Green Coffee Bean - Promotes Weight Loss?

by Jennifer Viegas, Discovery News.

May 1, 2006— Coffee made out of green, unroasted coffee beans promotes weight loss, according to a new study on compounds that are naturally present in the beans.

The discovery mirrors earlier research on green tea, which was found to slightly increase metabolism and to speed up the body’s ability to burn fat. Green coffee appears to have a more potent effect.

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Sida Cordifolia A Small Shrub With A Big Punch

One weed. One shrub. Two invaluable Ayurvedic botanicals - Sida cordifolia and Tinospora cordifolia

Better Nutrition by James J. Gormley

Sida cordifolia–heart-shaped plant that actually helps the heart…and more

This thorny weed, related to the marsh mallow plant, called Sida cordifolia in Latin (with cordifolia referring to its heart-shaped leaves), is one of the most valuable botanicals in Ayurvedic Medicine, having been used by Hindu physicians since ancient times.

Other names for this astringent, tonic herb include: Khareti (Hind)); Country mallow; Marubakingojikuwa (Japanese); Kedong (Chinese); Ba-la (Tibetan); Kelulut pulih (Malaysian); and Arival (Tamil).

Used historically for its aphrodisiac effects, it is today brought to bear for spasmotic coughs and urinary infections. For fevers, the root has been mixed with ginger.

Traditionally, the plant has been used as an astringent, an antidote for scorpion stings and snake bites, and for: tuberculosis; chronic dysentery; rheumatism; gonorrhea; nervous, urinary, and cardiac diseases, A.A. Leslie Gunatilaka, and colleagues suggest in their paper that appeared in the Journal of Medicinal Plant Research (1980).

Non-human studies have pointed to this valuable weed’s antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties. Test-tube studies, in fact, have shown anti-cancer activity against nasopharyngeal (nose and pharynx) carcinoma.

The plant figures prominently in rasayana medicines, being a rejuvenating tonic herb appropriate for a wide variety of Vata disorders. Its traditional use in Ayurvedic Medicine as a cardiac stimulant and bronchodilator (helping to open constricted airway passages leading to the lungs) has often been associated with helping those suffering from asthma.

Rasayanas, or rejuvenators, also “build immunity, well-being, and vitality for the entire system,” suggest Peter Anselmo and James S. Brooks, M.D., in their 1996 book, Ayurvedic Secrets to Longevity Total Health.

Although there are about seven to eight species of “Bala,” Sanskrit writers only mention five species under the name “pancha bale”: Sida acuta, S. cordifolia, Sida racemosa, Sida rhombifolia, and Sida rhomboidea.

S. cordifolia’s cardiac-function-rejuvenating effects have been attributed to the presence of natural ephedrine (or an ephedrine-like compound) in the aerial parts of the plant. Nevertheless, it also contains: fatty oil, phytosterol, potassium nitrate, resin, resin acids, and alkaloids (nitrogenous organic compounds) — the main alkaloid being asparagin.

Supplementation with Sida Cordifolia.

Sida Cordifolia is a plant native to Northeast Brazil. It has been used in folk medicine for the treatment of inflammation, asthma, bronchitis, and nasal congestion. Research suggest that it has hypoglycaemic (blood lowering properties), anti-inflammatory, and analgesic (pain relieving properties) properties. Because the leaves of Sida cordifolia contain small amounts of both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine many nutritional companies have included it as a weight loss product.

Sida Cordifolia is marketed world wide as a weight loss supplement and a energy increasing supplement due to its ephedrine type effects, commonly favoured for use by bodybuilders “Sida” is a big seller in the supplement industry with many large companies developing sporty type packaged Sida products for sale and use by the sporting public. NaturalHealthLibrary recommends Healthspark Sida Cordifloia as a favourable option, recently launch Healthspark Sida is a potent 400mg of 4:1 extract. Each Healthspark Sida capsule contains the equivalent to 1600mg of Pure Sida Cordifolia. It’s definitely one to look out for if your a serious “Sida” user!