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.
Jennifer…
My blood pressure was 119 / 75. I did not have any major illness over the winter, and I travel internationally 4-6 times a year and tend to pick up a bit of everything from airports but did not this year. My skin normally breaks out 3-4 days a month and has not since I had started taking it..
I was feeling slightly “off”. not my normal self. went to the doctors and found in talking with her…a list of major symptoms that I would have written off normally as not a big deal. (and I should know better as I do study medicine) Unless you have the blood work and other tests…you do NOT know the damage this does to your body.
Liver and kidney damage is normal with these pills from what my doctor has learned. My stools are not loose. they are discolored. BIG difference. Discoloration is indicative of liver issues. I also lost some weight while on it. and the issues this causes to your body are gradual. not over night appearances. My doc told me if I wasnt in great shape, this could have been worse.
We are still waiting the results and I received notice of another test scheduled about this in the teleretinal imager clinic. That makes 11 tubes of blood, 1 urine, 2 ultrasounds, 1 teleretinal…to check damage caused. There is not issue of IF damage caused. There is issue of HOW SEVERE. Have a doctor do a full blood panel. Unless you do that, you can not say it has not affected you adversely.
Audrey, for every Jennifer, there is a Heather (see above). Which one will you be nobody knows.
Hi to everyone. I want to purchase these pills just to kick start my way to losing 30 lbs that have to come off. Some of the comments confuse me, some scare me, and Jennifer (right above me ) had the most assuring comment, lol. Jennifer wherever you purchased your batch please let me know. Im not looking to take these long term just something as an addition to what Im already doing.
joe
Hi to all of you.. i have been reading some of your comments and to be honest i am confused. There is a new bottle that says “no sibutramine”, does this mean that the tablet works more or less than the other tablets? or does zi xiu tang work at all? can somebody give me the real answer. thanks
I have been on the pills for I think 4 months now and besides the first week or two, i have not had any dry mouth, loose stools, or any other side effect. I have lost 50 lbs in total.
Went from a size 16 to a size 6 now. I’ve actually never felt better. I’ve stopped taking it for a couple weeks twice when I hit plateaus and never gained anything during that time and continued to lose as soon as I restarted taking them again.
I am suppose to be done taking them now since I don’t need to lose anymore but its been a part of my routine for so long that I’m uneasy at the thought of stopping. I am amazed at the fact that I dropped 50 lbs so fast when I originally thought it was an impossible feat.
I have not had blood work done but I can say this was the first winter I did not catch a single illness which is amazing in my house with 5 kids lol. I have had my blood pressure checked though and it has always been good.
Heather, oh my goodness! I had no idea that was going on with you. I hope you are doing ok and able to get around. I’m glad you are keeping monitored by your doctor. Do keep me posted!
Joe…an update…I am still having minor side affects of it even though off for a while…and the symptoms indicate damage to my liver and kidneys as result of the pills. Was at hospital yesterday (11 tubes of blood and urinalysis done). will have results after my followup appointment on 31st.
continuing symptoms –
dry mouth – constant water drinking to fix ended up with over doing it and flooding my cells…
light tan – paste look stools….indicative of liver damage (severity is being checked)
constant chilled feeling…indicative of damage to thyroid
this is from 3 month (90 day) use of these pills. Anyone on it longer…get in to see doc and ask for full blood panel. Anyone thinking about it….my doc knows about these pills and according to her, she is hearing of cases of kidney and liver damage after prolonged use (she started researching this when I started taking it- had not heard of it prior)
Nicole,
because hawthorn can change the way the heart pumps it may alter blood pressure. As for polygonum multiflorum, where are you getting your information from? I rely heavily on scientific research and logic and tend to steer clear from other websites. When it comes to supplements made overseas, I am doubly cautious because I do not know how they supplements are made or if anything is in the product which is not listed on the label.
Joe,
Since I’m really interested in these pills i did a lil research on polygonum multiflorum which u say might alter blood sugar levels cause I’m diabetic n it says it actually helps persons with diabetes also the ingredient hawthorn i dont have high blood pressure but i read it helps control high blood pressure n doesn’t affect it like u stated but I’m confused cause the container also says people w/diabetes or high blood pressure shouldn’t take em i have an appointment w/ my dr next week ima take the container so he can tell me if im able to take em n ill let u guys know if anyone w/ diabetes or high blood pressure has taken these pills please let me know how did u feel n if they worked
Thank You
Hi to all of you.. i have been reading some of your comments and to be honest i am confused. There is a new bottle that says “no sibutramine”, does this mean that the tablet works more or less than the other tablets? or does zi xiu tang work at all? can somebody give me the real answer. thanks
Heather, Joe
Thank you both for the info. I wonder though if taking prenatal pills would give you an effect that would be more favorable for pregnant women. Also, I doubt I could take these long term, as well. I will have to do some research on the ingredients to see if they, too, would become harmful.
In the meantime, I might continue to use ZXT, but i don’t know. Thanks for the info in this site Joe. I’m glad I looked for the cons of this pill so that I can effectively weigh the risks vs the rewards!
Some tend to just read the side panel or “good” reviews without acknowledging the potential risks. Like you said, natural doesn’t always mean safe!
Ariel, Ive never heard of Gold Zi Xiu Tang but there does seem to be a difference between “ZXT” and Zi Xiu Tang. a zi xiu tang distributor has told me they are not the same. see the comments at my “zi xiu tang distributor challenge”
http://supplementclarity.com/zi-xiu-tang-distributer-challange/
Hi everyone,
I used to take Zi Xiu Tang Beauty Face & Figure Capsules (original formula) last year it worked wonders! But this new formula is not working for me at all. Has anyone tried the products from FN (ZXT Bee Pollen Capsules or ZXT Gold Bee Pollen Capsules?) What are the differences between these products and do they work?
Thank you all
S, thanks for the update. You told me some things I had not heard before. It’s interesting they are saying to eat more fruits and veggies as opposed to “eat anything you want”.
Joe…Vitamin E is rumored to be in it…and taking vitamin E has been shown in a few studies to have a benefit to clear skin and healthier hair / nail growth… it could be something as simple as that.
alternative to taking zxt …not herbal but safer…buy pre-natal vitamins…the vitamins do wonderful things for clearing skin, healthier / shinier hair , helps hair and nail growth. plus you don’t have all the nasty side effects.
Doubt there is any real studies supporting this…I have not seen any…but ask any woman who took them during pregnancy…the ingredients aid that “glow” we get. ( walmart carries spring valley brand for 100ct for 4.00)
Tahisha, its hard to say what the long term effects of zi xiu tang are. Nobody has tested it in humans in a clinical study. I have not heard of any body dying or being rushed to the hospital after taking zxt so in that respect I dont think its super bad in healthy people.
As for the active ingredient for the skin I am not sure but I have read some zxt websites say its the lotus leaf . Have you talked to a dermatologist about natural alternatives for skin? I am not sure of the answer to your question (I’ll do some digging for you in the near future) . if you find an answer I would appreciate you letting me know.
Hi Joe,
I haven’t lost any weight but I HAVE lost inches and I feel more energetic using these pills. I work out and eat right, so I am very curious to why I haven’t lost weight since you’ve outlined, and I’ve felt, the laxative effects of this product.
My main reason for continuing use of these pills, though, is the CONSIDERABLE improvement in my skin!!! I do NOT really want to take something to help me lose weight, especially because of the laxative-like risks you’ve outlined in this review, but these pills clear my skin SO WELL!
My question to you is three-fold: What is the key ingredient responsible for my clear skin (fyi I have brown skin and I suffer from hyper-pigmentation, which has improved drastically due to these pills), what can I take as an alternative that will help my skin, and does this ingredient also have laxative-like risks associated to it?
I’ve used this product in the past and when I stopped using it, my skin always started to dull and change back to how it was before I started using these pills. Do you think it will hurt to use them long-term?
Hi, I contacted the person I buy my product from regarding how people are complaining about the lack of results and also asked about the FDA checking the product out. Following are 2 different responses that I received. I thought I’d pass them along as an FYI.
“As for the FDA they actually did pull the product back in the beginning of Feb they tested it and have now cleared the product for purchasing. That is another reason why the boxes and bottles have been updated with a label that says Contains No Sibutrimine, so we were really glad to hear that.”
“I forgot to send your invoice, I apologize. However in the interim we received updated information concerning the supplements from our distributor. In receiving feedback from clients we have determined that the current version of the supplement works best for those that are new to the product.
Clients that have used the supplements before or been on them for awhile and are used to the effects of it are the ones that seem to have adverse results.
With the current version it is necessary to take the 3 pills as recommended by the manufacturer in order to achieve an optimal result and it is necessary to eat more fiber, fruits, and vegetables to keep the bowels moving freely. Where as before No changes in your eating habits were needed to experience a result. I thought it would be good to give you this info first before you purchase so you can decide if you still want to purchase it.
We have been assured the product is being improved. We expect shipment of the new improved product by the end of the month. Because the manufacturer has decided not to provide sample we will provide them ourselves to our clients, so they can try the product again before buying….”
Hello,
I took the pills back in August of 2010 for about 2 months. I lost about 15 pounds and thought I found the miracle pill. I also had the “weird in the head” feelings but I would just drink more water and eat something and they would gradually fade. I did get more frequent headaches but the weight that was coming off, I didn’t mind dealing with the headaches. I went off the pills for a couple months and then decided to try them again. I bought from the same dealer yet this batch did not work at all.
I now see the pills being sold under the name ZTU Gold bee pollen pills, the name being changed slightly and in new packaging. Just wondering if anyone has any idea what is going on?
Susan thanks for elaborating. Its hard to say what is going on with ZXT these days in that some people now are saying the authentic stuff doesn’t work and that the counterfeit stuff sometimes does. I think its all the result of a lack of quality control and as you say, some who want to make more money. God knows what they are putting into the stuff.