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.
hi my name is Louise, I just purchased this product Zi Xiu Tang after reading all this review, I wonder if I made the right choice with this product? Granted I have not taken it yet, is there ANY good review at all?? Please let me know.
Hi Joe,
There is a new product out there being distributed by ZXT distributors called Superior Detox Capsules. There is no manufacturer listed on the bottle and I’m not getting anywhere with the distributor I bought them from as to where these capsules are coming from.
I purchased a bottle about a week ago and have lost 3 pounds. I have no where near the symptoms as the original ZXT except dry mouth. They seem to be working but I want to know who is making them.
Has anyone heard of Superior and where they are coming from?
Thanks!!!!!
S. I have not heard of Superior Detox caps. That’s very odd that there is no manufacturer listed and SHAME on the distributor for not telling you. That’s not a person I would trust.
I hope not, I just purchased my first bottle of Hokkaido in hopes it would kick start my weight loss again since I not have bottles upon bottle of zi xiu tang that don’t work…
Amy I looked at all of the ingredients in those Hokkaido pills and none of them should work yet people report it does. It makes me suspicious. here’s my review if you missed it http://supplementclarity.com/hokkaido-weight-loss-pills-review/
From experience I am convinced that Zi Xiu Tang contained the active pharmaceutical ingredient sibutramine. Sibutramine is an appetite suppressant that was prescribed to treat obesity. Side effects include dry mouth, headache, increased heart beat, constipation, insomnia, just to name a few.
I believe the drug was removed from the original formula after it was withdrawn from the US market Oct. 8 2010. That would explain the flood of complaints of an ineffective Zi Xiu Tang and many other weight loss products being sold.
Counterfeit or not, dietary supplements are not to be trusted 100%. Supplements are not formally regulated by the FDA. They do not have to be tested for safety or efficacy before reaching the consumer. For this very reason there have been a great number of products that have been recalled for containing undisclosed pharmaceutical drugs in alarming dosages.
Unfortuneately, a supplement is only recalled by the FDA after it’s out in the marketplace and it has harmed people.
This should be cause for concern for anyone who takes dietary supplements, specially for weight loss! Pills promising so much without any effort. They almost encourage you to eat poorly!
Many of us find out the hard way that there is no magic pill! If it’s working like magic, it’s probably harming you in other ways! If it’s causing you to loose 20+ lbs in a month effortlessly or if it completely suppresses your appetite to the point you have to force yourself to eat, it’s laced! Stop immediately if you feel your heart is racing or you have shortness of breath!
I don’t want to rain on your parade if you have had success! Just be cautious with what you are putting into your body! Nothing is worth putting your health at risk!
Keep in mind that not everyone out there has your best interest at heart!
Be safe!
Vicky I’m starting to think something similar is going on with Japanese Hokkaido Weight Loss Pills too.
I feel the same way. The new pills do not work!!! Is there anything that anyone knows of that works like the old pills???!!!
You had stated above: Warning! 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.
I read totally different: Hawthorn (Crataegus species) has been used to treat heart disease as far back as the 1st century. By the early 1800s, American doctors were using it to treat circulatory disorders and respiratory illnesses. Traditionally, the berries were used to treat heart problems ranging from irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, chest pain, hardening of the arteries, and heart failure. Today, the leaves and flowers are used medicinally, and there is good evidence that hawthorn can treat mild-to-moderate heart failure.
Corrinia, Its true what you say about Hawthorn but back then people were not taking medications. Because hawthorn will affect heart function it is likely that it will interact with medications. The result could be that hawthorn enhances the effect of the medication or competes with the medication and makes it less effective. This outcome could vary according to what the med is. I however feel that hawthorn might have an additive effect.
The other thing to consider is that some hawthorn supplements may contain more or less than what is listed on the bottle. This again could lead to disastrous consequences. And, if someone does does not get their hawthorn from a reputable company, the product may contain other things not listed, that may have other effects. This is one of my concerns with zi xiu tang itself.
I just caught wind of “The Ultimate Formula” Zi Xui Tang pill… apparently it just came out, and they aren’t associated with Guangzhou Zi Xiu Tang Bio-Technology company, and senna and cassia ARE included in their ingredients.
I’m sure it’s just a fake, but the distributor is calling it the original zi xui tang formula, just under a new name. I have not purchased it, I just wanted to throw this info out there. I’m curious to see the results and testimonies of others… if it’s a dud then we know the cassia and senna weren’t the cause for weight loss in the original zi xui tang from last year. Thoughts?
That original bee pollen does not exist anymore. I have no idea what happened and what changed but I am assuming something was in it that should not have been , otherwise the distributors would not be trying to sell other new products like extra strength and ultimate formulas. These do not work either. I am disappointed as well but it makes no sense why it stopped working for everyone!!!!!
pls, I need the original bee pollen that had me looking hot n supper skinny. this new product that they r distributing sucks. pls pls pls!!!!!!!!!!!!
thankyou!
Dina, I have tried several times to get zi xiu tang tested. It would require a mass spectrometer to do this which I dont have access to. I have a bottle of zi xiu tang, given to me by a friend a year or so ago. I just cant find anyone willing to test it for me.
The FDA did seize some zi xiu tang a few months ago. I am still waiting to hear what their test uncovered. When I find out, I will post the results here for everybody to see.
Joe
I have one question. I have a friend that still has a bottle from the end of last year. From the Oct. batch. If i sent you the pills do you have access to getting it tested to see what exactly is in them as opposed to the ones being distributed now?
Dina, Ive already written about african mango
http://supplementclarity.com/review-irvingia-gabonensis-african-mango/
Do read the comments of that review and take notice of “Ian” who took it for several weeks and reported on what happened.
I saw Lichee at Bed Bath and Beyond a few weeks ago and its been on my list to review but just as a first impression, based on what I saw when I read the box, I was not impressed.
Inertia, let me take a look at Oxelite Pro. I have not heard of it. Im writing a review on something called SlimFuel right now. Ill look at the other product soon
I have no doubt in my mind that there was subutramine in the original formula … or at least the formula I received in the fall. The shipment I received in the new year was completely useless and did not have the appetite suppressant the first one did. I never did have the laxative effect so I didn’t have the one with the senna in it either.
It’s interesting that on other message boards for other similar products (ie. lida,etc.) that they are all reporting the same thing at the same time. In other words, a strong appetite suppressant product, tons of weight loss, … and all these results coming to a brief halt at the beginning of this year. By the way, I gained back 10 lbs of the 20lbs I lost in the 4 months I was taking it (the old formula that is).
Anyway, I was just wondering if you had or would be willing to look into a product called Oxelite Pro … it’s often combined with Alpha T2?
You’re still the only reliable source I’ve ever come across for information of this sort.
The only thing is I do not feel anything bad with it now, it just is not working the same way. Someone has recently told me about African Mango and Lichee Fruit extract…. do you know anything at all about that? It seems to claim it does the same thing as what the original bee pollen was doing. Thanks so much for answering me so quickly!!
Dina, the distributors know also that zi xiu tang has changed. Ive seen internal emails which have confirmed this. The distributors are at a loss as well as to what has changed in zi xiu tang and this is why they are saying your body has adjusted to it, which is baloney.
since you have not gained the weight back yet its likely that you will not esp if you watch what you eat and do a little exercise. As Ive said many times, I think people should stop taking zi xiu tang. I dont know what was in it before and I dont trust it.
If you search through the comments for “Heather”, you’ll see that she had some very odd health issues which her doctor feels may have been caused by zi xiu tang. Others have also reported problems also.
While none of this can be scientifically pinpointed at zi xiu tang use, the problems I hear concern me. I feel you should listen to your instincts and stop taking it.
Hi
I have been taking bee pollen since NOv. 2010. The original batch that I purchased which was about three months worth was a dream come true. I thought I discovered the way to never have to worry about gaining a pound again! After I finished that batch which was dated Oct., I purchased my second round that had dates on it that said Feb.
From that batch until now the pills have definitely not been the same. I have been in contact many times with the distributors…
ziuxiutangsuccess.
They say like all the previous posts that your body has just gotten used to it. I know that is not true because when i took a left over bottle of a friend of mines that was dated back in Oct… the pills were a miracle again!
Something has definitely changed since the Oct distribution and it has nothing to do with the senna ingredient. Senna was never in my pills that I ever took anyway! I just purchased the new and improved bottle that is extra strength.
I have to say that I have not gained any weight back but they are definitely not working like the original batch. If you have any information please let me know. I am afraid to totally stop taking them bec i dont want to gain weight. I also think though that something is not right and maybe its time to stop!
Hi Chris. For me I would not take zi xiu tang. I still believe they worked originally because they contained a drug that was not listed on the ingredients. whether I am right or not, I dont know but the fact remains that something has changed in the formula and many people have reported that zi xiu tang no longer works as it used to.
If you keep taking them, please let me and everybody else know what happens (did it work or not, side effect etc).
Whatever you do, dont listen to those kooky zi xiu tang distributors whose answer to everything having to do with side effects is “drink more water”. Its their go to answer for everything – and its a bunch of baloney.
If you have any odd side effects with zi xiu tang stop taking them.
So with all this being said Joe….would you take these pills with your knowledge. Just wondering bc i want to know your personal opinion. i just started taking the pills.