Peppermint

• According to "Chinese Medicine Made Easy" by Thomas Richard Joiner, peppermint is an important component of the weight loss mixture Fang Feng Tong Sheng Tang, which is used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) to reduce water weight and purge the bowels. Peppermint also reduces weight by acting as an anti-inflammatory. Peppermint calms intestinal and digestive spasms, which can reduce feelings of hunger and effectively slow down the appetite.
  
  

Green Tea

• Green tea is an antioxidant powerhouse that is often used by western herbalists to reduce weight. Green tea can be taken in tea form, which has cancer-killing effects in addition to its weight loss powers. According to "The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook" by Alan Keith Tillotson and colleagues, green tea stimulates thermogenesis, which is the natural process in the body that produces heat and burns calories. Green tea also has an antibacterial effect that can aid in reducing intestinal infection that might be causing swelling and water retention.
  
  

Stevia Leaf

• According to "One Earth," stevia leaf is a natural sweetener from rain forests in South America. "One Earth" suggests taking a 20 percent fruit juice and 80 percent water mixture sweetened with stevia around an hour before meals to reduce hunger. This supplement should help you consume smaller portions during meals because you will be less hungry when mealtime comes.
  
  

Licorice Root

• According to "One Earth," licorice root is one of the most commonly used medicinal herbs in the world. Commonly taken in a crude powder or tincture, licorice root contains anti-inflammatory properties that can reduce swelling and water weight. Licorice root is also being tested for properties that stimulate the thinning of fat in weight loss patients, as preliminary studies have shown that licorice may have an effect on reducing the appearance of thigh fat.
  
  

Ephedra

• Ephedra is a common herb prescribed by herbalists for weight loss. Since part of its weight loss effect stems from its metabolic stimulation properties, ephedra is often abused as a stimulant. Though it is safe in reasonable doses, ephedra has a bad reputation due to accidental overdoses that have caused permanent damage and, in some cases, early death. Ephedra is often combined with green tea to increase its weight-loss effects, but it is a powerful herb for weight loss and should only be taken under the supervision of a well-trained and trusted herbal medicine professional.