Tag: Kalahari desert

For over 20,000 years, the San people have inhabited the challenging environments of Southern Africa, relying on extensive plant knowledge for survival. A key part of this knowledge answers the question: **What did the San people use hoodia for?** They used it to suppress hunger and thirst during strenuous hunting expeditions across the harsh Kalahari Desert.

Native to the Kalahari Desert, the spiny succulent Hoodia gordonii has been traditionally used by the indigenous San people to stave off hunger during long hunting expeditions. This unique heritage has led to its promotion as a natural dietary supplement for appetite suppression and weight loss in many Western countries. However, its effectiveness and safety are a subject of much debate in the scientific community.