Herbal preparations for obesity: are they useful?

Despite the negative view of herbs held by the mainstream medical community botanical dietary supplements for weight loss remain extremely popular with the general public. In fact, the use of herbal and alternative medicines has increased in the last decade in the United States. This article reviews the most commonly used herbal weight loss preparations so primary care physicians can communicate the risks and benefits to obese patients and inform them on the appropriate use of such products within an overall approach of diet and lifestyle for the achievement and maintenance of healthy body weight.