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.
heather, i am pretty sure if you are ordering from hong kong, that they are fakes. You can only get the legit pills from a u.s. distributor. Only the big distributors can purchase directly from the manufacturer because the orders come in bulk quantities. The 48ct bottles of pills have not been sold since last may or June. The manufacturer purposely changed the look and the quantity because too many fakes were out there. The real pill comes in a 60ct 30 day supply or 12 ct 6 day supply only! and the capsule must have the red markings around one end.
Just wanted to mention that.
I have known about these pills for almost a year. I was taking them when the changes came into effect.
Karina Floyd nutrition is a legit seller. There are others as well
S. glad to help. It sounds like you have a very smart personal trainer! I’m just outside of Philly – close enough to get there but far enough away that I dont deal with the other “stuff” 😉
Heather thanks for listing all that information! It sounds like you definitely were keeping good stats while taking ZXT. I liked that you kept records of your BP and RHR.
Heather, if your in college now, I’m pretty sure you can get the zxt tested for free -if your professor is curious about the product he/she may just do it for you.
by the way Joe, i found that not all the bottles list the vitamin content. those i have checked this afternoon that were “counterfeit” did not..however the “authentic” ones did. the vitamins in zxt are B vitamins : vit b1,2, 5, 6,7 and 12…b complex vitamins assist in hair and skin…could be where the claims for the beauty part come from, however some of those only work when in conjunction with other types of vitamins that are not present.
i am also curious after reading your site…enough that i will be talking to my chemistry professor about how to get the pills tested for actual content and amounts. if the price of testing isn’t too outrageous, i will be doing this within a week or so.
hi everyone
1- the website to verify, if you input the code and it is “authentic” you get a message in English printed in red in bottom left corner thanking you for your purchase. if it is not authentic…you get a pop up asking for re-enter of the code because it is not correct for authentic product (i took my laptop to my nail salon and had them translate the pop up from a bottle i ordered online for my 2nd month)…
“counterfeit” zxt worked same as authentic…no noticeable difference in side effects or weight loss
2- weight loss /side effects – 33 year old female 5’7 size 12 start…size 8 now – have not dieted nor increased exercise (wanted to see if product my friends raved about was causing weight loss or if their dieting / gym use did)
I have been using this for about 3 months …off and on…take for a week…off for a day…on for a week..etc…2 pills AFTER my morning coffee or tea (normal not senna). i lost roughly 15 pounds doing like this (8 pounds first 2 weeks / 1-2 pounds week since…(taking as soon as i wake up causes slight nausea and increase in cotton mouth, waiting an hour and having coffee and banana or yogurt first eliminates the nausea)
my first week…took on a Monday afternoon, was out with friends on Friday and realized i had not eaten anything up to that point since Monday. (coffee / juice / diet Pepsi was only things i had consumed in 4 days and was not hungry but always thirsty).
nothing changed that week bm-wise. forced myself to eat Friday and Saturday…had loose and frequent bms for the next 5 days. after that initial time …my side effects dropped to normal bms unless i eat something with a large amount of refined flour or sugar…high protein / veggie meals = normal bms….having a slice of cheesecake = runs through me.
energy level up from start – now i have normal low blood pressure / heart rate (80/60 and 45-50) since on this (110/80 and 60-70) suggesting to me that those with high levels should see doc first and be monitored while on it.
extreme cotton mouth when active even now…mild thirst normally
if i dont drink 5-6 cups of coffee in a day, i get withdraw migraines…this has been my whole adult life…no difference with the pills now…tells me caffeine in it is not significant since i still get migraines from not enough caffeine.
i eat what i want ..when i want…however the cravings for things stopped around week 2-week 3…i dont count calories nor refuse myself dessert or pizza or anything else which is why i have not lost 30-40 pounds like some friends of mine have who started at same time and use gyms. one friend started 5 months ago and lost 60 pounds but is now in gym almost everyday.
3- shipping. i ordered my newest batch from hong kong directly…order placed on feb 3, received in today’s mail. it made it through customs and consisted of 5 boxes of 48 each and 5 sample packs of 12 each (6 month+ supply as i go off it for a day each week). so as far as limited shipping in from china on it…i have had no issue with receiving of the product.
ok ..hope this helps people… key points that my friends and i who take it noticed…eat / drink something first in morning. take day off 1 day a week (same day each week is preferred) ..dont take without talking to doc if any heart issues…and from the friends who reached goal and stopped taking it…if you want to do so painlessly…drop from 2 pills a day to 1 a day for about 2 weeks then stop…it will ease your body off whatever is in it that they dont publish. the friends who just stopped had increase in side effects which we think were due to withdraw symptoms from it signifying ingredients not published…none of ingredients listed are addictive.
Hi Joe,
Thanks! I read the article and I agree and understand. My trainer frequently reminds me to take days off and don’t do two to three hours in the gym……..of which I try to do! More because it is addicting.
I’ve been working out regularly since I was 14 with the exception of a few life turns in the past 31 years so at 45 now, I’m happy to be at the level of fitness but grateful to have experience remind me to take a break once in a while. My trainer also stops boot camp every 5 weeks and takes a week break.
Thanks so very much for your genuine concern. I truly do appreciate it. Where in Philadelphia are you at?
S. noticed you mentioned you work with a boot camp personal trainer. Boot camp fitness can be fun but just dont let the trainer push you too far beyond your limits.
In my “other life” where I certify personal trainers, I often tell people about a condition called rhabdomyolysis that has been increasing in frequency because of personal trainers who think “no pain no gain”. most personal trainers have not heard of rhabdomyoysis but it can be quite serious.
Here is a link to a page at my other website that has an article I wrote on it. Print it up and give it to your personal trainer. http://www.joe-cannon.com/home/page.php?page=Articles
Notice the way I mention to “see” rhabdomyolysis in the article. Just wanted to mention this to you.
Are the Zi Xiu Tang pills from Floyd’s Nutrition real or fake? What is the best website to buy them from?
Hi Inertia,
I’ve experienced the same thing. I go off of it for a week here and there and to back on. That seems to help but I have been losing 1-2 pounds a month for about 3 months. I’ve been on it for 6 months. I’m happy with that because I’ve never lost weight after my kids and what did happen is a 1-2 pound per month gain after they turned 1 year old till I peaked at about 196 and I’m 5’2″!!!!! So I will take 1-2 pounds a month. I also work out 8-10 hours per week 5 of those hours are with a bootcamp personal trainer. I’ve been doing that for 2 years and it never made a difference so the ZXT has ignited my metabolism no matter how you look at it.
I just pray to God the FDA does a thorough check but it comes is SAFE!
Thanks!!!!
Sorry, I know it’s been awhile since I’ve posted. I did lose 21lbs in less than 15 weeks as of January but have since stalled. In the last 4 weeks I’ve lost nothing (I still have 40+ lbs to go) and there’s been 2 lbs torturing me by coming and going in that time frame as well. A little frustrated. As I’m in my 4.5 months tenure on this, I was wondering if any of the seasoned users have any advice or similar experiences.
Mia, thanks very much for letting me know about the FDA grabbing samples of ZXT. Very interesting. I’ve noticed the FDA also going after Chinese supplements as well. I hope I am wrong about ZXT. I’ll be eagerly awaiting to hear what the FDA says. Do keep me posted if you hear anything else.
okay Joe, one of the forums that I belong to that discuss zxt wrote this……………………”FYI…..
I received an email today from one of the many vendors and it reads in part…..
We were visited by the FDA today in regards to the product. They have taken a sample of the product with them and will send it to a LAB for inspection. They said that it will take 60-90 days to get the results back, but until then, they will not allow any shipments to be delivered to us once shipments reach the U.S.A. ……….They said that it was simply precaution because the shipments are coming from China. …..Thank you.”
I am not sure what is going to happen. I do know every Chinese supplement seems to end up getting banned from the FDA. I find that suspicious. However, on a good note; at least many of our unanswered questions will be answered. Honestly, I am a little afraid to find out.
I have not been taking zxt because I am on antibiotics and pain meds for a flared up root canal.
I may go with Oxyelite in the future to help get a harder work out.
Hi Everyone,
I’ve been taking it for 5 days no with no changes. I work out but also I’m still drinking 24 oz of coffee every morning…Do you think that’s why I’m not losing any weight? I thought the coffee would probably give me the shakes but I would still lose weight. Is anyone drinking coffee and still losing?
Lisa, that was one of my problems with zxt -Chinese website!
check out my 10 opinions about zxt
http://supplementclarity.com/10-opinions-of-zi-xiu-tang/
They make a LOT of money from the US. they need to make an English .
Hi everyone,
I am having trouble using the verification system. First of all, it’s in Chinese! I tried to use the translator, and an “error” message came up. I have been using this product on and off for a few months. I always have no appetite and anything I eat goes right through me.
I just got a new shipment. I have been taking it for a week. I am So hungry! I am also constipated! I really think this is a bogus shipment. If anyone knows how to use that authenticity system, do tell! Thanks!
Lisa
Jenn thanks for writing. I thought I’d point out that unless you have a thyroid problem, your metabolism probably isn’t slow. Research shows that the heavier we are, the higher – yes I said higher -our metabolisms tend to be.
Thanks for giving me the chance to say this 🙂
I have been taking zxt for about 2 weeks when a friend told me about them. I have lost 10 lbs in about 2 weeks.
I have never been able to lose all the baby weight after having my 5 kids so I thought ok let me give them a try.
The first day or two I did go to the bathroom a lot with loose stools but being a person who only goes at most twice a week, it didn’t bother me. After that I was back to normal.
It does suppress my appetite which would be a plus but I normally didn’t eat very much to begin
with, which is why I had a hard time losing weight. My metabolism is so slow. I force myself to eat something small in the morning, eat a healthy low cal lunch and dinner and only drink water, o-calorie vitamin water or sobe water. I exercise hard for 20 mins (30 day shred video) every day or every other day and mix it up, either morning or night.
I did have some hot flash feelings in the beginning, would wake up a lot at night (even though I’d wake up refreshed) but it only lasted a few days. I also had so much energy in the beginning but not so much anymore. It’s leveled off.
I don’t have frequent bowl movements so that isn’t part of why I’ve lost. It’s my increase in metabolism, not cheating at all in regards to what I eat, only eating healthy low cal meals and exercising. Do I think I could have lost weight doing this in 2 weeks without taking the pills, definitely! BUT do I think it would have been 10 lbs, No.
I only get dry mouth when I’m exercising.
Hi Jess, honestly I am not sure how zxt would interact with your synthroid or your past history with thyroid cancer. It just has not been tested so I dont think anyone knows.
Since you have the bottle, take it to your oncologist and see what he/she thinks about it. Also run it by you pharmacist.
Is there anyone else on the list who takes synthroid and zi xiu tang? Maybe someone else can tell you about their experiences.
About your doctor, egghead or not, he should talk to you like an adult. I would get a new doctor if mine spoke to me like I was an idiot.
Hello everyone…. This has been a wonderful forum. My girlfriend has been taking the pills for about 3 months and has lost significant weight and several pants sizes. I started taking the pills 3 days ago. I decided to start slow and only take one a day for the first week. So far so good, no side effects. I am looking forward to trying this as I am 27 and have not been able to lose that pesky last 20lbs since I had my second daughter.
I do have a question since you seem so knowledgeable…….. About a year ago I was diagnosed with stage 3 papillary thyroid cancer. Since then I have had a thyroidectomy and received the radioactive iodine treatment. I take synthroid every day. While I know you prob cant give me medical advice I was wondering your thoughts on taking this with my medical history? My Doctor talks to me like I am an idiot he is a good doctor but an egghead who lacks bedside manor and I think my gender and age also influence the way he treats me so having said that do you think this drug can affect me adversely or present complications?
Thank you for your time!