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.

In 1937, a Dutch anthropologist studying the San people noted that they used Hoodia to suppress appetite. But it wasn’t until 1963, when scientists at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), South Africa’s national laboratory, began studying Hoodia. Initial results were promising – lab animals lost weight after eating Hoodia Gordonii.

After 30 years of research, the South African scientists at CSIR isolated the active ingredient in Hoodia, and obtained a patent on the molecule in 1995. It is a steroidal glycoside, which they named P57. The South African government then licensed the patent to a British firm named Phytopharm.

In December of 2004, Phytopharm licensed to Unilever, who has promised to bring this man-made drug to market.

In the meantime, while you wait and wait for the artificial product, Hoodia Gordonii Plus, a whole plant formula, is available right now. You can order this very minute, and become friends again with your reflection in a full-length mirror.