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Hoodia gordonii (pronounced HOO-dee-ah) is also called hoodia, xhooba, khoba, Ghaap, hoodia cactus, and South African desert cactus. It’s actually not a true cactus at all, but rather is a succulent with sharp spines, that resembles a cactus.Hoodia is causing quite a stir for its ability to suppress appetite, thereby promoting weight loss. The CBS television news program, 60 Minutes, and the British network, BBC have already featured stories about Hoodia.Hoodia Gordonii can only be found in the semi-arid deserts of South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, and Angola. Hoodia grows in clumps of green upright stalks.It takes about five years, or more, before Hoodia’s pale purple flowers appear. After that time the plant can be eaten. Although there are at least 40 known varieties of Hoodia, only the Gordonii species is believed to contain the natural appetite suppressant.
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