Update 1/20/20. Several people have asked me about the weight loss supplement called Zi Xiu Tang. Let’s now review Zi Xiu Tang, its ingredients and see if its right for you. What you are reading now is the first review of Zi Ziu Tang. There is also an updated review of Zi Xiu Tang. Read this review first which covers the basic ingredients. Then, read the updated review which covers all the other ingredients and how it really works.
Update 4/8/14. The FDA warns people to immediately stop taking Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen weight loss supplements. It tested several Zi Xiu Tang products – including those that were said to be “genuine” and not counterfeit. The FDA found that some products contained not only sibutramine, an illegal weight loss drug but some also contained Phenolphthalein, a chemical that may increase the risk of cancer. See the FDA alert for more information.
Update. 10/24/12. The FDA has determined that Zi Xiu Tang contains an illegal weight loss drug called sibutramine. Do not take Zi Xiu Tang as it can lead to heart problems.
Update 6/26/12. I have written a review of ZXT Gold.
Update 6/18/13. I have written a review of Slim Trim U bee pollen weight loss supplement.
Update 7/25/12. Canadian health authorities have identified 2 drugs in ZXT Gold. See the ZXT Gold review for more information.
Zi Xiu Tang Ingredients
Zi Xiu Tang is composed of:
Bee pollen. One of the websites that sell Zi Xiu Tang says bee pollen is “known to stimulate metabolism” , “eliminate cravings” and “reduce appetite” but when I searched the National Library of Medicine for “bee pollen and metabolism” and “bee pollen and weight loss” no studies showed up. I wasn’t surprised because I've never seen any study showing that bee pollen raises the metabolic rate or promotes weight loss. Bee pollen appears to be the main ingredient in Zi Xiu Tang.
I did uncover a case report of kidney failure in somebody who was using a bee pollen supplement. Bee pollen may also cause severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis). Be sure you are not allergic to bee pollen before you try Zi Xiu Tang.
Chinese yam. This name is a little confusing because it also goes by the name “wild yam”. Other names include Rhizoma dioscoreae Dioscorea opposite. when I searched for whether this ingredient might help weight loss, I actually did find something. A study does show that Rhizoma dioscoreae might help weight loss – in mice. Specifically, mice that were fed a high-fat diet.
No study in humans showing a similar effect could be located.
Barbary wolfberry fruit. A more scientific name for this is Lycium barbarum. Many people also know it by its other names, Goji Berry. In a small study titled, Lycium barbarum increases caloric expenditure and decreases waist circumference in healthy overweight men and women: a pilot study, this herb was noted to reduce waist circumference and boost metabolism (by about 10%) more than those who received a placebo. The amount that seemed to garner these effects was 120 ml per day. This study lasted 2 weeks and involved a small number of people (about 15 in each group).
How much Barbary Wolfberry fruit is in Zi Xiu Tang? They don't tell us.
Lotus seed. There is not enough published proof one or another to say what this stuff does.
Dietary fiber. Dietary fiber – like all fiber helps slow digestion and makes people feel full. Fiber also has no calories. These are the reasons why dietitians are always telling people to eat more fruits and vegetables (which have fiber). The problem is how much fiber does Zi Xiu Tang contain? I was unable to find the answer on any of the Zi Xiu Tang websites I looked at.
Some Zi Xiu Tang websites claim that the product can detoxify the body. Detoxify is the new-age word for “laxative” Since Zi Xiu Tang has fiber, it makes sense that it would have a laxative effect. Since the supplement is said to contain no stimulants like caffeine, fiber may be the mystery ingredient behind those who say Zi Xiu Tang promotes weight loss.
Many websites say that no diet is needed when using Zi Xiu Tang. Still, other Zi Xiu Tang websites say that people only need to take Zi Xiu Tang for a month after they reach their goal weight to maintain their weight loss. I'm skeptical of these statements also.
Zi Xiu Tang side effects
Here is a list of potential ZXT side effects.
Does Zi Xiu Tang Work?
People have told me that they have lost weight within Zi Xiu Tang. But based on the ingredients listed, I don’t see how it’s possible. Honestly, I'm skeptical.
- I'm skeptical because of the websites I see selling it. Some websites seem designed to get you to hurry up and buy it now before the price goes up.
- I'm skeptical because some websites say things that are not based in fact (e.g. bee pollen stimulating metabolism).
- I'm skeptical because I can’t discern any scientific reason why any of the ingredients (except fiber) would help weight loss.
- I'm skeptical because I don’t see any peer-reviewed proof on Zi Xiu Tang.
- I'm skeptical because many websites say people don't need to exercise while taking Zi Xiu Tang. This is unhealthy. Any diet that does not incorporate exercise runs the risk of promoting muscle loss. Some websites do advocate eating some extra protein (which can help preserve muscle during dieting) which I like, but leaving out exercise is disturbing.
While I think that fiber may be responsible for any weight loss seen with Zi Xiu Tang supplements, I would like to see an independent laboratory test the product to see if it contains any additional ingredients that are not listed.
If you choose to try Zi Xiu Tang and buy over the internet be certain to ask about any “autoship” programs and see if you can opt-out of this.
Here is my second Zi Xiu Tang review
Read also my review of SlimQuick weight loss supplement.
I have been taking this product for roughly 2 months and have lost around 12 pounds (I am judging this strictly on how my clothes are fitting – considering I have dropped around 1 1/2 sizes). At present I know about 10 others taking it as well, all having various feedback. I noticed a difference the first day. My hunger had diminished and as others had mentioned, I had to force myself to eat. I did not experience the laxative effect, but I believe this is because I do not tend to eat greasy and unhealthy foods. I did not alter my lifestyle, like what was suggested by the manufacturer.
How my body changed and felt while taking this product –
-a lot more energy
-eating about 1/3 amount of normal (per meal)
-dry mouth (even though drinking a lot of water)
-sweating a lot easier
-being hotter than normal
-curbing hunger for around a 10-12 hour period (I did tend to get hungry at night, which was always an issue for me)
-not desiring sweets (only in the first month or so)
-indecision for meals
-helped keeping me from getting sick or having bad allergies.
If you are normally a coffee drinker I would suggest to kick the habit if you are going to be taking this product. You will be THREW THE ROOF with energy that it can be a little crazy. Although you don’t get “the shakes” or experience any loopy/odd behavior like with other “diet pills” of the past.
If you frequently drink alcoholic beverages I would be careful as well. Alcohol dehydrates you, and this product seems to as well (I assume this from the extreme dry mouth you get). Make sure you are drinking AT LEAST two liters a day, and if you are planning on (heavily) drinking that day to drink more water. DRINKING ENOUGH WATER IS THE MOST IMPORTANT ACCOMPANIMENT WHEN TAKING THIS.
I noticed that there has been different effects for the people I know taking it. Try it for a week or two, if it works – great. If you aren’t feeling a positive change – stop. There’s not hurt in trying (in my opinion). I have thoroughly enjoyed taking this product and plan to stop by the end of the year as I am hoping to reach my goal by then.
I do not know if this product works or not but the company is a liar. They promise they will not charge your credit card but 11.80 and when you get the product and if you use the product they charge you 49.98 per bottle in addition to the 11.80 as they say was Trail Offer…Paying this much for a bunch of vitamins is not worth it…I am sending this crap back…
Hello,
I take one of these pills a day. I started two weeks ago and have lost 3 pounds. However I do exercise at least twice a week for about 30 mins. These pills do make me very thirsty so I drink a lot of water. I have not been able to find anything else that works. But I believe the key is to still exercise to maintain muscle mass.
Good luck everyone,
Emelia
No Joe Not at all , i exercise but i don’t have a steady routine ,with my work schedule , kids ect.. but i i do try to get exercise 3 days a week i would like to do more but for now this is how it goes. I’m on day 4 now and i feel no side effects , i feel great actually alot of energy and yes it does curve your appetite but i still make sure i eat but noticed I am eating alot less so not giving up on them , gonna finsih up my month and see what happens/
Greg. I hope you dont think exercise is Junk…
I just bought these pills and from what i see with my own eyes is that it works.My friends take them and they look great. gonna give it a shot So I am willing to try these out , I tried tons of exercise eating healthy , different supplements and they were all junk so why not give this a shot, considering I saw with my own eyes my friends results. I will post back in a month and let ya know how much I lost.
IM. The packaging of the product concerns me (it just does not look good). check out my other Zi Xiu Tang review for the pictures I took of the product I have.
I would like to try this but I have read comments about some pills being a scam. Can anybody tell me where I could buy the real pills?
Thanks Anne. Will be interested to hear your thoughts 🙂
I have just taken my first pill today, I am more just curious about the appetite suppressant portion, I am in a very healthy weight range but it is always interesting to see what is out there. Will report back in a week.
I have been taking these pills for about three weeks and I so far love them because I always had problems going to the bathroom but now I go everyday with no problem. The only thing I don’t like is that I have lost my appetite for sweets which I love so much. Whenever I get something I really want for some strange reason I cannot eat any sweets. The next thing I don’t like is that I forget to eat and you must eat with these pills and eat a lot of protein. The first day I took it I could not sleep for 24 hrs which sucked but after a few days my body adjusted. When I first started I was 160lbs I have not weighed myself yet. My stomach has reduced alot so I will see.
DC. Thank you for taking the time to tell us your story. Yes a little extra water can’t hurt but I would add that too much water actually can hurt. The condition is called hyponatremia (also called water intoxication) and it can be very dangerous. People can die from hyponatremia. While it’s usually athletes who get it from drinking too much, I know of 2 people (who were not athletes) who did it too themselves by just drinking water like it was going out of style. Just wanted to toss that in for people who read these comments.
I’m sorry that a lot of ya’ll had trouble!
but i’ll be honest, i am so glad i started these pills, and i am in my second bottle, but i have absolutely no idea why so many are having trouble with their energy! I feel great!
I am usually a very skeptical person by nature, so when my friend told me abou these pills that her sister had take and lost all this weight, i was like: all water weight, definitely all water weight. but i figured what the heck. the websit looked like a typical scamming website, but i fought the urge to be negative about it and bought them anyways.
You do drop the weight pretty quickly, but I noticed that it wasn’t just coming from my mid section, like most water pills do, but it was also coming from under my neck, my upper back, and shoulders (and my butt, which was really the only thing i didn’t care much to lose…). It probably helps though that I have never had an appetite suppressant like this. it’s really amazing! for the first week and a half i had to actually force myself to eat… and i know that sounds all “woe is me i had to eat!”, but it WAS difficult, because i was hungry–starving at times!– and absolutely nothing seemed appetizing to me, whiiiiiiich… is a new feeling for this tummy.
I’m fairly average in size… like if you saw me on the street eating a doughnut, you wouldn’t say “oooo… put it down… Put. it. down.” but i have always been softer around the edges. like if scarlett johansen put on a few lb’s. So i haven’t had some extreme weight loss story, but this stuff just feels good.
(And for those ladies out there who have those days of “oh-my-good-please-someone-pop-me… if-chris-farley-and-a-balloon-had-a-baby-it-would-be-me…”, i haven’t felt even close to that feeling since i started these things, no matter how much sodium i packed in during that “time”.)
on a down note: i drink over a gallon of water a day though, and i still get thirsty pretty often. But i was doing that before i took the pills. A little extra water really can’t hurt.
My friend takes these, and she is really petite, and she was having some major issues– the fatique, the headaches– just general crappiness, but she down graded to just one a day instead of the two, and it works the same for her as the two do for me. she was neglecting water in the beginning, also.
i would recommend this to anyone, but be smart about it: if you are really petite, take one instead of two! and DRINK DRINK DRINK that water like it is going out of style!
Hey everyone. I’ve been taking these pills since the beginning of June and, right now, I’m nearing the end of my second bottle. I’ve always been the type who has tried everything before ZXT and nothing has been able to curb the appetite that I had. A bottle usually lasts me a while because, after a month in, I would skip days because I found that they worked better. I go to the bathroom more regularly and I drink tons of water. I also learned to cut down on coffee drinks because the pills gave me enough energy through the day. I initially began with 1 pill/day the first week so I could allow my body to get used to the pills. Then I switched to 2/day and didn’t notice any side effects.
DJ. I appreciate you taking the time to list your symptoms. I know they will benefit others. If you still experience those symptoms I would not take them anymore. The high heart rate and anxious feelings especially concern me. I’d speak to your doctor before using Zi Xiu Tang again.
I started taking these pills a week ago. Immediately I experienced a laxative effect and severe dry mouth. A week into taking them, I was not able to sleep, had a high heart rate, and was feeling extremely anxious. I lost about 3-4 lbs of water weight. I tried to speak to someone regarding these symptoms. The only rational explanation is that it was mixing with my oral contraceptive. I do not think the pills did anything but curb my appetite, and make me go to the bathroom. I am doubting them now.
I appreciate your comments. Just a few thoughts on what you said
I am always skeptical when I can’t find a scientific/logical reason for why people say a product works like this. That said, I’m intrigued with the claims coming from people who have used the product.
I call on the medical community to test zi xiu tang under laboratory conditions – and to test the product to see if it contains anything that is not listed on the label.
I’m glad you have lost weight on zi xiu tang but you cannot be sure the weight you lost was not at least some water unless you measure it scientifically. Some of it probably was water at least in the beginning. As for now Its hard to say unless you get your body fat done using hydrostatic weighing or a Bod Pod.
Laxatives can cause fluid loss however they may also lead to some weight loss if they “pushed” food through the digestive track faster. This would limit nutrient absorption and hence calories. I’m not saying that this is what is happening with zi xiu tang but is something to consider.
What you said about animal protein being the “major cause” of heart disease, cancer and diabetes is not true. While large consumption of red meat can contributes to heart disease, lack of exercise and eating too many calories is the main cause of many of these conditions along with smoking in some instances.
Joe – I cant help but get the feeling that you are a little more than skeptical after reading both of your reviews. I want to point out that just because there are no solid studies showing that any ingredients in these pills have weight loss properties, doesn’t necessarily mean that these pills don’t work. Studies don’t really mean jack, when you consider the fact that there are tons of studies showing that meat & dairy (animal products) are good for humans, when the reality is, EATING AND DRINKING ANIMAL DERIVED PROTIEN is the major cause of illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. That is just to name a few! I could go on for days about this so let me stop now & get back the topic at hand…
Back to the pills & weight loss. I myself have lost 18lbs in 2 months… I have tried countless ways to take this weight off over the last 5 years and nothing has worked until now. There is no doubt in my mind that something, and I don’t claim to know what, but something in these pills works wonders at suppressing the appetite! The bottom line is that I lost weight because I am eating much less… Not because I am going potty more often. In fact, I don’t use the bathroom that much more than I had prior to taking these pills…
In response to your claim that the weight loss is caused by the laxative effects of many of the ingredients in these pills, I would like to point out that all laxatives do is cause the body to lose fluid! While this may show some weight loss on the scale, it doesn’t explain why or how I lost 5″ on my waistline… Or for that matter, why the cellulite dents have virtually disappeared from my ass… The weight that I’ve lost has definitely been in the form of fat, not water…
And just so we are clear – I have at least 10 friends who have also have had the same experience as I have on these pills..
Thanks for your comments Brittni. Even thought this is not much scientific proof right now, your comments along with all the others is adding to our knowledge. My hope is that a doctor/scientist reads your comments and decides to test Zi Xiu Tang.
Well I have been taking Zi Xiu Tang pills for over a month. I’m in the middle of my second month and I have lost 15 pounds so far. 25 total since march (but the other 10 is from Atkins). The biggest thing that I notice that the pills do is decrease your appetite. In the beginning I had no appetite and had to make a schedule and force myself to eat something, even if it was small throughout the day. Now I do notice that I have a little more of an appetite but still get full very fast. So that’s the greatest benefit for me because the “craving” of food is completely gone and Im an emotional eater, meaning I eat more when Im sad or bored, ect ect…I do drink a lot of water, but I have always been good with drinking water, its actually all I drink, except for slushes and things of that nature. As far as making you go to the bathroom, I have always been kind of constipated and irregular, so i thought these would help with that.. but no.. I’m still irregular.. it does give me that laxative feeling every now and then.. but nothing serious..I was skeptical too before buying them. My mom told us about them and I did as much research as possible to get as much personal feedback as possible and I just decided to try for myself and I like them. I do wish there was more scientific information out there on them and the question that I’m the most curious about is why aren’t they approved by the FDA and what exactly occurs inside the body while taking them…those would be great to know.