Diet and Weight Loss Tonic In Europe and South America, Yerba Mate is considered "the ideal slimming remedy" which facilitates losing weight in a natural way and stills the distressing feeling of hunger and thirst. Its richness in vitamins and minerals also makes it a nutritious beverage. This formula contains other herbs which also have the reputation of assisting in diet and weight loss programs while also providing valuable nutrients the body requires.

Contents: Brazilian Yerba Mate leaf, Plantain leaf, Bladderwrack sea vegetable, Burdock root, Fresh Nettle Leaf, Dandelion root and leaf, Licorice Root, Fennel seed, Indian Turmeric rhizome, Cascara Sagrada bark and Hawthorn berry in a base containing concentrated Alfalfa leaf extract. 20 to 45 drops 2-4 times daily. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

Ingredient descriptions:

Brazilian Yerba Mate leaf (Ilex paraguariensis)aka Yerba Mate

Actions: Tonic, stimulant, diuretic.

Common Uses: Mental and physical fatigue. Based on its caffeine content, Mate is used as a centrally acting stimulant and as a diuretic. Since Mate tea is greatly appreciated throughout much of South America as a "national drink", the people ascribe many other effects to it. It is not surprising then that in Europe as well Mate is praised as "the green gold of the Indios", as a "natural remedy and magic drink" and especially as "the ideal slimming remedy" which facilitates losing weight in a natural way and stills the distressing feeling of hunger and thirst. Its richness in natural mineral salts - calcium, magnesium, iron, manganese, silica, phosphates - as well as vitamins, adds greatly to its usefulness as a beverage.

Plantain leaf (Plantago major)

Actions: Expectorant, demulcent, astringent, diuretic.

Common Use: Russian research on Plantain has found that the plants cholesterol reducing property and its relation to weight loss may depend not only on its mucilage, (mucilage in the diet has been shown to reduce serum cholesterol levels) but also on certain polyphenol compounds found in the leaves. The research concluded that Plantain appears to assist in weight loss by limiting calorie intake, due to its appetite-satiating effect, and by reduced intestinal absorption of lipids.

Kelp (Laminaria species) or Bladderwrack (Fucus vesiculosus)

Actions: Alterative, antirheumatic, antibacterial, antibiotic, cardiac tonic, antioxidant.

Common Uses: One of the richest sources of micro-nutrition, minerals, and trace minerals, kelp is especially high in iodine and potassium. It has proved most useful in the activation of underactive thyroid function and for alkalizing blood chemistry. The extensive research done on this remarkable seaweed has shown it to haveantibiotic, antioxidant and antibacterial properties. Kelp also has the ability to protect against environmental toxins, increase circulation and help lower cholesterol, among other benefits.

Burdock Root (Arctium lappa)

Actions: Alterative, depurative, diuretic, bitter, tonic.

Common Use: This root is well known for its blood cleansing properties and is used in innumerable herbal medicines and blood remedies. Experiments on burdock have shown it to lower blood sugar, and destroy fungal and bacteria cultures.Japanese researchers at Nagoya University found in burdock (aka Gobo root in Japan) a new type of desmutagen, a substance that is uniquely capable of reducing cell mutation in either the absence or the presence of metabolic activation. This new property is so important, the Japanese scientists named it the B-factor for "burdock factor." In general, it is claimed burdock will help restore the body to a state of integration and health. Burdock is also included in the Hoxsey formula and Rene Caisse's Essiac formula.

Fresh Nettle Leaf (Urtica dioica)

Actions: Alterative, nutritive, astringent, diuretic, tonic.

Common Use: Nettles are one of the most widely applicable plants available. They can effect a wide range of problems and act as an excellent general detoxifying remedy and whole body tonic. Nettles are a rich source of trace elements, absorbing and accumulating them. Because of their rich nutritional content, (this includes minerals, vitamins, iron and chlorophyll) they have traditionally been used for anemia, exhaustion, debility and to help people recuperate. The high content of silicon present has made nettles highly beneficial in stimulating hair growth and improving the condition of the hair and especially the skin.

Dandelion Root (Taraxacum officinale)

Actions: Diuretic, cholagogue, antirheumatic, laxative, hepatic, depurative.

Common Use: The blood cleansing properties of this simple plant, and its stimulating effect on the stomach, liver and bowels, make it a very valuable plant for all disorders of this kind. Dandelion is also one of the highest natural sources of potassium, as well as numerous other vitamins and minerals. This herb is a most valuable general tonic and perhaps the best widely applicable diuretic and liver tonic available.

Licorice Root (Glycyrrhiza glabra)

Actions: Expectorant, demulcent, anti-inflammatory, adrenal agent, antispasmodic, mild laxative, alterative, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antitoxic, tonic, pectoral.

Common Use: In China, licorice root has been called "The Great Detoxifier." It acts on the endocrine system and the liver as an anti-hepatotoxic. Also as an expectorant and anti-inflammatory it may be useful in coughs and bronchitis. A recent study found that licorice root actually stimulates the production of interferon, that critical chemical in the immune system that could benefit the body in response to many immune response deficiencies.Licorice Root also possesses estrogenic activity, and is said to be beneficial as a uterine tonic and to induce normal ovulation. This herb is also included in the Hoxsey formula. 5 to 30 drops 2-3 times daily. Caution: Excessive and prolonged use of licorice root can cause sodium retention and potassium depletion. Potassium supplementation (75-100mg daily) prevents this problem. Not recommended if nursing or pregnant.

Fennel Seed (Foeniculum vulgare)

Actions: Carminative, aromatic, antispasmatic, stimulant, stomachic, rubefacient, galactogogue, expectorant.

Common Use: An excellent stomach and intestinal remedy which relieves flatulence and colic while also stimulating the digestion and appetite. Also used to calm bronchitis and coughs and stimulate milk flow in nursing mothers.

Indian Turmeric rhizome (Curcumin longa)

Actions: Cholagogue, hepatic, stomachic, carminative, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial.

Common Uses: Turmeric is an essential flavoring ingredient in many Indian and other ethnic cuisines, it provides the yellow color of many curry dishes and helps to render the food more digestible. Studies on Turmeric have shown that the herb possesses cholagogue-type substances which increase the secretions of bile. Most prominent among these substances is curcumin. Curcumin possesses liver protective activity, detoxifying dangerous carcinogens, stimulating the gall-bladder and acting as a free-radical scavenger. It has also been suggested that Turmeric lowers blood cholesterol, helps with weight loss and inhibits platelet aggregation. Turmeric has long been used in folk medicine.

Cascara Sagrada aged bark (Rhamnus purshiana)

Actions: Gentle laxative, bitter tonic, hepatic, mild purgative.

Common Use: Considered one of the most useful among the popular botanical laxatives, cascara's mild and yet effective action on the bowels makes it a favored mild laxative. It acts by increasing the muscular action of the intestines, toning and cleansing them. This herb is also included in the Hoxsey formula.

Hawthorn berry (Crataegus sp.)

Actions: Cardiac tonic, hypotensive.

Common Use: Hawthorn berries provide us with one of the best tonic remedies for the heart and circulatory system, they act in a normalizing way upon the heart by either stimulating or depressing its activity, depending on the need. In other words, hawthorn berries will move the heart to normal function in a gentle way. For best results hawthorn is recommended to be taken for 6-12 months consecutively. Inform your doctor of your hawthorn berry use if taking Digitalis medication.

Alfalfa whole herb and leaf (Medicago sativa)

Actions: Nutritive, tonic, alterative, depurative.

Common Uses: Alfalfa leaves are a very rich source of many valuable nutrients including protein, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, all the known vitamins, trace minerals, carotene, chlorophyll and more. It is helpful for every condition of the body whether it be maintaining or regaining health.