Hoodia Gordonii is a member of the plant family Apocynaceae and is called a "stem succulent" due to its prickly cactus-like appearance. Hoodia gordonii feature large, creamy pink blossoms on the tops of their prickly stems.

Tribal African bushmen have been utilizing hoodia gordonii for hundreds of years to reduce hunger while on lengthly hunting and gathering trips. It's also reported that they ate hoodia to relieve pain as well. Only available in the United States since 2004, the only authentic hoodia gordonii on the market comes from the Western Cape of South Africa in the Kalahari desert. There are several varieties of hoodia but only the gordonii type possesses weight-loss properties.

There are no adverse side effects associated with taking hoodia gordonii. After CBS newswoman Lesley Stahl tried hoodia, reported that she experienced no nausea, shakiness, dry mouth or other unpleasant side effects.