Rauwolfia is a shrub that has been used for years in many parts of the world for a variety of different health benefits. Two of the more popular shrubs of genus Rauwolfia used in herbal supplements are Rauwolfia serpentine extract and Rauwolfia vomitoria extract. Both are very similar in chemical composition with Rauwolfia serpentine found in India and Rauwolfia vomitoria found in Africa.

The active ingredients in Rauwolfia are called indole alkaloids with the highest concentrations found in bark and roots of the shrubs. With more than 50 different alkaloids (1) found in Rauwolfia one stands out more than the others. Yohimbine common in many fat loss and sexual enhancement products comes from the Rauwolfia shrub. Reserpine is considered to be the major alkaloid with its highest concentration found in bark and roots of the shrub.

Rauwolfia Health Benefits

Rauwolfia has been used for years to support a variety of different health related issues from convulsing fevers, weakness, trouble sleeping, mental health, pain, arthritis, cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, and health of the stomach, intestines, and liver. A recent study showed positive benefits to reducing tumor size (2) in people with ovarian cancer taking Rauwolfia vomitoria extract.

Fat Loss and Weight Loss

Studies have shown positive benefits in fat loss and weight loss when using Rauwolfia in different forms. Yohimbine is one of the most research alkaloid when looking at fat loss benefits. One study looking at overweight diabetic (3) participants found a reduction in amount of fatty acids in skeletal muscle when using a rauwolfia tea. A fat loss study on mice using a combination of rauwolfia vomitoria and Citrus aurantium (synephrine) showed a significant reduction (4) in fat loss over the placebo group.

Hypertension

The most common use of Rauwolfia is for the treatment of hypertension. Low dosages of Rauwolfia have been successfully prescribed by doctors. Adverse side effects using rauwolfia have been found in 5-15% of patients. This number is from patients using prescription forms of rauwolfia.

Buy Rauwolfia Vomitoria and Rauwolfia Serpentine Extract

Racer Ephedra has a wide variety of products that contain one of the different shrubs of rauwolfia. These products are designed to support fat loss. As these are herbal supplements they are not meant to treat any disease nor are they a substitute for a prescription drug.