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.
just bought the Zi Xiu Tang …the Floyd Distribution ones…they refer to it as ZXT and say it’s 100% authentic b/c they made their “own new authentic formula” so i guess they don’t claim to be the “original”. Has anyone take the Floyd Distributor ZXT and had good results?
2 girls in my office have been taking zi xiu tang for a month and have lost like 15+ pounds each but their bottles don’t say anything about Floyd Distribution like mine does. Both bottles look almost exactly the same though and the pills look the same. Just want to know if anyone has taken the ones i have (Floyd) with any good results. I’ve been taking it only 2 days and i have the dry mouth that I have heard my 2 friends at work talk about with their effective ones so I have no idea if mine is real or fake…or going to be effective i guess. Any idea?
I’ve been taking ZXT Gold for a little over a month now. I actually do not know if I have lost any weight, because I do not have a scale. However, I can tell my clothes fit more comfortably, and I do not look as “thick” in the middle. I’m a 22 year old, 5’3 female, and I am not very big to begin with (Was 140 lbs last time I was weighed last fall, but am only a size 6- I’m rather muscular), but have put on about 15 pounds throughout the last 3 years or so and it all seemed to go straight to my midsection- Unattractive.
I know it’s common to gain weight in college, but I play lacrosse for a club team and stay pretty active. However, I have a really ravenous appetite. I began taking the pills because a very close friend of mine experienced a VERY decreased appetite with them. Since I felt my weight gain was most likely due to never “feeling full”, I thought I would try them to curb my cravings. I do believe it works, as I now feel full after normal portions.
90% of the time I experience no side effects from these pills. However, I have experienced one problem. After an intense workout (lacrosse games or lacrosse practice) I sometimes feel nauseated. It has happened to me 3x, 2 of which I have vomited. Maybe I am overreacting, because it’s only been 3 times out of nearly 40 days. But I’ve never felt sick after working out before, so I am assuming the ZXT Gold might have something to do with it. My normal physical activity (60 minutes of walking) does not cause this- only prolonged running, sprinting and sweating. Anyone else experience something similar?
Also, as a side note- I do believe that the bigger you are to start with, the more you will lose and quicker. My good friend mentioned above lost 12 lbs in a month and looks awesome. I have noticed positive changes in my appearance, but I do not think I have lost 12 lbs.
I took these pills and lost 30 pounds. I didn’t do much working out but did change my eating habits. The side effects I experienced was the dry mouth and cough, as well. Other than that, I have way more energy and feel wonderful. I only took one bottle and lost 30 lbs within the 1st 2 months. I would recommend them to a friend if, you’re not allergic to the ingredients. Which, didn’t include a laxative. Not to mention my acid reflux (that started when I gained weight) hasn’t been a problem since I’ve taken these pills. After reading these posts, it’s obvious that people have different reactions to this pill.
Thanks for your reply Joe. I’ve talked to others on this also. I think everyone’s body just reacts different to different things that could be part of it. Heck you can take a drug the doctors give you that isn’t good for your body these days…..all I know is that it helped me….I do keep reading your posts as I’m always willing to learn…but so far for now it seems to be working for me. Thanks again…
I have been reading Joes comments about Zi Xiu Tang. I have been on it and have lost weight. I did some reading to see where to get the right one. I thought I found the right one beeathinneryou.com I have lost weight and do not have any side affects. I thank Joe for posting his opinion but it sounds just that…his opinion. He says a lot of “I don’t know” and “I couldn’t find” type of things not to try this. I think it’s worth trying it out, I had so much more energy. I think you do have to watch what you eat, but this is a good helper. And that’s just my opinion……..but 35lbs down I’m happy.
Mary, you are right there is a lot about zi xiu tang that I don’t know but that’s because there is no published proof either way on wither zi xiu tang is safe or has side effects. I really try to refrain from saying something that is not based on research and I cant only accept testimonials. I need more proof than that. If you really have lost 35 lbs I am glad, but I also believe that there is no possible way zi xiu tang can work if the ingredients listed are the only ingredients. Other than maybe adding some fiber or acting as a laxative, I just dont see how it works. The ingredients listed should not cause any of the strange side effects people are reporting. My opinion still is that zi xiu tang contains some undeclared ingredient, maybe a weight loss drug or maybe something else. I do hope I’m. Time will tell.
i started taking this pill in January of this yr and i was weighing 199lbs. as of todays date i am 176lbs. i saw a drastic weight loss within the first couple of wks but i seemed to stop losing weight now. i feel it works but after i finish this second bottle im done. the side effects i felt was very dry mouth and a annoying dry cough.
Both my husband and I took the zi xiu pills and we lost about 15 pounds each. Then we kinda leveled off and maybe only lost 1-2 more pounds after that in about 2 months. I must say that it did give us more energy and made us feel better. No colds, headaches etc. while we were on the pills. Did “Clean” us out the first few days we took them but I guess it was worth it. I would buy this product again and recommend it to anyone.
Any of Chinese miracle weight loss works, but the problem is that they put one active ingredient: furosemide.
Taking furosemide mixed with so many other ingredients are dangerous. Hence, the headaches, the insomnia, the grogginess, etc.
My aunt owns a pharmacy next door and we are always being offered by salesman to sell these types of Chinese weight loss, my aunt always refuses because she knows that it is not a real product, but a mixture of pharmaceutical drugs.
People on these Chinese weight loss supplements are always thirsty, why? because these meds take the water out of your body, furosemide is a water pill.
Taking furosemide for couple of weeks can be dangerous.
I just started taking the zi xiu tang 2 days ago and my heart isn’t racing or anything and I’m not having any side affects. i don’t feel like eating and that’s a good thing. I’ll probably take it for a month and if it work ill stay on it if it doesn’t work or if i see any side effects ill probably stop.
Hi,
I just started taking zi xiu one pill a day. The first day I took it, I took 2 pills because the lady who sold it to me at the organic vitamin shop told me I should start on two. But about an hour later I threw up but not much. But this could have been that I did not eat anything because I went right to the gym. So that was my mistake but I decided to keep trying it.
The next day I took one pill but I ate a banana before I took it so my stomach wouldn’t be completely empty and i think It really curbed my appetite a lot. This is my fourth day and I have been taking one pill everyday with eating a small amount of food before I take it. I have not lost anything yet but I’ve been dieting for 3 months with a total weight loss of 22lbs. I now weigh 153lbs 5’11 and I’m 21 years old.
My only problem is that the last 3 days I have had a runny nose, been sneezing more and my lymph notes are swollen. But I believe my lymph notes are swollen because of I had my MMR vaccine about 9 days ago and that was one of the rare symptoms. Just would like to know if you think I should continue taking the zi xiu pills!
Steve
Hi Steven, Im glad you are losing weight but since you are feeling sick right now, I’d recommend you not take the pills until you feel better.
Yes, I had the same experience with the jitters, etc., plus loose bowel and thirst, (fun). A friend of mine recommended these to me, after taking them I told her there must be amphetamines in them. Are these the “secret” vitamins?? I noticed one post mentioned sibutramine? Is this a known ingredient of the product? Is there any evidence showing that it has been? Thank you for your honest reviews, the only ones I have found.
Dianne
Diane, I have no direct proof that weight loss drug is in zi xiu tang but if I remember right past zi xiu tang ads from 2011 did say “no sibutramine” which I always thought was interesting. Why were they calling attention to this drug? It just made me wonder. But to my knowledge nobody has tested it and proved that it ever had it.
They (floyd nutrition) have put the senna back in it and called it ZXT Gold, I have lost 7.5lbs the first week and I can tell you it was not from laxative effect in it, I have been having normal bowel movements in fact seem a little constipated if anything, I normal eat a high fiber diet anyway not a lot of processed foods etc so I am wondering if that is why it is not cleaning out my colon/detox as it has already been cleaned out, but I did lose 7.5lbs the first week, we shall see if I lose any this week.
I felt weird though last week jittery, mind was racing, tingling feeling, dropped down to one pill instead of two, but today I took two and I am not feeling anything. Any opinions on the new ZXT Gold?
the side effects are similar to effedra!
I have been taking ZXT gold (still not sure if this is the same thing as zi xiu tang) for three days and have had some side effects. Weird feeling in my head, headaches, problems with vision, and speech. It’s just like I’m out of it. I have NO appetite at all. I’m not taking it again but just wondered how long it took for the side effects to go away for people who have experienced them?
Kim, glad you stopped taking it. I dont like those symptoms at all! Did you go to the doctor?
hello where is the legit stuff??? i want to order
I have been on Xiu Tang Bee Pollen for 4 weeks now…, I have not only did not lose anything but gained 3 lbs and I’m exercising 4 days a week my diet can be better but it states u don’t have to watch… So I personally do not think it works at all
Mike, I shortened the URL you provided because it didn’t work. I agree bee pollen has some b vitamins minerals and other stuff and for healthy people I have no problem with it but I just dont see the evidence that it helps weight loss, slows the aging process or any of the other things they say it does.
Hey Joe,
Not that this has all the answers you’re looking for, but I’ve been doing a little digging on bee pollen and I came up with this: bee-hexagon.net. It does mention bee pollen as a very nutritious food chocked full of goodness and nutrients. I can’t speak for the supplements that have additional things, but bee pollen in and of itself seems like a pretty good source of nutrients.
Hi Julie, Ive never seen any proof that bee pollen helps weight loss.
I have written 2 reviews on the HCG diet -injections and hcg drops – on this site. While I remain skeptical I am glad you are losing weight (and getting healthy) because that is what is important.
Hi. After reading all these posts I think it’s safe to say that Zi Xiu Tang isn’t a good product to take a chance on. However, is bee pollen alone good to take and does it help with dieting? I’m on HCG right now and am doing wonderful on it. I’d like something to maintain with after the HCG. I lost 20 lbs. in 21 days, then maintenance with 1-2 lb gain or loss and now on the drops again. My total today is 24 lbs. It’s an amazing product. I can’t explain, but it works. It’s a very low 500 cal diet, but the drops keep you from being hungry, you don’t lose muscle mass and I feel great. First time in my life I’ve been able to drop weight with success and now I’m seeing the light again. But like everything else I had to do my homework and get the right drops. The expensive ones aren’t the best. In fact I got mine for $15 a bottle (not $80) through a homeopathic company that was recommended.
I’d like your thought on this.
Thank you,
Jules