What is Hoodia Gordonii?

Many people ask "What is Hoodia Gordonii?" It is a good question. Furst of all, Hoodia itself is a genus of the succulent cactus family. Within this genus there are a number of separate Hoodia species, Hoodia gordonii is one of these species. Only the Hoodia gordonii species has been shown to have the appetite suppressant qualities. In fact, it has been used for thousands of years by the native San people of the Kalahari desert where it is found to suppress appetite while living in the often hars desert environment. Other native peoples in the Kalahari also use Hoodia gordonii for other purposes, although it has not been entirely shown what these purposes are, although it is known to be a prominent food source for many people.

Hoodia Gordonii and the CSIR

Another group that wanted to answer the question "What is Hoodia Gordonii" were the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). This group, based in South Africa, were the first to isolate what is now known to be the active ingredient in Hoodia gordonii, P-57. The rights to working with the Hoodia Gordonii plant were then licensed to the British company Phytopharm, which later sub-licensed them to well known pharmaceutical company Pfizer although Pfizer has since returned the clinical development rights.