Caffeine- The bitter, white crystalline xanthine alkaloid caffeine is found in tea, coffee, soft drinks, chocolates, pain relievers, and a variety of over the counter medications. It is a psychoactive stimulant drug that causes increased alertness by stimulating the central nervous system. For the same reason, many people feel more energetic after consuming it. It even elevates the mood but these effects do not last for long. The effects of caffeine usually last for about five to six hours, though caffeine sensitivity varies from person to person. It has been found that people who consume lot of caffeine on a daily basis soon develop less sensitivity and may need to increase their intake to enjoy the same effect. Being a diuretic, a person consuming caffeine may have to urinate more often.

Embelic Myrobalan Extract is the extract of a plant with biological name Emblica officinalis. In India it is commonly known as amla. The active ingredients in Emblic myrobalan that have significant pharma-cological action are gallic acid, tannins, pectin, and ascorbic acid (Vitamin C). Its extracts are used in medicine for treatment of vermifuge and to stimulate appetite. It is one of the highest natural sources of Vitamin C (3,000 mg per fruit). Some studies suggest that Emblic myrobalan extracts can be used in treatment of diabetes. Research also shows that it increases the red blood count, strengthens the hair and prevents premature graying of hair.

Evodiamine, an alkaloid extract from the Evodiae Fructus plant is known as Evodiamine. It has been referred to as a “hot nature” herb in Chinese literature and medicine. Based on animal studies, Evodiamine increases the natural fat burning rate and stimulates vanilloids for reduction of fat intake. It increases body temperature, influences the adrenal glands to secrete catecholamines and also affects the metabolism of certain drugs. Since it acts like a thermogenic and increases the overall temperature, more fat and calories are burnt due to its intake. This alkaloidal compound has anti obesity effects due to UCP1 (uncoupling protein 1) thermogenesis. In part, evodiamine can prevent diet induced obesity from developing further. It is available in the form of supplement or through Evodiae Fructus plant.

N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine relates to the supplementation of tyrosine. The N-Acetyl-L-tyrosine is converted into L-tyrosine. N-Acetyl-L-tyrosine is useful in treating depression and mood problems. This is also of immense use in treating blood pressure, skin and hair color as well as Parkinson’s disease. N-Acetyl-L-tyrosine gets converted into the body and is soluble in water. N-Acetyl-L-tyrosine serves as one of the significant supplement to increase the tyrosine levels present in the body because the substances that stay undissolved are un-absorbed by the digestive tract. This contains B-6 vitamin and this is a must for the synthesis for neurotransmitter. N-Acetyl-L-tyrosine is prohibited by the FDA regulations to be appropriate for medical treatment. N-Acetyl-L-tyrosine, in the recent research has come to conclude that it is effective for medical conditions. Even mild stress causes neurotransmitter deficiency and this ends up in sullen moods or depression. However, N-Acetyl-L-tyrosine is useful in restoring skin pigment and also is effective in hair darkening.

Octopamine is related to noradrenaline. Octopamine was discovered by Vittorio Erspamer, an Italian scientist in 1948. Octopamine has a significant role in mollusks and is the central nervous system in snail. Octopamine also has a vital role in memory and learning in the fruit fly and honey bee. Octopamine is also useful for the firefly in releasing the light production. Octopamine mobilizes releasing fat in mammals and this has developed into promotion as a slimming aid on the internet. However, there is no apparent evidence about Octopamine facilitating weight loss. Octopamine also significantly increases the blood pressure in combination with stimulants such as weight loss supplements. This is extensively used in energy demanding insects such as spiders, lobsters, crabs and crayfish as their behaviors also include egg-laying, jumping and flying. Among vertebrates, Octopamine substitutes norepinephrine and as well exhibits common side effects. Octopamine is sited in the locust jump such that it modulates the muscle activity allowing the leg muscles to contract effectively.

Passion Flower- Passion vines, or Passiflora, are a 500 species strong genus of flowering plants that all belong to the family of Passifloraceae. While most of the plants are classified as vines, there are also some shrubs and herbaceous plants that can be found. With the exception of Europe and Africa, as well as Antarctica, these plants are found all over the rest of the world. While the passion flower is mostly known for the Maracuja, or Passiflora edulis, the passion fruit, the vines of some species in this genus are known to have properties that have been used by Native Americans for treatment of insomnia, epilepsy and hysteria, as noted with Passiflora incarnata. Many other species contain beta carboline harmala alkaloids, which function as monoamine oxidase inhibitors and are powerful antidepressants.

Sclareolide is an all natural product and a terpenoid, an organic chemical which in similar form exists in plants with antifungal characteristics. It has already found wide usage in the body building and weight loss world as Norambrolide. This compound activates something called “cyclic adenosine monophosphate”, which is something similar to a messenger on a cellular basis, and is called cAMP. These cAMP messengers activate the body chemistry to remove fat out of their storage place, thereby promoting weight loss, which is a similar function that Ephedrine used to do, only Ephedrine was stimulating the adrenal glands. On the other hand, cAMP levels are increased by Sclareolide without sidetracking through the adrenal glands, a much safer and certainly more effective way to increase the metabolic rate.

Vinpocetine- The lesser periwinkle plant named Vinca Minore consists of Vincamine, which is found in its leaves and Vinpocetine is derived from this natural substance found in the plant. In countries such as Japan and Europe, Vinpocetine is a prescribed medicine. It is popularly available in the online stores and countries such as Canada and the US as an effective supplement for diet. Vinpocetine is a great medicine in order to protect oneself from brain dementia. It has also been found to help treat Alzheimer’s disease. However, there is no strong recent evidence to prove its effect on the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Overall, it’s great to boost the brain. However, it has certain side effects such as anxiety, insomnia, indigestion, dry mouth, headache and many more.

White Willow Bark, or Salix alba, is a willow commonly found in Europe and adjacent parts of western and central Asia. The bark of the White Willow has been used for centuries against fevers and to ease pains and aches. Already Hippocrates wrote about the White Willow bark powder two thousand five hundred years ago. The active ingredient of the White Willow bark is called salicin, a relative to aspirin and chemical derivative of the salicylic acid. When ingested, salicin is converted to salicylic acid, a beta hydroxy acid. As a nutritional supplement, White Willow products are being propagated as weight loss additives, whereby the scientific community has yet to provide any corroboration to this allegation. Besides the well known anti inflammatory characteristics, any other uses have not been approved by the FDA.

Yohimbe is a tree that grows in different parts of Western Africa. Active compounds called alkolids are present in its bark with Yohimbine being the principal alkaloid. Yohimbe bark extracts are available in health food outlets. You can also buy it online. These extracts are promoted as a product that increases sex drive and for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. However, there is proof of their effectiveness. Most studies are concerned with the drug Yohimbine and not herbal extract Yohimbe. The side effects of Yohimbe include anxiety and dangerous increase in blood pressure.