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.
Cheryl….. I do agree with you 100% . If you read the other postings on the other links here you will read I too have the same opinion. As for sibutramine or Merida yes you can so get it with a drs prescription.
It has been banned else where cause my friend just got a prescription from her dr . She is a bit over weight and it was prescribed. The us did not banned this …Cheryl again I agree.. Like I mentioned in other responses to other post in this site . There are lots more worst things out their that are killing people.. And yet no one gets it out of market. I think it should be like buying night quill at Walgreens …
Im going to look into if a doctor can prescribe sibutramine or not. I did uncover this case report where sibutramine caused psychosis in a 22 year old girl who had a history of mental illness. She was also taking a Chinese weight loss product prior to psychosis
http://www.priory.com/psychiatry/sibutramine.htm
So was it the sibutramine or the Chinese weight loss product (or the sibutraminie in the Chinese weight loss product)?
I took these for about 6 weeks and lost 21 pounds. It worked great, and I really didn’t up my exercising much and didn’t change my eating. I went from 206 to 185. For me it helped with my cravings and I felt full eating a normal portion. These worked for my wife as well. The only negative was that once in awhile I had a hard time sleeping.
I know 5 people who have taken these and had great results. So I figured I would give it a shot…. Bad idea for me! The first 2 days I had energy and felt great… Then I started having bad headaches every day NO energy at all and neck pain. Then the 7th day on them my eyelids swelled up with itchy/ burning rash on them!
The next day the rash had spread all down my cheeks and up to my forehead and my eyeballs were extremely dry and burning! I was having trouble breathing, my chest felt tight and I had to make myself swallow and my legs felt like jello!
I went to the doctor and she said I had a severe allergic reaction to them! I was given a steroid shot and a prescription of steroids to take for a week, on top of antihistamine for a week.
This is my 2nd day OFF the bee pollen and my rash is half gone but still having problems with breathing and eyeballs dry and burning.
Please be careful if u get sucked into this “magic weight loss pill”… I’ve never in my life had ANY know allergies to anything! Until now. And don’t trust anything from China 🙂 lol I learned my lesson! This pill is not for everyone!
Additional Comment,
I have been in the fitness industry since the 1980’s and was a body builder during that time and became intensely interested in nutrition and supplements. With age, weight became an issue for me, and so my research into weight loss products became of deep interest.
I too, thought that the zixiutang was a “miracle” product as it helped me to lose the weight that I really needed to lose. However, I am a “healthy” individual who doesn’t take any prescription medication nor do I have any underlying medical issues that would preclude me from taking sibutramine were I to get a prescription for it.
I personally feel that individuals who want to lose weight should not be forced to get a prescription for this medication any more than a cough medicine or other over the counter medications that contain similar warnings on the label.
However, I do agree with the FDA that people have the right to know what they are taking before they take it. Any product can be abused and anything taken improperly i.e. wrong dosage could prove harmful.
The ultimate responsibility for a persons health and what they put into their bodies lies with the individual. However, I don’t feel that persons under legal age should be allowed access to products which could easily lead to their personal harm if they had underlying medical issues.
So I would like to see that instead of banning products containing sibutramine, that they be allowed with proper warnings and labels or be put behind a pharmacy counter like other products and persons who purchase them be made to show they are of legal age.
Of course this would not stop all abuse, but it would certainly send the message that these products do pose a certain health risk to certain individuals and not leave it open to anyone who picks something off the shelf thinking that just because it is on the shelf it is “safe” for them.
Obesity is one of America’s top concerns. The pharmaceutical industry is huge. If America becomes healthy, they lose. Hence the strict regulation of weight loss products in America. It’s big business. Come on big government, don’t hide behind this issue related to sibutramine the real issue of “greed”.
Cheryl, you cant get a prescription for sibutramine because its banned / illegal in the US because it caused heart attacks and strokes. Here is an FDA letter on the issue
http://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch/safetyinformation/safetyalertsforhumanmedicalproducts/ucm228830.htm
I dont think it matters if your “healthy” or not when it comes to sibutramine. Also, you say you are “healthy” but thats based on medical tests and how you feel. many people feel fine -until the heart attack or stroke happens. You have over 20,000 miles of blood vessels in your body. are you 100% sure ALL of of them are healthy? no weaknesses anywhere in any of those blood vessel walls? You cant be. none of us are.
I just gave an interview to a reporter where I said that obesity is a national security problem. That said sibutramine is not the answer. People who are overweight who exercise are still healthier than skinny people who dont exercise.
Hello,
I would like to clarify a bit about the difference between the so called “original” zixiutang and other products made by Floyd Nutrition. Cheryl Floyd, founder of Floyd Nutrition does NOT currently distribute the zixiutang made by Guang Shou ZiXiuTang Biotechnology Co. LTd located in the Guangdon Providence of China.
This is the “original” zixiutang with the brown Chinese writing on the box, and unfortunately there are many counterfeits of this particular product. This product became popular before the FDA could do their research and make a determination ruling that sibutramine could not be used as an ingredient in nutritional supplements.
This ruling took place when people with health problems began to report adverse side affects from taking this supplement without knowing fully what was in them. Although there is no evidence to support that sibutramine “leads to” any heart problem, the concern is that persons who have blood pressure related issues or other health problems who might take other medications could have a sudden rise or fall in blood pressure if they take this product while UNAWARE that the supplement they are taking to lose weight contains sibutramine or other chemicals.
Hence the FDA has made a concerted effort to inform the public of this risk and to stop these internet Weight Loss companies from selling product whether they are labeled all natural or not while hiding the fact that they contain sibutramine or some other chemical that could pose a health risk to certain individuals.
The makers and distributors of these products try to cover themselves by posting a disclaimer on the box to the effect that anyone with any health issue or taking any medication should not take this product. However, this is still illegal as all ingredients are required by law to be on the label in the United States of America.
Just recently the FDA did make a determination concerning ZiXiuTang made by Guang Shou Zixiutang Biotechnology Co. LTD. as well as Ultimate Formula and a long list of other products being sold and distributed in the U.S. that contain ingredients that pose a health risk to certain individuals.
For persons who are truly wanting to keep up to date with the most reliable and accurate information on these products, I would recommend going to the FDA’s official web site and in their search pane type in dietary supplements. There is a ton of information there. To your health, Cheryl (I am not a Floyd) and not related to any Floyd
Cheryl, the FDA never intended sibutramine to be in ANY weight loss “supplement” as it is a drug and does not fit the definition of a dietary supplement. See my FAQ Page for a supplement definition.
The FDA determined that sibutramine (meridia) posed a 16% increase risk in serious cardiovascular health problems. here is the proof
http://www.fda.gov/safety/medwatch/safetyinformation/safetyalertsforhumanmedicalproducts/ucm228830.htm
This refutes what you said about there being “no evidence” that sibutramine is harmful.
I cant comment on the time period between when zi xiu tang became popular in the US and when sibutramine was pulled from the US market (which was 2010) but since sibutramine never should have been in a weight loss supplement to begin with, any company that did add it is unscrupulous and untrustworthy – in my opinion.
I took zi xiu tang a couple of years ago and loved them… But I have not found the ones that actually work
Erin can you let me know which site you bought the zi xiu tang pills… Thanks
If you can’t put the site here for whatever reason please just say a sellers name or if it’s on YouTube or eBay…
I have lost 20 pounds while taking Zi xiu tang. It has helped my energy level, my food cravings and my over all mood. I’m a believer! 🙂
I wanted to mention that I have received the ZXT Gold trial pack pills from Floydnutrition .. They sell samples for a week so you can try them before you buy the bottle and I have been taking them for 4 days now with no side affects whatsoever… No dry mouth …no diarrhea… I sleep perfectly fine and I have not lost a pound… By the fourth day I should of at least felt the dry mouth but nothidoffing far… So I will Not be ordering zxt gold from Floydnutrition ..
Started taking the pills and after 5 weeks I lost 10 lbs and major reduction in appetite. Yeah! However, I had some serious insomnia where I woke up exactly 3 hours after going to sleep and it would take hours to go back to sleep. Not sure if it was the pills or way too much stress at work.
I went off the pills and was sleeping great. Just started back on them today and after only one day, insomnia is back. What the heck? I haven’t read anything about that side effect.
I have even read that one ingredient, Lotus, helps people who have insomnia. What the heck, again? I’m going to try to reduce dosage to one pill a day and maybe that will alleviate the insomnia and I can still have some weight loss effects.
I tried ZiXiu Tang from a co-worker. She gave me a free 3-day trial and right away i noticed the difference. I had a lot of energy, no desire to eat and no jittery feeling that came with a lot of other pills that i have tried. Now keep in mind that I am/was 326lbs and 5’8″, so I was desperate for something to work.
I bought the 30 day supply w/ 60 pills and started losing weight IMMEDIATELY! By the time I finished the bottle, I had lost 16 lbs in 4 weeks. One thing I found strange was that everyone said that the pills were a laxative; but I was actually constipated while taking these; but i thought whatever i lost 16lbs!
When the time came to order again I didn’t want to go though my friend because she was charging me $50/bottle, so I ordered new pills on ebay but those pills didn’t work. I have been searching continuously to find an identical version of what I had. It has been a week since I took my last pill and I feel like CRAP; nauseous, bad headaches, crankiness, my head feels cloudy.
I looked on this site and read a comment where a users stated that Zi Xiu Tang used to contain sibutramine-an appetite suppressant which has been banned. The side effects of sibutramine are : nausea, headaches, and CONSTIPATION! One of the main reasons why sibutramine was banned is because it increases the risks of heart attack and stroke ( and by the way i also had bad chest pains the first couple of days off the pills).
Needless to say, I will no longer be taking this pill. Even though I had great weight loss and miraculous energy (which, for a wife/mother of 2 toddlers w/ a ft job is a GOD-SEND), the risk of possibly losing my life while trying to save it, seems pretty dumb to me.
**Thanks so much JOE for this post, because it wasn’t until I was reading a comment on here with the word “sibutramine” in it that sparked to to research beyond the surface. I still feel like crap but that should wear soon… I hope.
Jasmine, glad I was able to help and I do hope you feel better soon. If not get please get checked out by your doctor.
Joe, do you have any idea where Zi Xiu Tang is manufactured. My concern is the location in a clean environment. I saw on television a filthy place in china were they were making counterfeit drugs and the place was truly unacceptable.
The box that I purchased has a GMP stamp how do you know if this a real stamp. I am hearing so many different testimonies. I know that everyone’s body reacts different to certain drugs, however if this is suppose to be a all natural herbal formula and if that is true some of these side effects sound weird. I have a couple of friends that have tried it and was impressed. I am not convinced yet if I am going to try it.
DCC, I’m not sure where Zi Xiu Tang is made. I have heard some ZXT products are made in Europe but I have no proof of this. Since Floyd Nutrition is the main distributor of the product I suggest you call them and ask. if you get an answer about where zi xiu tang is made please let me know.
& you also have to be aware of the fake ones out there & watch that you obtain the real ones. There are some out there that claim to have the same ingredients but they dont or they have something extra added to add those many symptoms people seem to have of being dizzy and what not.
The only thing I had was a little bit of cotton mouth but that only lead me to drink even more water than I already do. I already drink almost 150 oz or more of water a day. All you need is a good diet and drink plenty of water, no soda sports drinks or anything like that with a lot of sugar and added things to give those flavors that people love.
Water is the best thing for you and your body and you will never feel bad about drinking too much because your body needs to be replenished and will never make you feel sluggish or gain weight from drinking too much. If anything changes in your weight it would be losing anywhere from 5-7 pounds of water weight, roughly thats how much water weight we tend to carry around with us.
I did take the chance on these from hearing from a girlfriend of mine that they would work. At first yes I was skeptical but then I thought well what is the worst thing that could happen?
That next week my girl friend and I decided to try them out along with the exercise program we had chosen. When I started these pills I had not worked out for 4-5 days, I had a curved appetite, & my only physical activity was taking the dog out to the bathroom. I lost about 7lbs in the first 3-4 with these with no excercise & since then I have not taken the pills but have continued with my workout and have been continuing to lose the weight.
They may not work for everyone but they do work and if you eat right and exercise they can help jumpstart the shedding of those unwanted pounds and they can help you get to that goal weight.
When I started I was 5’7” and 190lbs….now I am down 14 pounds and continuing to reach and work toward my weight loss goal.
Does zxt gold bee pollen affect birth control?
can i pass a urine and hair drug test at work if i take Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen?
Lito, I have no idea. Maybe. I have not heard anybody failing a drug test. If you do, please do let me know.
Just a note. I noticed some people are taking ZGT or the “Gold” version. These are the counterfeit pills. Anyway, I just finished my second bottle; meaning I have been on the pills for 60 days. I weighed myself yesterday and I am down to 215lbs. That means I have lost 22 lbs in 60 days!
Anyway, I am getting one more bottle today, which should get me down to 205lbs to 210lbs which is the weight I want to be. I will give one more update in 30 days to let you know the results.
I have now been on the pills for 8 weeks. The first month, I lost 10 pounds. The fourth and fifth week, I lost five pounds. Which means, I went from 137 pounds to 122 pounds in six weeks. I am completing my seventh week and I am down to 218 pounds. I only have one week of pills left from my second bottle.
I am hoping the third bottle I buy will help me lose the last ten pounds so I can get down to my goal of being 6’1″ and 210lbs. Also, I have more energy and go to the gym 5 times a week. I like the results so far and would definitely recommend them.
I have been on for almost 2 wks. Down 14 pounds and feel fantastic.
I have been taking it for 5 weeks. I started out at 6′ 1″ and 137lbs. I weighed myself this morning while at the gym and I am now 122lbs. I am on my second bottle and I am going to keep taking them until I get down to 210lbs. It definitely reduces cravings and suppresses the appetite. I give it a thumbs up!