Hoodia Gordonii is the botanical name for a leafless, spiky succulent which grows naturally in South Africa. Known to the local indigenous tribes as "Ghaap" or "Xhoba" there are reportedly 30 species of Hoodia and only 2 that contain the appetite suppressant qualities that people seek after.

Hoodia is registered as a protected species to prevent Bio-Piracy but is allowed to be grown on a handful of commercial farms in South Africa owned by private farmers, as well as the farms operated by Phytopharm and the CSIR.

In the wild Hoodia Gordonii takes 5-6 years to mature but is now being cultivated in as little as 2-3 years commercially in sustainable quantities and has become widely known for its effects as an appetite suppressant.

Hoodia (who dee uh) - A plant used by the San Tribesmen of the Kalahari Desert to stave off hunger and is fed to their children who “eat too much” .  It is marketed online as the "Miracle Cactus" with no harmful side effects.   At a Leicester trial, 19 overweight people were given unlimited access to food and drink. Those who were given pure Hoodia Gordonii succulent before each meal ate 1,000 fewer calories a day than the rest.

Many people worldwide are at risk from conditions related to obesity, such as heart disease and diabetes.  Hoodia research with subjects has shown the reduction of appetite along with a reduced caloric intake.  A person with little willpower to control overeating can find that they no longer feel hungry.  Hoodia may well be a dieter's dream come true in that it fools the brain into thinking it has already consumed food and feels full and satisfied.