Update 3/9/24. If you have not heard of Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen capsules (also called Zi Xiu Tang Beauty Face and Figure Capsules), this is a natural weight loss supplement where some websites actually encourage people to eat what they want! Even the educational pamphlet that accompanies Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen say: “No Diet Restrictions” and that people can achieve “excellent results” even while eating “high fat and high-calorie foods”. The power of Zi Xiu Tang is said to be due to bee pollen and the other ingredients in the supplement. But, things are more complicated than that. This is the second review I've written about the Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen. For more insights on the ingredients, see the original review of Zi Xiu Tang bee pollen. Also, read almost 1000 comments on this review and hundreds of comments on the other Zi Xiu Tang Reviews.
Read The Updates First
I posted these updates above the rest of the content so you would see them first. As you will see below, I originally felt Zi Xiu Tang was a laxative, that still did not fully explain the crazy amounts of weight people were experiencing with this product. I wondered if there might be something else behind these effects.
Unfortunately, the FDA proved my suspicions correct when they found a drug called sibutramine (also known as Meridia) in Zi Xiu Tang -as well as other bee pollen weight loss supplements. Sibutramine has been linked to heart attacks and strokes, so it was banned in the US many years ago.
Update 4/8/14. The FDA warns people to immediately stop taking Zi Xiu Tang Bee Pollen's 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 alerted the public that Zi Xiu Tang contains the illegal weight loss drug called sibutramine. They advise people to not take Zi Xiu tang. Click the link to see the FDA Public Notification on Zi Xiu Tang. It took the FDA 2 years to prove what I knew from the first day I reviewed Zi Xiu Tang. There was no way this stuff worked the way it did – if it only had the ingredients listed…
Update 6/26/12. I have written a review of ZXT Gold
Update 7/25/12. : ZXT Gold has been found to contain 2 drugs, see the ZXT Gold review for more information.
6/18/13 Update. Here is the review of Slim Trim U for more information.
At first, I could not explain the weight loss people were seeing with this supplement. One person who commented on my first Zi Xiu Tang review said he lost 13 pounds in 1 month!
Now I know why…
How Does Zi Xiu Tang Work?
Thanks to a friend who sent me a bottle of these so-called slimming capsules I can tell you that bee pollen is NOT the active ingredient in Zi Xiu Tang.
If Zi Xiu Tang works, it's because it's a laxative!
I know this is true because several of the ingredients in Zi Xiu Tang have laxative effects. I suspected this because many websites selling Zi Xiu Tang use the word “cleanse.” Cleanse is the alternative medicine term for laxatives.
Probably, the most famous ingredient in Zi Xiu Tang is senna. Senna is not a weight loss supplement; it is a laxative. The FDA also classified it as a non-prescription, over-the-counter laxative drug.
Several other ingredients as you will see also act as laxatives.
The problem with laxatives is the only weight they help us expel feces (poop) and water.
What Does Zi Xiu Tang Mean?
The supplement's name doesn't seem to refer to anything specific. When translated from traditional Chinese to English, the name means “self-show soup.” However, when translated from Literary Chinese, the word means “be.” Could this be a reference to bee pollen, the alleged key ingredient?
Zi Xiu Tang Ingredients Label
Even if you wear eyeglasses, you will find it very difficult to read the ingredients in Zi Xiu Tang. The bottle and box abound with decorative Chinese art and characters, making reading the ingredients very difficult.
The red lettering of the ingredients makes it doubly hard to read. I had trouble even when I held the bottle up to a lamp! So, to save you the trouble, I've listed the ingredients here.
Zi Xiu Tang Full Ingredients List
Here is the entire list of ingredients in Zi Xiu Tang.
- Bee Pollen
- Chinese Yam
- Barbary Wolfberry Fruit
- Lotus Seed
- Dietary Fiber
- Green tea
- Rhubarb
- Aloe
- Cassia
- Astrigillis
- Polygonum multiflorum
- Lotus leaf
- Gynostemme
- Radish seed
- Malt
- Mulberry
- Hawthorn,
- “Vitamins”
Tthe first 4 ingredients are not weight loss herbs. I've already covered these ingredients in my first Zi Xiu Tang review. Let’s now talk about all the other ingredients.
Zi Xiu Tang Ingredients and Side Effects
Senna. Senna is a laxative. Because Zi Xiu Tang contains senna, it’s possible that the same side effects from using too much senna may be seen in those who take Zi Xiu Tang. The side effects can include,
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal cramping gas/bloating
- Flatulence
- Dizziness
Because of diarrhea, products like Zi Xiu Tang that contain senna may in extreme cases cause excessive loss of electrolytes. This can lead to muscle weakness and maybe heart problems. This is because electrolytes are needed for muscle contraction and the heart is a muscle.
People using heart/blood pressure medications should not use senna-containing supplements or products that have similar laxative effects.
To highlight what can happen with senna overdose, there is a case report of a woman who developed liver failure after long-term use of senna tea.
In this report, the woman was drinking a liter of senna tea that contained 70 grams (2.5 oz) of senna fruit. Even with this amount, it took 3 years before liver failure presented itself. This is worth mentioning because everybody is different, and people often think “more is better,” which isn’t always true.
Unlike the laxative effect of fiber, senna is a non-fiber laxative. It works differently to relieve constipation. One of the ingredients in Senna is a class of compounds called anthranoids, which exert laxative effects by damaging the cells of the colon. Because of this, some have speculated that long-term use of senna, may increase the risk of cancer
Because senna supplements have not been studied for long-term use, it is hard to say if this is true or not.
Senna products should be avoided in people who have
- Hemorrhoids
- Heart disease / Blood pressure issues
- Abdominal pain
- Bowel obstructions
- Pregnant or nursing mothers (for obvious reasons)
- Diabetics
In theory, long-term use of senna supplements may make it harder to defecate as the person becomes dependent on the product.
People who take Zi Xiu Tang may notice that the color of their urine looks pink or rust-colored. This is probably due to the senna (and polygonum multiflorum, discussed below) and is not dangerous.
Update: In 2010 Senna was apparently removed from Zi Xiu Tang. Some people report that their bowel movements are less while others report no change. See the comments for more information.
Cassia. Zi Xiu Tang also contains Cassia. While the word cassia is sometimes used to describe the spice, cinnamon, I don’t think this is how they are using the word because cassia can also be another name for senna.
Both of cassia and senna are listed separately on the Zi Xiu Tang label; cassia appears first, followed by senna. Both words are sometimes used together (“cassia senna”). Other names for cassia senna are Cassia acutifola, and Cassia angustifolia.
If cassia on the Zi Xiu Tang label refers to cassia senna, then this, too, is a laxative and likely works synergistically with senna to promote a greater laxative effect.
Green Tea. Zi Xiu Tang also contains green tea. Because green tea contains caffeine, it’s theoretically possible that the caffeine may slightly raise metabolism. This is likely why the Zi Xiu Tang says “increase metabolism” and “increase energy” on the front of the display box. The box does not say how much caffeine is in Zi Xiu Tang.
Rhubarb. Zi Xiu Tang contains Rhubarb which also has laxative effects. It may also have estrogen-like effects. Rhubarb may act synergistically with senna and cassia to cause a greater laxative effect.
Aloe. Zi Xiu Tang contains aloe as well. Aloe juice also has a laxative effect however the bottle does not say if Zi Xiu Tang contains aloe juice or not.
Astragalus. Like all herbs, there are many types of Astragalus. Often used to treat the common cold, this herb does not seem to have any laxative effect. As for astragalus side effects, in large amounts (about 1 ounce, which is likely more than is in Zi Xiu Tang) this herb may increase the immune system which, while good for some can also be bad for others like those with some immune system disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis.
Polygonum multiflorum. This is an herb also known as Fo-Ti and Ho Shu Wu. Some research notes Polygonum multiflorum has a mild laxative effect. At least 7 case reports have noted liver problems including hepatitis resulting from use/misuse of this herb.
Other reports hint that Polygonum multiflorum might alter blood sugar levels (that may be bad for diabetics).
On a side note, Polygonum multiflorum may also be found in supplements designed to lower cholesterol; research suggests that extracts may lower cholesterol and increase HDL. More research is needed to confirm this.
Gynostemma. Some websites say this herb can both cause both weight loss and weight gain. In this respect, Gynostemma might be classified as an adaptogen. An adaptogen is a non-medical term used in some circles to describe how a supplement “adapts” to your needs. Websites also claim that gynostemma has laxative effects.
Radish Seed. I could not locate any weight loss effects of this ingredient.
Malt: I could not locate any weight loss effects of this ingredient.
Mulberry. This contains fiber which acts as a laxative.
Hawthorn. People who take medications for high blood pressure or a heart condition should not use hawthorn or supplements containing Hawthorn. Hawthorn does influence the way the heart pumps. This means hawthorn can interact with your heart or blood pressure medications.
Vitamins. Zi Xiu Tang lists “vitamins” but does not indicate which vitamins it contains.
Ingredients that are Laxatives
To recap, here are the ingredients in Zi Xiu Tang that are laxatives
- Senna
- Cassia
- Rhubarb
- Aloe (if it contains Aloe juice)
- Polygonum multiflorum
- Gynostemma
- Mulberry
For more info see my review of Zi Xiu Tang Side Effects
Who makes Zi Xiu Tang?
The company that makes zi xiu tang is said to be the Guangzhou Zixiutang Biotechnology located in China. The strange thing is that I've never been able to find a picture of what this company looks like. Google searches turn up no pictures of the company. Even the website for the company – cn-zixiutang.com – does not show a picture of the company (the website no longer exists).
For more info on the company, see my review of the bee pollen weight loss supplement Slim Trim U.
Zi Xiu Tang Warning Label
If you read the label of Zi Xiu Tang you see this warning of who should not use the product (I'm quoting them verbatim):
“Not Suitable For:
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. People who suffer from either liver, kidney, Heart Disease, or High Blood Pressure. Adolescents, Elderly, Depressed people, or Anyone with bee or pollen allergies.”
Does Zi Xiu Tang Work?
There is little clinical evidence of weight loss effects for most of the ingredients in Zi Xiu Tang. If it really works, it may be due to laxative effects. Some websites that sell Zi Xiu Tang say the product does not contain sibutramine (weight loss drug), or other drugs like Rimonabant (weight loss drug), Phenytoin (anti-seizure drug) or Phenolphthalein (has laxative effects). This is perhaps a response to previous FDA action against bee pollen-containing weight loss supplements. Does it work as well without pharmaceutical enhancement? You tell me.
Derrick, funny you should say that. Another guy said he had some sex problems when he was taking zi xu tang. If you scroll up through the comments you will see what he wrote. Im not sure what could be the cause of this. If I remember the other persons sex problems subsided a few weeks after stopping zxt.
I’ve finished my first bottle with decent weight lost about 15 lbs. the first time i took the pills felt wired, but since then nothing. i do have a concern though because im having weakened orgasms now. what could be the causes of this?
I had ZXT for a week and I see no effects at all! It didn’t decrease my appetite, I tried to eat less in each meal but I will feel hungry again an hour or so after my meal. Not feeling much about the side effects either, except I feel really tired in the day time and can’t sleep properly at night. I ordered a sample pack of 12 pills from ZXY success, it looks authentic to me, but I can’t be sure.
I have been taking ZXT for a little over 2 months. I was 152 when I started and today I just hit the 20 pound mark at 132. I have steadily lost 2-3 pounds per week. In the first week I was extremely thirsty, shaky from too much energy, and stomach cramps, so I cut down to half the dose. There are some days I forget and don’t take it at all. I do not have any bad side effects, only good – I have energy now! Cravings for sweets are gone. I have to keep track of my calories to make sure I eat enough!
Am I claiming it is a miracle pill? No, I still have to stay within my calorie range and that is what is probably causing the weight loss. But ZXT is definitely helping me to do so!
Hi Joe, Carrie and CJ,
I too had the symptoms of racing heart and rashes. I am a persistent son of a gun and refused to give up on ZXT because it really helped me lose. I lost 16 lbs. in the first 6 weeks but now after 6 months I’ve lost a total of 25.
I am very pleased but……..back to the heart, rashes, blurred vision, night tremors, increased BP plus all the other normal reactions of dry mouth and decreased appetite and diarrhea. I found, through another person on this site, that I had an allergic reaction to Hawthorn.
So I thought well it will either make or break me and if it is a natural source my body will adapt sooner or later. It did. I no longer have any side effects. My weight loss has slowed but I am still losing. I also stopped taking it as soon as I woke up and started taking it mid morning or lunch with a meal and it made a world of difference with the side effects.
Hope this helps!
I’ve been taking the zxt for three days now, so far no side effect..I will weight myself after a week and i will keep you posted.
Hi Carrie. Yes if you read through all the comments (I know there are a lot of them) you will see others who have had heart racing symptoms when they took zxt. It may be due to the caffeine and hawthorn which is in zi xun tang. I personally dont like that symptom in anyone. If you read over the comments youll see many other zxt side effects. Does anyone else want to help Carrie?
Hi everyone!! I had been taking the zxt for about a week and had lost about 6lbs, so I slacked and didn’t take it for a week. Once I started taking it again, I noticed my heart racing, has anyone else had this?? I am healthy and only need to lose about 20 lbs, and healthy minus my PCOS.
Well, I feel weird and crazy because I don’t have much good to say about ‘zxt’. I’m on my second bottle, started taking it 6 weeks ago. I’ve lost a whopping 5 lbs and 3 inches. That frustrates me bc I know I can do better than that, and I have, without pills, just by eating right and exercising, but I thought I’d give it a try.
Well, I did gain some ‘things’ – frequent headaches, dizziness, blurred vision, brain fog (to the point that my husband and children actually asked what I had been drinking!), and acne/breakouts worse than I ever had as a teenager (it itches like crazy, and stings awful, not to mention looks terrible – and at 50, yes 50, at least I had a nice clear complexion going for me – had).
Okay, I should confess that yes, it has curbed my cravings and appetite some, and has given me more energy. So, I’m taking a break, for at least 3-4 days to see if my face will clear up at all. But even if it does, I’m not convinced that it really works. At least I am not happy with my weight loss so far.
Shirley, toss out your zxt. some of your symptoms were similar to those described by Carder (see Carder’s comment). I suggest you go to your doctor. Tell your doctor how much water you have been drinking also.
Carder, please go to your doctor today and get checked out. I dont know what was causing your bizarre symptoms. The passing out and vometing blood has me concerned. I would feel better if you got checked out by your doctor.
Remember, drinking to much can be dangerous. when you go to the doctor tell him/her how much water you have been drinking and see if that may have caused the shakes/no energy/groggy feelings you were having.
let me know what they say.
I am a 20 year old female, (started at 164 pounds) I have had weight loss results. 16 pounds in two weeks. However when i stopped taking them i couldn’t go to the restroom, when i did there was blood and was very difficult. I also have been vomiting with a little bit blood. Some other side effects i witnessed were: Nausea, diarrhea, severe cramps no appetite, i had to force feed myself, I passed out, had the shakes (sugar was not low), I felt groggy, and tired NO ENERGY, and i could not sleep at night. I took them for a total of 3 weeks and decided this feeling was not worth the risk. I imagine that i was depriving myself from what my body needed. I seriously did not eat but once a day and it was a tiny bit of food. I have been off the pills for 2 weeks and i STILL do not want to eat anything. I still feel horrible, what should I do? I am drinking water and trying to eat healthy food.
WOW! i have lost weight, but it wasn’t worth it. I passed out, couldn’t eat, was nauseated, weak, and simply miserable. I am glad i read all of this now it makes sense to me. My body is still not recovered all the way.
Hi Everyone,
I am a little confused because I am one of the few that is not having any results from this product. I’ve been taking ZXT pills for 2 weeks now and I haven’t lost a single pound. I am not experiencing ANY of the symptoms that the majority of people are reporting (no thirstiness, no suppressed appetite, no extra energy, etc). I am literally NO different! I am pretty sure that my pills are authentic because I bought them from the most popular manufacturer in the US (Floyd nutrition) and I even checked the authenticity code on the bottle, which has verified that the pills are real. I am eating no worse than my usual (I actually eat really healthy) and have continued my 3-4 times per week workout. Does anyone have any thoughts why it’s not working? Is anyone else having the same lack of results??
Thanks!
Mia, It may be beause its a cheaper product (I dont know what senna costs). I wonder if maybe the zxt company may not want to be tied to the senna side effects – but they know how much senna means to the success of zxt, so by saying drink senna tea they still can say “zxt has no senna”.
Im guessing on this but other than what you said, I cant think of a reason why they would say to drink senna tea after taking senna out of zxt.
Nikki
yes thats fine. Senna tea can be dangerous if people dont know what they are doing. I do seem to remember somebody dying from drinking too much senna tea years ago. not sure how much they drank.
a friend works at a salon and they are all on it. they became a distributor and they are promoting this tea be drank once a week since the senna was taken out of the ZXT. there’s another type of tea also but i was in such shock when i saw the senna tea that i didn’t pay much attention to the other one. i was horrified! the owner had blood in her stool after drinking it only once. it does say on the box to ONLY have it once a week. if its OK with you i will get the exact name and maker of the tea and post it. i told my friend to have her boss take it off the shelve asap. i wouldn’t want something to have a bad effect on one of their clients and have that on my head i know that for sure.
hi Nikki hope you had a great vacation. When you say makers, who exactly are you talking about? I ask because I know the manufacture site its hard to contact someone. If you are saying that one of the zxt distributors that you purchase from are suggesting this, then it makes sense. They want customers to think that they are losing more weight, therefore happy customers. Im with you, Im totally against that. If you want to use the bathroom more I would just eat more fruits and veggies. I do not understand why prole think that bowel movements = weight loss.
Joe, I wish I knew what was going on over there in zxt headquarters. I makes me wonder if taking senna and cassia out = a cheaper product to make? I have no idea, I assumed that they would start selling zxt with senna under new name for more money.
Wow! Nikki thanks for saying that! So they took Senna out of ZXT but are still advocating that people use senna? Why did they take it out if they are just going to tell people to keep using senna? That says to me that they know senna doesn’t work as well without the senna. Thanks for the update!
ALSO, i wanted to say that apparently (this may be something you have already talked about) the makers of ZXT are suggesting a SENNA tea be drunk once a week to make up for the senna and cassia that was taken out of the supplement. i am SO against this! i know two people who have drank the tea and one was having BM’s with blood 3 days later from going so much the other person was having severe cramping. Im so conflicted about this. i love the ZXT results but the TEA just isn’t healthy. If you look up Senna all the side effects eventually lead to death..or dependency on the herb just to go to the bathroom!