What is Caralluma Fimbriata
The Introduction Of Caralluma Fimbriata
Caralluma Fimbriata is a succulent plant, from the Apocynaceae family, which is mostly found South East Asia, in countries such as India, Tibet, and China. The plant’s fleshy flowers are mostly found in black, purple, yellow, or red colors in the autumn or summer season, and can be distinguished by their star shape. Furthermore, the leaves of this plant have a tendency to be spiny in nature and the plants themselves grow only till about 8 inches in height. Apart from South East Asia, these plants can also be seen in Africa, India, the Canary Islands, southern Europe, Arabia, and Afghanistan. The fundamental phytochemical components of the herb are pregnane glycosides, flavone glycosides, megastigmane glycosides, and saponins. Not surprisingly, rural Indians have been consuming this plant for a long time now, as either raw or as vegetables with spices. In addition to this, this plant can be found preserved in chutneys and pickles. You can also spot this plant on the side of a road or a boundary marker. The plant has been in use as a naturally occurring appetite suppressant for centuries.
The recent growth in fame of cactus-like and succulent plants can be directly attributed to their weight loss properties and their ability to lower blood sugar. For instance, supplements containing extracts from the popular Hoodia Gordonii cactus from the Kalahari Desert of Africa are being increasingly used in the U.S. and Europe. Similar to Hoodia Gordonii, Caralluma has also been used for suppressing appetite, and even as hunting food. The Caralluma extract is drawn from the stem or leaf of the plant and is used to suppress hunger and appetite and enhance endurance all over India.
Additionally, the plant is also used as ‘famine food’ during periods of famine for curbing appetite.
Use Of Tribesmen
The plant has been used consistently over the ages as portable food and for quenching thirst. Furthermore, it has also seen use for its supposed ability of suppressing hunger and appetite, while enhancing stamina. As per popular beliefs, it is supposed to affect the appetite control centre of a person’s brain. On many occasions, tribesmen going on a full day’s hunt will only pack Caralluma fimbriata to sustain themselves during the exercise, which is also why this plant is often referred to as ‘famine food’ by many Indians.
Benefits
- Obesity Prevention (Facilitate Weight-loss by curbing appetite)
- Reducing blood sugar levels
- Augment and increase a person’s stamina and endurance