Methods of improving a variety of health related factors including, but not limited to weight, cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels and HDL levels, is provided. In one embodiment, a method of reducing body weight in an overweight subject is provided the method comprises administering a composition containing an effective amount of Hypodaphnis zenkeri, to an overweight subject, whereby the administering of the composition to the overweight subject is effective in reducing bodyweight in the overweight subject.
