ABSTRACT

Obesity is a physical condition and causative factor for many strenuous abnormalities that results from excessive storage of fat in the body. Abnormal chronic conditions of obesity from whatever cause, leads to risk factors in cardiovascular disease, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, pulmonary disease, non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, arthritis, certain cancers (breast, uterus and colon), varicose vein and gall bladder disease. In this present review, we intend to educate and to create awareness of certain commonly used herbal plants which have been used as traditional remedy since the time of our ancestors for their lipid lowering activity. We discuss new potential targets for herbal remedy that may help people in gaining control over appetite as well as increase total energy expenditure and fat utilization.