Ephedra is an herbal remedy for colds, fever, flu, headaches, asthma. Ephedra also has been reported to bring the recovery from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome
Ephedra - Ephedra
is an evergreen shrub-like plant native to Central Asia and Mongolia. The principal active ingredient, ephedrine, is a compound that can powerfully stimulate the nervous system and heart.
Common Names--ephedra, Chinese ephedra, ma
huang ;
Latin Name--Ephedra sinica
- What Ephedra Is Used For
- Ephedra has been used for more than 5,000 years in China
and India to treat conditions such as colds, fever, flu, headaches, asthma,
wheezing, and nasal congestion.
- It has also been an ingredient in many dietary
supplements used for weight loss, increased energy, and enhanced athletic
performance.
- Try our Herbal Remedy and Herbal Medicine:
Fatigue Fighter - Natural Remedy for Chronic Fatigue Helps Boost Energy.
- Increase energy levels and feelings of well being
- Improve overall systemic functioning and strengthen the immune system
- Increase physical performance and endurance levels without harmful
side effects of steroids, ephedra, etc
- Assist recovery from Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME or 'Yuppie Flu') and
other illnesses
- Increase stamina, reduce fatigue and listlessness caused by stress,
depression, illness or unhealthy lifestyle
- How Ephedra Is Used
The dried stems and leaves of the plant are used to create capsules, tablets,
extracts, tinctures, and teas.
- What the Science Says about Ephedra
- An NCCAM-funded study that analyzed phone calls to poison
control centers found a higher rate of side effects from ephedra, compared
with other herbal products.
- Other studies and systematic reviews have found an
increased risk of heart, psychiatric, and gastrointestinal problems, as well
as high blood pressure and stroke, with ephedra use.
- According to the FDA, there is little evidence of
ephedra's effectiveness, except for short-term weight loss. However, the
increased risk of heart problems and stroke outweighs any benefits.
- Side Effects and Cautions about Ephedra
- In 2004, the FDA banned the U.S. sale of dietary
supplements containing ephedra. The FDA found that these supplements had an
unreasonable risk of injury or illness--particularly cardiovascular
complications--and a risk of death. The ban does not apply to traditional
Chinese herbal remedies or to products like herbal teas regulated as
conventional foods.
- Between 1995 and 1997, the FDA received more than 900
reports of possible ephedra toxicity. Serious adverse events such as stroke,
heart attack, and sudden death were reported in 37 cases.
- Taking ephedra can also result in nausea, anxiety,
headache, psychosis, kidney stones, tremors, dry mouth, irregular heart
rhythms, heart damage, high blood pressure, restlessness, sleep problems,
irritation of the stomach, and increased urination.
- Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and children
should avoid taking ephedra.
Using ephedra may worsen many health conditions such as cardiovascular
disease, kidney disease, sleep disorders, and diabetes.
- Ephedra use may lead to serious health problems when used
with other dietary supplements or medicines.
- Combining ephedra with caffeine increases the risk of
potentially serious side effects.
- Tell your health care providers about any complementary
and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do
to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.
An herb is a plant or part of a plant used for its flavor, scent, or potential
therapeutic properties. Includes flowers, leaves, bark, fruit, seeds, stems, and
roots. Herbal medicine products are dietary supplements that people take
to improve their health. Many herbs have been used for a long time for claimed
health benefits. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts and
fresh or dried plants. However, some can cause health problems, some are not
effective and some may interact with other drugs you are taking.
to improve their health. Many herbs have been used for a long time for claimed
health benefits. They are sold as tablets, capsules, powders, teas, extracts and
fresh or dried plants. However, some can cause health problems, some are not
effective and some may interact with other drugs you are taking.
Dietary supplement is a
product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino
acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The
U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for
dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.
To use an herbal product as safely as
possible:
-
Consult your doctor first
-
Do not take a bigger dose than the label
recommends
-
Take it under the guidance of a trained
medical professional
-
Be especially cautious if you are pregnant or
nursing
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Why should I use herbal products?
The decision to use herbs to improve your
health is, as with all health decisions, a personal one. There are, however,
many good reasons to consider herbal products to complement your own
health care methods. One of the best reason, however, may be the fact that
herbs and herbal products, continue to provide real health benefits while
maintaining a remarkable safety profile. Readily available natural
substances were the first medicines used by humans. Primitive and ancient
civilizations as well as contemporary cultures throughout the world have
always relied on herbs to provide the benefits that have been observed with
their use. In fact, the World Health Organization has estimated that 80
percent of the world's population continues to use traditional therapies, a
major part of which are derived from plants, as their primary health care
tools. In our own time and culture, most herbs are available in the form of
"herbal supplements." These products are found in the form of teas, tablets,
capsules, liquid extracts, and others. We now have ready access to products
that bring the herbal traditions from all over the world in a variety of
convenient forms. In addition, scientific inquiries continue to develop our
knowledge of the benefits of plants, and often validate the observations
made over the past centuries.
Are herbs safe?
Plants that enjoy broad culinary and
therapeutic usage are generally safe. We can flavor our food with any number
of herbs to make a meal more flavorful. We can appreciate a delicious cup of
peppermint leaf or ginger root tea, or benefit from the soothing properties
of marshmallow root or the bark of slippery elm. We can take an herbal
supplement containing dandelion root or saw palmetto berries, or any number
of the other herbs. Although allergies and reactions have been recorded for
a few herbs that are widely used in foods and supplements, such individual
concerns are also seen with many foods, and do not diminish the safety
profile of the many herbs that are generally recognized as safe. On the
other hand, and as everyone knows, there are any number of plants that are
highly toxic, even deadly.
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