What is Hoodia?

Discovered growing in the barren Kalahari desert region of Southern Africa, Hoodia Gordonii is at first impressions an unassuming common succulent plant (not a cactus!).

There are about 40 'members' of the Hoodia family, with the Hoodia Gordonii being recognized as having the most of the natural appetite suppressing qualities.

The Hoodia plant is a slow growing plant which grows in clumps of short upright stems, colored a pale green. It produces flowers of a particular scent that attracts the flies which help in pollinating it.

For thousands of years, the San tribes people of the Kalahari region have know about and used the Hoodia plant.

One of the World's oldest tribes (and today 100,000 strong), the San used the Hoodia on their long hunting trips to stave off hunger and lessen their thirst.

Cutting off a stem of Hoodia about the size of a cucumber, they would chew it over a few days, allowing the hunting party to find their prey and then return to camp with their entire catch - rather than have to eat it on their return journey.

Although the tribes people admit that they use all the species of Hoodia for controlling their appetites, the Gordonii is the species most mentioned - and during scientific analysis this has been confirmed.

 

Hoodia Common Names:

Hoodia; Queen of the Namib; African Hats; Milkweed; Xhoba.

Hoodia Flower:

Pink to maroon corona, 8-10cm diameter - unpleasant smell.

Hoodia Foliage:

Pale green to purple, branching stems with short woody tubercles that are sometimes pointed. Stems 5cm diameter, spiny.

Hoodia height:

Grows up to 45 cm in height.

 

Next ... Hoodia Gordonii history ...