing hunger:
- Turmeric
- Contains curcumin that may help the body burn fat by increasing heat, which, in turn, can help boost metabolism.
- Has a host of other health benefits, from helping fight Alzheimer's disease to keeping hormones in check during menses.
- Add turmeric to soups or stews or sprinkle it over roasted veggies or nuts.
- Cinnamon
- Made from the inner bark of cinnamon trees.
- Is loaded with antioxidants, has a range of health benefits, and balances blood sugar, helping to curb cravings and keeping you feeling full for longer.
- Contains a compound that mimics the effects of insulin, assisting in the transfer of sugar from the bloodstream to the cells.
- May slow the breakdown of carbs by reducing the amount of certain digestive enzymes.
- Sprinkle some cinnamon in oatmeal, cottage cheese, plain yogurt, or your favorite brew to make a more fragrant tea.
- Fenugreek
- Made from Trigonella foenum-graecum, a legume plant.
- Several studies have reported that fenugreek can help control appetite and reduce food consumption, resulting in weight loss.
- Cayenne pepper
- Contains a compound called capsaicin, which gives cayenne pepper its spiciness and provides various health benefits.
- Works by raising body temperature, helping to boost metabolism, and burning more calories.
- A study reported that eating a meal containing capsaicin decreased ghrelin levels, the hormone that promotes hunger.
- Try sprinkling cayenne on roasted nuts or in soups, scrambled eggs, or homemade dressings or dips.
- Cumin
- Made from the seeds of the flowering plant Cuminum cyminum, which is part of the parsley family.
- Has a nutty flavor and several health benefits, including speeding up weight loss and fat burning.
- According to a recent study conducted on overweight women, one teaspoon added to one of the meals per day helped burn up to three times more body fat.
- Try it in soups, stews, dressings, dips, stir-fries, rubs, marinades, and flatbreads, and other savory baked goods.
- Ginger
- Is the rhizome (the main stem) of the blooming ginger plant, Zingiber officinale, which is commonly used in traditional medicine as a natural cure for various ailments.
- Helps control blood sugar and prevent a spike in glucose levels after a sugar or carb-rich meal.
- Have the same fat-burning or thermogenic properties as turmeric and cayenne.
- Grate fresh ginger into stir-fries, baked fish, fruit salad, or tea.
- Oregano
- Is a perennial herb related to mint, thyme, sage, basil, and rosemary.
- Contains carvacrol, a potent substance that may aid weight loss by directly affecting some proteins and genes that regulate fat synthesis in the body.
- Ginseng
- Used in traditional Chinese medicine for its health-promoting properties and classified into Chinese, Korean, and American; all are members of the same genus of ginseng plants.
- An animal study reported that ginseng helped lose weight by changing fat production and slowing fat absorption. However, more high-quality, large-scale studies on ginseng’s effect on weight reduction in humans are needed.
- Garlic
- Is usually added as a flavor-inducing ingredient in most dishes, causes bad breath, and has fat-burning properties.
- The pungent flavor of garlic makes food tastier, helps the body burn fat, increases immunity, and boosts metabolism.
- Black pepper
- Made from the dried fruit of Piper nigrum, an Indian flowering vine.
- Contains piperine, a potent compound that gives it its intense flavor and potential weight-loss and fat-burning properties.
- Blocks the formation of new fat cells, which can help prevent weight gain.
- Add black pepper to just about everything you eat, such as yogurt, cottage cheese, and oatmeal.
- Cardamom
- Is a highly valued spice derived from the seeds of a ginger-related plant.
- Possesses thermogenic properties that help boost body temperature and metabolism.
- Can be mixed with nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger for a homemade curry blend or tea. Add some of this citrusy spice to baked goods, coffee, or game meats, such as lamb.
- Caralluma fimbriata
- Is a common ingredient in diet pills and can work by raising serotonin levels, a neurotransmitter that impacts appetite.
- Reduces appetite and thus, aids in weight loss.
- Gymnema sylvestre
- Is a slightly bitter herb and is often used as a natural blood-sugar-lowering treatment.
- Contains a compound called gymnemic acid, which can help lessen the perceived sweetness of foods, reducing sugar cravings.
- Green coffee bean extract
- Produced from unroasted coffee beans and has a lot of chlorogenic acids, which help lose weight.
- Dandelions
![](https://images.medicinenet.com//images/slideshow/foods-that-arent-as-healthy-as-you-think/foods-that-arent-as-healthy-as-you-think-s1-bulletproof-coffee.jpg)
SLIDESHOW
Foods That Aren't as Healthy as You Think See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
13 Herbs And Spices Scientifically Proven To Help You Lose Weight. https://www.prevention.com/weight-loss/a20493821/herbs-and-spices-for-weight-loss/
Using Herbal Remedies to Maintain Optimal Weight. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2927017/
Top 15 Herbs That Can Help You Lose Weight Related Articles
Cut Daily Calories
When you want to lose weight, you’ll probably need to find a way to eat fewer calories. Try these tips to trim them from your diet without feeling hungry all the time.Diet & Weight Loss: Reasons You're Not Losing Belly Fat
If you're trying to lose belly fat but can't, there's probably a reason.Fasting
Fasting: It's simple and trending, though it's been around for thousands of years. Find out whether it might be a good option for you, and what the risks and benefits are.How Do I Figure out a Healthy Calorie Deficit for Weight Loss?
Healthy weight loss is a product of lifestyle. If you want to lose a pound or two in a week, you should eat 500 to 1000 calories less than your regular intake.Obesity and Overweight
Get the facts on obesity and being overweight, including the health risks, causes, reviews of weight-loss diet plans, BMI chart, symptoms, causes, surgical and nonsurgical treatments, and medications.The 10 Best Diet Plans For Weight Loss
Diet means a reduction in calorie intake. For the optimal management of overweight and obese patients, a combination of diet, exercise, and behavioral modifications may be helpful. Weight loss is directly related to the difference between the individual’s energy intake and energy expenditure.What Are the Most Effective Tips in Weight Loss?
If you want to lose weight, you may have been told to count calories. The most effective tips for weight loss include eating well, exercising regularly, and altering your lifestyle to achieve your goals.What Is the Best Herb for Lowering Blood Sugar?
Many herbs have been studied for their medicinal properties. Most studies show that the best herb for diabetes is barberry.What Is the Best Weight Loss Plan for Seniors?
Persistent goals and making small adjustments in lifestyle and diet are the best weight loss plans for seniors.What Should I Ask My Doctor About Weight Loss?
With changes in lifestyle and standards of living, obesity is emerging as a pandemic. A higher than normal body weight puts you at risk of various diseases. Learn the 11 questions you should ask your doctor if you are planning to lose weight.Vitamins and Supplements: What to Know Before You Take Herbal Supplements
Not all herbs and supplements are safe, especially if you have certain medical conditions or take some drugs. Find out which ones you may need to skip with the help of this WebMD slideshow.