The Hoodia gordonii plant is classified as a succulent, which is a botanical that is similar to a cactus, but produces flowers. Growing to a maximum of 6 feet in height, pollination of the Hoodia plant is carried out by flies that are attracted to the unpleasant smell of its flowers.
The Hoodia cactus takes approximately 5 years to harvest. It is called Xhoba by the San people of the Kalahari, while Hoodia gordonii is the common plant name. Native to the semi-arid regions of South Africa , the Hoodia gordonii cactus has been traditionally used for many years by the San Bushmen of the Kalahari as an appetite suppressant. Its ability in controlling appetite by eating the flesh from its stem is what makes Hoodia gordonii so popular today.
How Hoodia works?
Hoodia works to suppress your appetite by signaling your brain that you are full. Hoodia may even stop you from thinking about food for longer periods of time, resulting in a reduction in the volume of food intake and weight loss.
There is a part of the brain called the hypothalamus that governs your hunger. When you eat your blood sugar goes up, the nerve cells in the hypothalamus sense the glucose sugar and start firing and you now feel full.
South African Scientists identified a powerful molecule in the Hoodia gordonii plant that they called P57. They discovered that P57 is similar to glucose, but 10,000 times stronger. When Hoodia is taken, it makes the nerve cells in the hypothalamus fire as if you have just eaten, tricking your body into believing that it is full.
The Hoodia gordonii plant is classified as a succulent, which is a botanical that is similar to a cactus, but produces flowers. Growing to a maximum of 6 feet in height, pollination of the Hoodia plant is carried out by flies that are attracted to the unpleasant smell of its flowers. 
