Want to buy Hoodia? Here's what you need to know before you buy.  Even as public interest in Hoodia skyrockets, there is an ugly downside:

Not all Hoodia is created equal.

In reality, it takes 3 to 7 years for the Hoodia Gordonii plant to reach maturity.  Because of the surge in demand, many South African suppliers were simply unprepared.   As a result the market has been flooded with Hoodia Gordonii products that are not as effective as the real stuff.

There have been reports of companies not putting the stated amount in their pills, using a 'plant substitute' (not the real thing) or even filling their ills with silica, leaves, sawdust and other filler products that have none of the potent Hoodia ingredients in them.

Several counterfeit products jumping onto the market are actually made with other hoodia varieties (not gordonii) coming from Mexico and China.

What Can You Do?

First of all, only buy Hoodia that comes from South Africa.

Second make sure to look for proper documentation that the Hoodia used is certified Hoodia Gordonii.  There are several ways to do this:

1) Look for a document called the C.I.T.E.S. certificate (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flors) on the manufacturer's website. Since the Hoodia plant is a protected plant species it can only be sold to an exporter who has this certificate.

Most reputable Hoodia companies will disply their C.I.T.E.S certificate on their website in good faith, showing you they use the real thing.

2) Look for a Lab Report or Analysis. This is called Alchemists Lab report, HPLS, TLC or Micropsopy tests. The lab tests prove that the Hoodia is genuine.

3) Other positive indicators include Import/Export Licences, Doctor's comments about the specific brand and third party test results.

Hoodia comes in a number of different delivery methods including capsule, weight loss patch, liquid extract and even teas. Hoodia is also added as an extra ingredient to other weight loss supplements that contain ingredients like green tea, guarana and other fat burners.

While capsules are the most popular form of Hoodia, patches and liquid extracts are catching up due to the unique benefit each delivery method uses.

For example, it is claimed that Hoodia patches deliver a constant flow of Hoodia into your system over the 12-24 hours you wear it which gives you constant appetite suppressing effects.  It's also claimed that your body can absorb more of the Hoodia in liquid than in pills. 

Another thing to know is that there are also different source materials used in Hoodia products:

#1) 100% Pure Hoodia - This is the Hoodia powder ground down from the Hodia plant leaves.  Many experts and even users claim that 100% pure Hoodia powder is the most effective form for weight loss.

#2) Extract - This can be either 20:1 extract or 10:1 extract.  This is made by placing the Hoodia plant in alcohol which pulls out the active ingredients into the alcohol.  This mixture is then strained to remove the fiber and skins.  The alcohol is removed, leaving the hoodia power.

20:1 extract means that 1 g of this extract was made using 20 g of the whole plant.  It sounds more potent however many experts feel that the 20:1 extract is much less potent than 100% pure Hoodia. There are claims on both sides and the only way to know for sure is to try it yourself to see if there is a difference.  People have claimed to have lost weight with both ways.

So those are the main things you need to know before you buy Hoodia. Bottom line? Look for South African Hoodia Gordonii that offers certification like a C.I.T.E.S certificate, testimonials and a solid money-back guarantee. 

It also helps if the website is clear and well laid out with prominent contact information and a satisfaction guarantee.  Remember these things and you're pretty well-assured of finding high quality pure Hoodia Gordonii that offers the best weight loss results.

For an easy way to compare top Hoodia products, check out our Best Hoodia Comparison page.

Was this information helpful? This page on Buy Hoodia is one of several articles found on our Hoodia Information page.