Is Garcinia Cambogia Common?

Print this articleGarcinia cambogia, little known in the United States until recently, is becoming more common in health-food stores as a weight-loss supplement. Its main active ingredient in extract or supplement form is hydroxycitric acid. The banning of ephedra in diet supplements due to reported fatalities has made ephedra-free herbs such as Garcinia cambogia more attractive in the weight-loss market. Garcinia cambogia is not native to North America, and is not common in the wild on this continent.

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Also known as Malabar tamarind, the Garcina cambogia tree is native to India and southeast Asia with a fruit similar to a pumpkin in appearance. Garcina cambogia seeds contain approximately 50 percent oil. Over a dozen weight-loss supplements containing extract of Garcina cambogia are on the market as of July 2011. Its active ingredient, hydroxycitric acid, is also found in other tropical native plants.

Uses

Garcinia cambogia is primarily marked for weight reduction, which raises medical concerns in pregnant women regarding fetal size and development. For that reason, pregnant women or those trying to conceive should not take Garcinia cambogia. Because of the demand for weight-loss products, new supplements frequently appear on the market, many with anecdotal claims about efficacy. However, at the time of publication, there is no data confirming that Garcinia cambogia is effective for weight-loss purposes.

Contraindications

According to warnings on product labels, diabetic patients should not take Garcinia cambogia supplements. Pregnant or nursing women should also avoid it. Caregivers should not allow patients with dementia or Alzheimer's to consume Garcinia cambogia. Patients taking cardiac medication, including calcium-channel blockers, glycosides or any type of anti-arrhythmics should not ingest this supplement. According to the National Institutes of Health, there are no studies in available literature concerning these safety issues. As with any over-the-counter supplement, consumers should consult a physician before trying the product. People seeking to lose weight should also contact a health care provider about feasible choices in their individual situation.

Studies

At the time of publication, no clinical human studies substantiate the weight-loss claims made by Garcinia cambogia proponents. Several very limited trials did not include placebo groups or consisted of a small number of participants. In a three-month 1998 double-blind clinical trial with 42 patients and a placebo-controlled group, those taking 3,000 milligrams of Garcinia cambogia daily did not experience notable weight loss or loss of fat mass than those taking the placebo.

ReferencesNational Institutes of Health: Garcinia cambogia ExtractAustralian New Crops: Garcinia cambogiaNational Center for Biotechnology Information: The antiulcer activity of Garcinia cambogia extract against indomethacin-induced Gastric Ulcer in Rats.Web MD: Over-the-Counter and Herbal Remedies for Weight LossRead Next:

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How to Grow Garcinia Cambogia Fruit

Print this articleGarcinia cambogia, also known as gambooge, grindleberry or Malabar tamarind, is a tropical evergreen tree. The trees grow naturally in India and Asia and produce sweet, pumpkin-shaped fruits. The fruits, in turn, produce resin that is used as an appetite suppressant in alternative medicine. The fruits themselves also add flavor and spice to Asian and Indian dishes. If you want to grow this tropical tree for yourself, do so in a large pot and keep the tree indoors for temperature control.

Related Searches:Difficulty:Moderately EasyInstructions Things You'll Need20-gallon potGravelOrganic compostGarden loam/potting soilSpray bottleSuggest Edits1

Start the Garcinia cambogia tree in spring for warmth and sunshine. Prepare a heavy 20-gallon pot with drainage holes for long-term growing. These trees reach over 10 to 15 feet in height, even in pots.

2

Mix your own potting soil with 1 part garden or potting soil to 1 part organic compost. These trees hail from rainforests and require the rich, crumbly and moist foundation of that environment. Lay 2 inches of gravel in the bottom of the pot, then fill the pot two-thirds full of potting mixture. Don't use soil from the garden, as it may bring weeds and disease into the pot.

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Set the Garcinia cambogia tree's roots on the soil and pack more potting mixture over and around them. Plant the tree up to its crown and leave at least 3 inches of space between the soil surface and the top of the pot.

4

Put the tree in a site with full, bright sun and temperatures of 70 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit. These trees prefer hot, humid weather. Water the tree with 3 to 4 inches of water every week and spray the tree with water at every watering to maintain good humidity. Keep the tree outdoors during the height of summer but move it into the protection of the house well before any frost occurs.

Tips & Warnings

Garcinia cambogia fruit grows during the summer and attains yellow, red or purple coloration at maturity. This fruit is not edible raw, and requires baking and cooking.

Any fruiting tree requires at least 3 years of growth to produce its first fruit.

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ReferencesHerbal Organics: Brindal Berry or GamboogeGarciniaCambogia.net: Garcinia CambogiaDrvikrama's Friendly Holistic Herbalist: Garcinia CambogiaCalifornia Rare Fruit Growers, Inc.: Growing Fruit Crops in ContainersRead Next:

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