According to experts, the weight loss industry is a multi-million dollar business. Despite what companies would like you to believe, there are no shortcuts to weight loss. Exercise is still the best fat burner known to man, and a good diet can do miracles when it comes to weight loss. Over the last decade, however, scientists have discovered that some herbs can push the body to burn fat faster. None of these herbs alone will act as a fat burner, but adding them to the diet can help speed up your metabolism and reach your goal faster.

Green tea has long been considered a powerful fat burner. Studies published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition showed that people drinking five cups of green tea a day burned an average of five percent more fat than people who did not drink any green tea at all.

Another much-studied herb that can be used as a fat burner is bitter orange or Citrus aurantium, which is sold in natural food stores as a food supplement and a way to speed up your metabolism. Bitter orange has shown no side effects, which makes it a great choice for people with high blood pressure, who could not normally take many fat burning herbs in the market, as many of them cause a heart rate increase.

A fat burner you may not have considered is dandelion. This herb, often considered a weed by gardeners, can help the body break down carbohydrates faster and help regulate blood sugar, which in turns controls appetite and cravings. Herbs that make your body "hot" also can act as a fat burner. This includes cayenne, which stimulates the metabolism and accelerates digestion.

Some herbs that are touted as an effective fat burner do little more than increase your heart rate. Many of them may be dangerous, including ephedra and herbal laxatives such as senna and buckthorn. No matter why you are considering taking an herbal fat burner, always research your choices well. If you have questions or are not sure that something is safe, ask your doctor.