Hoodia Gordonii, one of the hoodia species, has been reported to be traditionally used by the San Bushmen. They use the plant, amongst other things, to suppress hunger. The San Bushmen consume Hoodia when they are on long hunting trips that takes them into the Kalahari desert where food is sparse. The South African Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) isolated the active ingredient and gave it a name, P57. CSIR patented P57 in 1996. With CSIR officially recognizing the San people as the source of this knowledge in 2002, the San Bushmen have become eligible to get a share in the profit from the marketing of Hoodia.

Obesity is a modern day problem. It was almost unknown in ancient times. It is estimated by World Health Organization (WHO) that there are some 400 million adults who are afflicted with obesity. Obesity has become a major public health issue that WHO declared it to be a global epidemic. A sedentary life and bad food habits mostly cause obesity though it is simply preventable in most cases. However, mental illness and often genetic cause too can lead to obesity.  Obesity can be checked in many ways. There is the weight loss program that one takes up to lose excess weight. Diet supplement and medication too are available in the market. There is also a surgical procedure for obesity.

Hoodia Gordonii grows 1 meter high. It is a flowering plant. Khoba, Xhooba and Ghaap are the local names given to it. Hoodia is found to grow naturally in Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Botswana. Hoodia is available in the form of capsules, tablets, syrup and drinks. There are a number of hoodia shakes such as the Hoodia Gordonii Shake Mix which contains 16 vitamins and minerals besides protein and fat. This is to be taken with milk or water.

Hoodia Gordonii is listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). It means that it can become an endangered species if its trade is not monitored and controlled. This became necessary as its popularity led to its indiscriminate extraction from its natural habitats. All export of Hoodia Gordonii from Africa requires a CITES certificate now. This certification also acts as an authentication of the genuineness of Hoodia.