ABSTRACT
The development of obesity is characterized by a chronic imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure, and it is often ascribed to changing lifestyles and inadequate dietary habits. Dietary fat usually implies an increase in energy consumption because it has a lower potential for inducing satiety than carbohydrates and protein. Medicinal plants have been used as dietary supplements for body weight management and control in many countries. Many medicinal plants may provide safe, natural and cost-effective alternatives to synthetic drugs. Herbal drugs constitute a major part in all traditional systems of medicines. Herbal medicine is a triumph of popular therapeutic diversity. Herbal medicine is a triumph of popular therapeutic diversity. A number of studies have revealed various health benefits of plant polyphenols and their importance in foods, beverages and natural medicine. The development of natural products for the treatment of obesity is a challenging task, which can be launched faster and cheaper than conventional, single-entity pharmaceuticals.
