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Before we get to the herbs that speed up metabolism, let’s look at what metabolism does. Metabolism refers to an entire set of chemical reactions that inner and outer substances undergo inside the body. It consists of two simultaneous and opposed processes:
- Anabolism – The synthesis of organic products to store reserves.
- Catabolism – Disintegration of stored products to obtain the energy needed to keep life going.
Hormones regulate metabolic processes, especially those produced by the thyroid and pancreas. Medicinal herbs act on both endocrine glands: on the thyroid by increasing or decreasing its activity and on the pancreas by enhancing insulin production, which reduces the sugar level in the blood.
As a result of metabolic activity, toxic substances are produced, and these substances must be eliminated. Most of them have an acid reaction, such as uric acid and urea. Depurative medicinal herbs help the body eliminate the critical amount of metabolic waste that is continuously produced. These substances are mainly eliminated through urine and sweat.
OBESITY is one of the most common metabolic disorders and can be treated with the following herbs that speed up metabolism:
- Sedative, which eliminates the anxiety usually related to obesity and produces the urge to eat in a non-controlled way.
- Appetite reducers—Plants with these properties lack side effects like synthetic anorexigenics derived from amphetamines. These plants are rich in mucilage, such as algae, and can absorb much water in the stomach. This way, they increase their volume and produce a sensation of being complete by using a purely physical mechanism. They are taken before meals or whenever you want to eliminate the feeling of being hungry.
- Diuretic – Herbs that speed up metabolism help to avoid the retention of liquids, which usually occurs in the case of obesity. Losing weight by eliminating fluids using chemical diuretic substances is not recommended as some weight-loss treatments do. This caused imbalances in the composition of organic liquids and electrolytes, which can be used as weight-loss treatments. Besides eliminating water and making one lose weight. They support the elimination of waste materials from the body.
Top Natural Herbs That Speed up Metabolism
Remineralizing Herbs
These herbs provide minerals and trace elements, thus restoring the body’s mineral balance.
Antiscorbutic Herbs
These plants are suitable for fighting scurvy because of their high vitamin C content. This vitamin is only found in fresh fruits and vegetables. Animal meats do not contain any vitamin C. Scurvy is an ailment caused by a lack of vitamin C. Though, at present, this ailment is scarce in developed countries, there may be a hidden lack of this vitamin.
Alkalizing Herbs
These plants produce an alkalinization of organic fluids, especially the blood and urine. In human metabolism, and mainly when the diet is rich in meat, an excess of toxic acid substances like uric acid occurs, and these substances must be eliminated. Alkalinization herbs are thus valuable since they neutralize and promote the elimination of this excess of harmful acids. When alkalinizing the urine, these plants promote the elimination of uric sediments (sand) and prevent stone formation.
Using herbs to speed up metabolism renders excellent results in treating obesity if complemented with a good diet.
Top Metabolic Disorders
Malnutrition
A minimal intake of nutrients, a lack of assimilation, or excessive consumption can produce this condition. Natural herbs and foods rich in nutrients, such as alfalfa or spirulina, promote their assimilation using a general invigoration of the body and digestive processes, such as nettle or sea buckthorn.
Top Herbs for Malnutrition
Weight Loss
Spontaneous weight loss without a definite cause is a worrying symptom that should always prompt a doctor’s consultation. Once the cause of weight loss is known, one or several of these plants, which supply plenty of nutrients and promote their assimilation, can be administered.
Herbs for Weight Loss
Obesity
Phytotherapy complements the dietetic treatment of obesity by employing plants that reduce appetite, activate the metabolism, increase the assimilation of ingested calories, and promote the elimination of retained liquids (diuretic).
Herbs for Obesity
Depurative Treatment
Although depurative treatments can be performed in any season, in northern countries, the traditional habit is to start them when spring begins. During winter, diets lack fruit and fresh vegetables, so the body accumulates metabolic waste, which can be eliminated by depurative treatment with one or several of these plants.
The result is very effective in eczema, gout, obesity, etc. Depurative treatments must last for a minimum of three days, though it would be ideal to take them for one week. A vegetable-light diet and fruit, vegetable, and medicinal herb juices should be followed during the treatment.
Depurative Treatment Herbs
Gout
This condition results from increased uric acid in the blood and its deposit on the joints (uric arthritis or arthritis) and renal tissues. Gout primarily affects males, and its most distinguishing symptom is a painful swelling of the toe joint, though it can also impact additional joints. The following medicinal herbs eliminate uric acid through urine because of their uricosuric diuretic properties.
Herbs for Gout
Bulimia
This endless hunger is usually provoked by anxiety or other nervous disorders. Phytotherapeutic treatment consists of sedative plants that produce a full stomach sensation, such as fucus and kelp (algae).
Herbs for Bulimia
A lack of insulin causes this disorder in carbohydrate metabolism. This hormone, produced in the pancreas, makes the sugar in the blood pass into the cells, where it can be metabolized. These medicinal herbs should only be considered a complement to treating diabetes. Their action may improve and sometimes replace that of the diabetic medicines taken orally. While taking hypoglycemic plants like these, the patient must undergo periodic controls regarding the blood sugar level, as with any other antidiabetic treatment.
Herbs for Diabetes
Hyperthyroidism
This condition is an increased thyroid function, which produces tyrosine, a hormone.
Hyperthyroidism Herbs
Hypothyroidism
As opposed to hyperthyroidism, in both cases, plants are only a complement to the treatment.
Hypothyroidism Herbs
Saxifrage is an excellent diuretic plant that promotes the dissolution of urine stones because it can alkalinize the urine.
DISCLAIMER: All content on this website is presented solely for educational and informational objectives. Do not rely on the information provided as a replacement for advice, diagnosis, or treatment from a qualified medical expert. If you are pregnant, nursing, or have any preexisting medical concerns, talk to your doctor before using any herbal or natural medicines.
REFERENCES
- George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. “Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants.” George D. Pamplona-Roger, M.D. Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants. Ed. Francesc X. Gelabert. vols. 2 San Fernando de Henares: Editorial Safeliz, 2000. 644, 645. Print. [herbs that speed up metabolism]
- https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/weight-loss-herbs
- https://www.medicinenet.com/15_herbs_that_can_help_you_lose_weight/article.htm