Hoodia gordonii is the only active ingredient in our branded 100% pure Hoodia product, Slim400™ - so what is Hoodia? Pronounced Whoo De Aah. It is the name of a succulent from South Africa made famous by its historical use and subsequent extract patent by Phytofarm.

Hoodia was hailed by the west as a miracle plant due to its inherent appetite supressant abilities. San hunter-gatherers have used Hoodia for centuries to supress their appetite and give them energy on hunting trips. Today Hoodia is still eaten in its raw form by various local inhabitants of South Africa and Namibia. The main, active ingredient giving value to the Hoodia gordonii plant, is P57 - a molecule which fools the brain in believing that the body had enough to eat, thus curbing your appetite.

Hoodia gordonii belongs to the Apocynaceae family of the Genus: Hoodia (Sweet ex Decne). Common names for Hoodia are Ghaap, Xhoba, Queen of the Namib and Bushman's Hat. The Hoodia gordonii plant is leafless and spiny. Although mistaken for a cactus, the Hoodia plant is in fact a succulent.
The flowers are flesh-colored and smells like decaying meat.

The smell attracts flies which pollunate the plant. The plant has finger-like stems with rows of thorns on the sides. The genus Hoodia is widespread in Southern Africa, but herbarium records indicate that Hoodia gordonii only occurs in Namibia and South Africa. Hoodia species occur in summer rainfall areas in Angola, Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa as well as winter rainfall areas in Namibia (MET 2002). Only one species if found east of 26 degrees longitude, i.e. H. currorii subsp. lugardii, which occurs in Botswana and the Limpopo province of South Africa. The centers of diversity for Hoodia are in Namibia (11 taxa) and South Africa (9 taxa).

Maturity for the Hoodia gordonii plant is a period of five (5) years. Due to the fact that the plant is listed as a Protected species, cultivation of the Hoodia gordonii plant started in early 2004. There is a huge demand for Hoodia gordonii because of it's medicinal properties. Because of it scarcity, Hoodia is a very expensive commodity. Bio-piracy and long lasting draught also plays a major role in the availability of the plant. This is the reason for the limited supply of pure Hoodia on the market.

A large percentage of Hoodia available on the market are fake or adulterated material. Small quantities of real Hoodia gordonii are blended with either Oppuntia, Sawdust, Starch, Silica leaves or other non toxic material to cut costs but generating huge profit from the Hoodia gordonii name. This is effecting the price of Hoodia products quite drastically and sicne it is fake, it does not work. This is placing alot of strain on the true effectiveness of real Hoodia gordonii.

Hoodia gordonii is governed by a body called CITES. To trade internationally with hoodia, certificates and permits have to be acquired from the necessarry bodies/organizations.