Hoodia Gordonii: A Succulent With Appetite Suppressing Properties

Introduction to Hoodia Gordonii

Hoodia Gordonii is a succulent that looks like a cactus that grows mainly in South Africa but also grows in Namibia. It was first discovered in 1779 by Robert Jacob Gordon. Hoodia Gordonii has been used for a very long time by the people of South Africa, traditionally this succulent is used to treat indigestion, infections and to prevent hunger during long hunting trips by the Sun Bushmen of the Kalahari Desert. This succulent prefers high temperatures and very low humidity while growing (Just like the Kalahari Desert in South Africa). 

Uses For People That Are Overweight

This succulent is gaining a lot of popularity around the world as an appetite suppressant for people with weight problems. Its key effects are, if you have eaten something and taken Hoodia Gordonii straight after, it will take a much longer time before hunger sets in again, if Hoodia is taken before a meal, the person will feel more "full" with eating less food. It's gained a lot of popularity because it is a cheaper and more effective alternative than the banned Ephedra. Many people prefer a natural composition than chemical made in a lab.  No side effects have been reported in scientific studies but people with diabetes should be cautious as Hoodia Gordonii is suspected of tricking the brain into thinking there is enough sugar in the blood stream, pregnant woman should also be cautious when using Hoodia.  Hoodia Gordonii is found in several forms on the internet, mainly powder, capsules and extract, but there are many vendors out there that sell fake Hoodia. Studies have been done and it shows that P57 compound is responsible for the appetite suppressing effects of Hoodia Gordonii. P57 is an oxypregnane steroidal glycoside. This succulent can also help with Gastric acid reduction, gastric acid is inhibited by the P57 compound.

How To Grow Trichocereus Cacti From Seed

My first blog post, yay.

Intro to Trichocereus Species.

Trichocereus's are fast growing columnar cacti that usually grow in Peru but do grow in other places like Argentina, Bolivia and Chile. Trichocereus's usually grow in altitudes between 2000m - 3000m. Trichoereus's vary in shades of green. Areoles are usually spaced apart 2cm, they grow up to about 6m in height. When a Trichocereus is mature it will flower, during the night. The flowers are big and appear at the end of the stems.

USDA Hardiness Zones: 8b - 10


Here is a method of germinating Trichocereus seeds, this method works for any Trichocereus.

Things you will need:

Perlite
Any good compost
Small pot (Around 7cm in diameter)
Humidity tent (Any clear bag, that's slightly bigger than the pot you are using)
Rubber band (To go around the pot to seal the tent)

First of get your compost, use 60%, and then get 40% of your store bought perlite, mix them both evenly and put the mixture in the pot. The mixture should be patted down lightly but not too much.

Moisten the mixture but do not get it too soggy, if the mixture is too soggy all the time the seed can rot. Now get your seed at the tip of your finger and lightly press it in to the moist mixture you made.

You have placed your seed in the pot with mixture, now lightly spray the top of the mixture with a mister, and make sure to use a small amount of water to prevent the dislodging of the seed you just planted. Now you are ready to put your humidity tent over the pot and seal using a basic rubber band.

Now you have placed the humidity tent over the pot, now place this pot in indirect sunlight with temperatures of about 18C - 24C, also keep the mixture moist and if your seeds are fresh and viable they should germinate in about 2 weeks.

Once the seed has germinated it is safe to take off the humidity tent. Here is one of my Trichocereus seedlings that I planted about 17 days ago.

Here is the same Trichocereus about 4 months later, it is around 2 - 2.5cm in height.

Watering and Fertilizing

Watering should be done when the top of the soil dries out in the pot, do not over water, water lightly. Fertilizing should be done when the cacti is at least one year old.


I hope you enjoyed my first post on my new botanical blog.