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 thanks for the update. You may have done the first “study” of zxt out there today! Ive never heard that zxt might reduce HDL levels. Thanks for all your work and for writing all this at 330am 😉
HI 🙂
My full-spectrum blood work came back….all my levels are within healthy range or improved however my good cholesterol level has decreased (still in acceptable range) since i started taking this 3 months ago. (have not seen report, doc telephoned results since she knows i was taking this and then stopped and wanted comparison) I have stopped zxt due to research i did on it and in past week my bp has also started decreasing as well as my resting pulse rate. (they both were raised while taking zxt from 80/60 to 110 / 80 range…now decreasing again…my normal resting pulse is 45-50…raised as high as 78 while on this at times…back in the 60s range yesterday and day before).
Off this about a week and a half now. To me, based on the research done and my own body’s warped ideas of normal, if there is not caffeine added that’s not listed, then there is something similar…I am not on any medications normally, eat healthy usually, not obese, not sedate. I did not change my diet nor my activity level on this for 3 months and my final total weight loss was 18 pounds in 3 months and so far no gain back. (but since it is a laxative base, could be fecal weight removed and water weight removed plus a couple pounds due to whatever stimulant they put in the pills)
off zxt after 3 month? bms less regular…even though i normally have high fiber diet / eat salads …cramping sensations ended day 4 of not on it. cotton mouth is still present but much less severe each day. sleep schedule is starting to straighten itself out (yes it is 330am but that’s different story). Migraines are back again…they eased off while on zxt but had 2 this past week- 1of them put me in bed for afternoon with blackout curtains up (when on zxt for 3 months i had 4 total)
for women? not sure how it is affecting my cycles yet…only short time off and not got there yet…if any big change to worry of or consider, i will post update later…
I’ve been taking zi xu tang since late August 2010 and have just about reached my target. Early “medicated” feeling went away (or just became the new normal after time). I plan to decrease dosage to one a day for 30 days as recommended.
I had planned to do this anyway. Yesterday I got my lab results from a routine check up in the mail, and there’s great news about my blood sugar, A1C and even my good cholesterol.
On the negative side, my Alkaline Phosphatase is now high. I will certainly tell my doctor next week that I’ve been taking zi xiu tang (against his advice). From what I’ve read, Alkaline Phosphatase level is sensitive to what you eat, medicines and supplements you take etc.
Just wondering if anyone following your discussion has experienced high Alkaline Phosphatase after using zi xiu tang supplements.
Thank you,
Billy the Kid
Sammy, I looked at it for you. I’m skeptical. its got African mango, chromium and a seaweed extract that has iodine (iodine is needed to make thyroid hormone) as well as guggle. Ill add it to the list of big reviews I have planned in the near future. Im skeptical of the claim that you’ll eat 400% less food.
Hey Joe, I was surfing the internet and find this http://www.apidexin.com
I read some reviews saying it’s one of the safest to use? Sorry to be bothersome but can you find out which is better for its safeness and weight loss?
I wrote in about 2 weeks ago about my weight loss journey with zxt. After 2 weeks of taking the pills I had lost 10 lbs. I have been on it about another 2 weeks give or take and I have lost another 13lbs bringing my total on zxt to 23lbs. I have never felt better. Before starting the pills I did lose 10 lbs taking hydroxycut but stopped because I felt so sick.
My total loss has been 33lbs. I would like to lose another 15 lbs to be back to where I was pre-kids, and I have no doubt if i continue what im doing and taking zxt it’ll happen. I went from a sz 14/16 ladies jeans to a sz 9 juniors (with room). I have skipped days taking the pills and still lost lbs.
I think one mistake people make (some who aren’t losing) is not realizing how many calories are in some of the things they eat..I know I didn’t realize until I took the time to research everything I ate. I’ve had to say goodbye to many foods, find low cal alternatives (spaghetti squash instead of pasta) and I never cheat, not even a cookie.
Just be conscious of what you eat, even dishes you think might be healthy can be loaded with calories. Calories in vs. calories out.
Hopefully soon i will be able to report my weight loss journey as over though my new eating habits will forever stay the same.
Raqiba, weight loss is not worth your health. I recommend you stop taking zxt and dont use it again. Tell your symptoms to your friend the doctor who gave you zxt. I hope you feel better.
Hello everybody… I’ve read all the comments and they r really interesting because I’ve had some of the side effects…..I started taking d zxt capsules 2 weeks ago.
I’m in Ghana I got it from a friend (he’s a doctor) that bought it from u.s…but judging from the previous comment I think its the authentic one. Everything had been ok for a while just the little dizziness, sleepless nights n loss of appetite. But now I fell exhausted, my throat hurts n I have a cold. I dont know if its the pills or it because I’m on period for the first time while taking the pills….. I just feel really ill.
Its possible it has nothing to do wit the pills but I’m not on any other medication. Please I just want to know if someone else has experienced anything similar.. Thanx. *and yes I’ve lost some weight since I started taking the capsules.
Your welcome Mia, as i said to Joe yesterday though…with 2 topics running on this subject…threads? (kind of new to this)..it would be nice to have a central location with all side effects / results of each of us ..posted in 1 place with link to it on both threads…actually slept last night..maybe my project to compile tonight and pass on to Joe…
thanks for the list Heather!
Deni, that is exactly the symptoms I experienced when I first started zxt, before all the changes. I could go to sleep at 3a and wake up 7 ready to go.
But before stopping the new formula, I found myself sleepy during the day time and still falling asleep around 11pm. big difference
Thanks, but It feels like i am missing a few…
oooo yeah…my blood pressure and resting pulse are up…but i dont know if others have had that…
lack of appetite…
hmmmm i know there are more….ah well…if i cant sleep at 3am again …you know what I will be doing, and it will be all your fault 😉
Heather, Its been on my list to compile a list of zi xiu tang side effects from all of the comments. you did a pretty good job listing them all right here!
research mode is fun 😉
Hi all….
Mia…your welcome…i am like Joe in the fact that I just want everyone to have best info to make informed choices…
add more veggies and fruits and salads…up your fiber content…use fresh herbs in your cooking…stay to outer perimeter of the grocery store when you shop (inner realm is all the pre-packaged garbage) and you will have same effect…but healthier…
for those who want to try the pills anyway? just remember….there is American version / American version fakes / Asian version / Asian version fakes. it is too hard sometimes to tell which is which….so read old posts of side effects we all have suffered and make decision after if your not on it yet or just starting…
main zi xiu tang side effects…but by no means conclusive….just what i remember from everyone’s posts as well as what my friends and I have dealt with
-nausea
-constipation (can be countered with some coffee intake)
-jitters
-dehydration
-sleeplessness
-cramping (full body)
-cramping (before bm’s)
-frequent urination
-dry / cotton mouth (especially if doing physical activity)
-light hotheadedness / dizziness
-mild blurred vision when standing quickly
-swelling of extremities (usually sign of water retention but not in this case- cause unknown)
-heat flashes
-in men – sexual dysfunction / lack of drive / e.d.
-in women – lack of desire, dryness (noticed by 2 friends of mine but not mentioned in posts by others….shyness of mentioning?)
-altered menstrual cycles (lighter or non-existent -noticed by 4 friends of mine…9 counting me that i know taking it…almost half had cycles affected in some way)
Joe? maybe a link or something to a listing of all side effects in 1 spot so to save people going back 400 posts? like pro/con list? average weight loss and amt with none stated : people with side effects? (yes you got me in research mode again, dang it! 🙂
Mia, I bought the counterfeit product from Ebay. 48 Capsules box.
I requested a refund and she gave it no problem but claimed that even though they are fake they still worked for her (whether that is true or not).
These fake zxt’s are selling well, but I’m surprised buyers haven’t been giving the sellers bad feedback.
On Amazon someone else reported actually losing weight, suppressed appetite etc on counterfeit and didn’t lose any weight with authentic, similar to myself.
There are a range of different counterfeit product, some no effects and some suspiciously have worked for some people as if the real zxt.
The fake product I tried yesterday, though no bad side effects….BUT I only slept 2 hours on and off. I woke up fully alert and still very overly energetic tonight.
I feel like I have overdosed on red bull!!
I haven’t felt hungry today but clearly these fakes are unhealthy….if they weren’t then they would be sold as a separate competitive product.
heather, thank you for the info. I think I am beginning to understand more as information is being conducted. I know that whatever I took back in 2009 worked. But it has been changed soo many times, I dont know what to think. I still can not understand why would they change something that worked?
anyway thank you for all of the research you have been doing. This site is really great. It makes me question any medication now.
Mia, are you a zxt distributor?
Joe, I know what pill in the yellow bottle you are referring to. it is called Yasagata: Slender Figure . I experimented with this when my vendor friend was sent a sample to consider selling it herself. here is the issue she found with this. This is my friend’s complaint to the owner of yasagata. here is the link http://www.facebook.com/pages/Yasagata-Slender-Figure/110339205656319
To those of you here who may be supporting Alecia Chirin by taking her product Yasagata,it has been called to my attention by what would have been a potential customer of hers that she is using MY company information,(mailing and toll free …number) on her website located in the link below. I have requested that she REMO…VE my information ASAP. It’s beyond me why you would have done this at all anyways? I am in NO WAY affiliated with your company or product in the capacity of a seller.( In the interest of full-disclosure, I purchased from her one time,took one time, the product was garbage, I then sent them to someone else who wanted to try and she became DEATHLY ILL and the product was thrown away!) The only conclusion I can come to, is that perhaps you are selling harmful and contaminated products and should a consumer need to contact you, they will be contacting ME instead of ALECIA CHIRIN, who sold you this product. How does one mistake Anchorage, Alaska with PA?. I have taken screen shots of this in the event I am questioned. Consumers please beware! Any vendor who would do this is NOT to be trusted. I have also submitted a complaint with the BBB and will be taking any necessary further actions if needed.
I am the friend she speaks of that felt deathly ill. I literally felt like I needed to go to the hospital. I have a high tolerance to medications but something about this scares me.
anyway…. from what I was told. Mrs. Churin use to be employed by Floyd nutrition and resigned or was terminated on bad terms. She did not agree with something that was going on when the product’s formula was changed back in 2009.
( this is some info, but it looks as if the article is missing information)
http://www.ziweightisgone.com/historyofzixiutang.html
If you guys research you will noticed that the formula in zxt has been changed in 2009, the bottle went from 48 ct with Chinese instructions, to 60 ct with English instructions. Then in 2010 the senna and cassia was removed. So the formula has been changed 2x that I know of. This is very suspicious to me. There is no way to tell what has been added to this.
Also let me add, one of the instructions that Mrs. Churin told my friend, was if we were to combine her pill with 2 zxt ( to act as a booster) then the results would be great. This sound fishy to me and a potential overdoes. If her pill is the great original formula then why combine it? Joe let us know if you find any info.
Deni, I’m curious where did you purchase your counterfeit from??
Deni, interesting. I a vendor once told me that maybe what is being sold as counterfeit is actually the old formula, and somehow the old formula was bought from the creamers of zxt. Idk, but I know a lot of people who are not happy with the new formula. I actually purchased some, but the vendor sent me the old formula.
There has to be more than one counterfeit version though, because the ones I purchased from ebay, made me constipated and I felt no energy, appetite suppression or anything.
Joe, is there anyway I can private message you?
Deni, thanks for saying that about the counterfeit ZXT. I ‘ve been suspicious of claims about counterfeit zxt for a while. Basically this just gets to a gigantic lack of quality control when it comes to zxt – or any Chinese herbal weight loss supplement. Nobody knows whats in them.
I have been taking these for nearly a month, I checked code and they are authentic from Floyd Nutrition.
Feel no different at all except the make me sleep really well!!
I feel more tired but drink plenty(3-4litres) and eat the same as always….not different.
Really reviews on this pill have gone down a lot since they changed the ingredients.
I did something stupid, I bought fake ones last month accidentally, I didn’t try any for obvious reasons but today I tried them and I feel very energetic and not hungry…..hmmmm what is in this counterfeit products!
I opened one up, smells very herby and spicy so seemed harmless but I took the pills 17 hours ago and I am extremely energetic, no bad symptoms but I would be foolish to continue using something which could be potentially harmful or just lots of caffeine!
Curious, has anyone else tried counterfeit ZXT?
People who are still seeing results, they are all using the new formula?