The Asian culture is known to be rich in traditional medicinal practices, thanks to the numerous herbs that grow widely and even wildly across its lands. From headaches to digestive problems, there sure is an herbal remedy for that. And of course, there are herbs to help with weight loss too, especially for those who want to burn belly fat.

1. Gobo

This is popular Japanese herb which has been used in traditional medicine for a variety of symptoms and conditions. It can grow up to six feet in height, with leaves extending from the ground level. The leaves are oval and shaped like hearts. Each leaf can measure up to two inches long. The stems can look red or deep green, and young stems are covered in small and white soft hairs. As the plant matures, these hairs disappear, revealing smooth stems.

This is a flowering plant and can be identified with its reddish flowers. Its scientific name is Arctium lappa, and it is native to Middle East Countries, as well as to China and Japan. It can also be found in other part of Europe such the Scandinavia, Mediterranean, British Isles, and Russia.

This herb helps burn belly fat through its active ingredients, inulin, glucoside-lappin, and mucilage. This plant’s other benefits include purification of the blood through the respiratory, urinary, and lymphatic systems. It also helps ease skin conditions such as eczema, psoriasis, and acne. It is used as a treatment for sore throat, cold, flu, and fever because of its rich zinc content.

Scientific studies have also proven that this plant has anti-cancer properties, due to its compound called Arctigenin. It is also beneficial to people experiencing hair loss since its fatty acids and vitamin content help in promoting hair growth and in scalp conditioning too.

The benefits also extend to cardiovascular health. The plant’s active ingredient, inulin, can reduce cholesterol level and hence lower of risk of cardiovascular disease. It also strengthens the immune system through its detoxifying properties, lowers blood sugar, treats fungal infection, treats kidney stones and gallstones, and helps the liver function better.

Its leaves, flowers, seeds, stems, and roots can all be used in herbal medicine. This plant is also eaten in many Asian countries.

2. Pasak Bumi

This plant is a popular aphrodisiac especially among men, but can also be used as a weight loss agent. It is slender, and can grow really long, even as long as 10 meters. Its scientific name is Eurycoma longifolia, and it is said to have originated from Southeast Asian countries namely Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Philippines. At present, it is already becoming popular in Western countries.

The main ingredient that makes this plant able to burn belly fat is the eurycomanone, and it does so by increasing the testosterone level in person’s body. Along with the increase of the testosterone level is the decrease of the prolactin level. Prolactin affects the body’s ability to gain, maintain, or lose weight, and decreasing this hormone’s amount in the body can help in weight loss.

Aside from helping burn body fat, this herb has a lot of other uses, and perhaps its most popular use is that which helps enhance libido and endurance. The increase in libido and stamina is also caused by the increase of the testosterone level in the body. It also helps increase sperm count and quality, provide more powerful ejaculations, and as a result, it helps increase fertility. Because of being able to balance hormones, this herb also works great as an energy booster. If you are seeking to have stronger bones, it can also be of help because the increase in testosterone can decrease one’s risk of osteoporosis.

Another benefit of this plant is that it reduces cortisol. Cortisol is the body’s main stress hormone, and is released every time a person is under stress. Because this plant decreases cortisol level, it then helps ease tension, anger, and anxiety.

Studies have also shown that this herb helps regulate blood sugar, and is beneficial to patients with type II diabetes. It also has anti-cancer properties and was found to have strong cytotoxicity towards lung and breast cancer cells. This herb also helps in body building by increasing muscle mass and burning unwanted fat.

3. Green Tea

You may be drinking green tea for pleasure, but it doesn’t hurt to know that it is also packed with many antioxidants and can eve help burn belly fat! It is made from a shrub that can reach up to 25 feet in height if allowed to grow wild. It has leaves that are dark green in color, and they appear to have ridges. It also has a flower that is usually white in color, and its fruit looks pretty much like a hazelnut.

This plant is scientifically known as the Camellia sinensis, and its origins can be traced back in Asian countries, particularly in China, India, Japan, Sri Lanka, and Taiwan. It is now grown in other countries in world which include Indonesia, Turkey, Kenya, Argentina, and Brazil. The active ingredient that helps this herb aid in weight loss and fat burn is the EGCG or Epigallocatechin gallate, which does the job by boosting one’s metabolism. EGCG helps increase the hormone norepinephrine. This hormone sends signal to fat cells in order to break down fat. More of this hormone would also mean more fat to be burned.

Aside from helping in weight loss, this wonderful plant also helps the body in a lot of other ways. First of all, it is very rich in antioxidants that are necessary in combating the free radicals in our bodies. It also has high levels of flavonoids which help fight viruses, prevent cancer, prevent inflammation, and soothe allergies. Second, it helps regulate mood, eases anxiety, and promotes relaxation. The l-theanine in this plant does this mood-elevating task by increasing Alpha waves in the brain.

These Alpha waves are considered as indicators of relaxation. Other benefits of this plant include good heart, stomach, and oral health, and cholesterol control.

Luckily, although these herbs originated in Asia, they can now be accessed in other parts of the world. Practically no matter where you are, these herbs can help you burn that belly fat.

About the Author

This is a guest article written by Simon Harrison. You can check out his profile on Huffington Post.