- Region
- Africa
- Origin
- The Kalahari and Namaqualand, southern Africa
- Traditions
- Khoi and San knowledge of rooibos
Africa · Herb · № 808
Hoodia gordonii
Herb · Africa
Hoodia
Hoodia gordonii
A succulent whose stem the San chewed against hunger and thirst. Not proven as a slimming aid.
Safety notes
Can raise blood pressure and heart rate. Commercial supplements often contain little or no real hoodia. A protected species under CITES.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- African healing traditions: Not proven as a slimming aid; supplements are often adulterated. The knowledge belongs to the San.
Preparation
Traditionally a piece of the fresh stem was chewed.
Use in traditions
The San used hoodia on long hunting trips and for stomach ache. In 2003 the San concluded an agreement on the proceeds of a product based on their knowledge.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
African healing traditions
Attributed effects
San hunters chewed the stem against hunger and thirst on long journeys and used it for stomach ache.
Preparation and amount
A piece of fresh stem chewed. No dosage is given here.
Caution: Not proven as a slimming aid; supplements are often adulterated. The knowledge belongs to the San.