Chá de bugre products are highly commercialized as a weight loss aid in Brazil where tea bags, capsules, and extracts of chá de bugre are commonly seen in pharmacies, stores, and even in the beach-front eateries and refreshment stands along Rio de Janeiro's beaches.* It has long been a popular weight loss product which has been marketed as a diuretic, appetite suppressant, and believed to help prevent or reduce fatty deposits and cellulite.* Please remember however... there is no magic bullet for weight loss that will allow you to eat anything you'd like and still lose weight. Chá de bugre is not a magic bullet either. The only way to lose weight is to follow a sensible, well-balanced diet that lowers caloric intake and/or to increase your physical activity to burn off the calories you are consuming. Chá de bugre might be helpful since it can reduce appetite... BUT you still have to remember to put the fork down when you feel full, as well as to eat a sensible and well-balanced diet.

Other Observations: As an appetite suppressent, it is traditionally taken 30 minutes to one hour prior to meals.

Family: Boraginaceae

Genus: Cordia

Species: salicifolia

Synonyms: Cordia ecalyculata Vell.

Ethnic names: Chá de bugre, porangaba, cafezinho, café do mato, claraiba, café de bugre, cha de frade, louro-salgueiro, louro-mole, boid d'inde, bois d'ine, coquelicot, grao-do-porco, bugrinho, chá-de-negro-mina, laranjeira-do-mato, rabugem

Parts Used: Leaves, Fruit, Bark