Margarita Artschwager Kay
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 Ephedra is effectively used for urinary problems. It contains resins, much tannin, and a volatile oil (Duke 1985:177).
¦ EquisetUtn (Equisetaceae)
HORSETAIL
Equisetum laevigatum A. Braun, also Equisetum hye-male L. kawasiola, Tarahumara; canutillo del llano, Colorado Spanish; cola de caballo, Spanish
Equisetum spp. cola ce caballo, Tepehuan, Mountain Pima, Baja California Norte; horsetail, scouring rush, English
Equisetum laevigatum is a small, unbranched herbaceous plant with ridges along the stem and a spore-bearing cone at the top. |
| Homeopathy employs many of the plants that are discussed in this book, including Acacia, Achillea, Agave, Aloe, Anemopsis, Argemone, Aristolochia, Artemisia, Asclepias, cactus species, Cannabis, Cassia, chamomile, Chenopodium, Datura, ephedra, Eryngium, Euphorbia, Gnaphalium, Guaiacum, Haematoxylon, Jatropha, Juniperus, Krameria, Lippia, Mentha, Paeonia (Zexmenia), Plantago, Plumeria, Quercus, Rosa, Rosmarinus, Rumex, Ruta, Salix, Salvia, Sambucus, Senecio, Solanum, Tumera, Valerian, Verbascum, Zea.
4. |
Simon Mills and Kerry Bone
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 Contraindications for respiratory spasmolytics
The use of respiratory spasmolytics may be contraindicated or inappropriate in the following:
• in the case of solanaceous plants: glaucoma, urinary retention, paralytic ileus, intestinal atony and obstruction
• in the case of ephedra: appetite disorders, glaucoma, prescription of MA01 -inhibitors
Application
Respiratory spasmolytics may be taken at any time of the day as required for immediate effect. |
Margarita Artschwager Kay
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| However, no southwestern ethnographic source identifies the flowers of Salix, the source of pollens, as having been used for medicinal purposes;7 nor for that matter are the flowers of ephedra, Chenopodium, or Larrea the medicinal parts.
Pre-Columbian Exchange in the American and Mexican West
Through trade, the peoples of ancient Mesoamerica and the American and Mexican West might have exchanged knowledge about medicinal plants. |
American Medical Publishing
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| Do you still want to take a dietary supplement containing ephedra? It's your choice. It's okay with the FDA. You make the decision!
In the meantime, here are some other diet supplements the FDA has issued warnings about:
• Comfrey (Symphytum officionale (common comfrey), Sasperum (prickley comfrey), and S. x uplandicum (Russian comfrey).
These plants are a source of pyrrolizidine alkaloids that present a serious health hazard to consumers when they are ingested. The use of comfrey in dietary supplements is a serious concern to FDA, they say. |
| Ma huang
Ma huang is one of several names for herbal products containing members of the genus ephedra. There are many common names for these evergreen plants, including squaw tea and Mormon tea. Serious adverse effects, including hypertension (elevated blood pressure), palpitation (rapid heart rate), neurophathy (nerve damage), myopathy (muscle injury), psychosis, stroke, and memory loss, have been reported to FDA with products containing Ma huang as ingredients and are currently under investigation. |
Christian Ratsch
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 Preparation and Dosage
A tea (made with 1 heaping teaspoon of ephedra herbage boiled in XU liter of water for five to ten minutes) can alleviate hay fever, bronchitis, asthma, or asthmatic complaints very well. The fresh or dried herbage can also be added to heavy wine or brandy. The astringent taste can be improved by the addition of cardamom, anise, and fennel. The daily dosage of ma-huang herbage is listed as 1.5 to 9 g by itself or in combination preparations (as a tea); the daily dosage of the root ranges from 3 to 9 g (Paulus and Ding 1987,123*). |
American Medical Publishing
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| According to the FDA, the following substances in dietary supplements are among those that can raise serious safety issues: chaparral, comfrey, lobelia, germander, willow bark, ephedra (ma huang), L-tryptophan, germanium, magnolia-stephania preparations and dieter's teas. In addition, some vitamins and minerals can cause problems for some people when taken in excessive doses. Finally, a label of "natural" is no guarantee of a product's safety or effectiveness. |
Sharol Tilgner, N.D.
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 Ma huang, ephedra sinica/spp., is an alpha and beta adrenergic agonist. It also releases norepinephrine from sympathetic neurons. It is a diuretic, diaphoretic, antispasmodic, decongestant, bronchodila-tor, anti-inflammatory and antitussive.58'59 It keeps the airways open, allowing free flow of air due to its antispasmodic nature. It is also an extremely drying herb, decreasing congestion in the respiratory tract. Ma huang is anti-inflammatory and has antiallergenic actions. The anti-inflammatory effects are largely due to ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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 We know that ephedra can speed up metabolism, which helps the body burn fat faster. In addition, Saint John's wort is reputed to be a natural appetite suppressant. As yet, there are no studies to confirm that these herbs will work well together.
Beta-hydroxy Beta-methylbutyrate (HMB)
HMB is among the most popular of the new sports supplements. A byproduct of the breakdown in the body of an amino acid called leucine, HMB may enhance the effect of vigorous exercise by building muscle and reducing body fat. |
Ralph Golan, M.D.
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 Antiallergy herbal combination formulas containing ephedra may also be effective.
• Take quercetin (one or two 300- to 500-milligram capsules three or four times a day). Some preparations of quercetin contain bromelain and vitamin C.
• For eye symptoms, a tincture of eyebright (five to fifteen drops three or four times a day), especially mixed with belladonna tincture, may bring dramatic relief. The mixture should be four parts eyebright to one part belladonna. |
| Warning: Too much ephedra can increase your heart rate and be too stimulating. Do not use if you have high blood pressure or heart disease.
• Allerplex I, an anti-allergy herbal combination capsule (one to three capsules two to four times a day), can help diminish and control symptoms. Available from Herb Technology/Khalsa Health Center of Seattle.
• Try an herbal tincture of equal parts lobelia, cayenne, and skunk cabbage (1 teaspoon of the mixture followed by a glass of water every fifteen minutes until breathing improves). Most herb stores will have a similar formula or can mix it for you. |
Earl Mindell, R.Ph., Ph.D.
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| If used in excess, ephedra can cause dangerous side effects such as heart arrhythmia. Therefore, if you use "herbal Phen-Fen," be sure to follow the directions carefully and do not exceed the recommended dose. I advise that anyone who has a history of heart disease, or who is taking a prescription antidepressant, first obtain medical advice from a doctor or natural healer before taking this preparation.
The unusual name of Saint John's wort dates back to the Middle Ages. Legend has it that this plant sprang from Saint John the Baptist's blood when he was beheaded. |
| People respond differently to caffeine and ephedra. Some people may be highly sensitive to these stimulants, while others can use them with no adverse effects. Frankly, I'm not too keen on stimulants, but if you do use them, be careful not to overdo it. If you feel dizzy, anxious, or restless after using these products, discontinue use.
Avoid the thermogenic agents found in typical diet pills that contain amphetamine. These drugs not only can cause adverse reactions in many people but can be habit-forming. |
Ralph Golan, M.D.
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| HERBAL REMEDIES
• ephedra and camellia, along with the nutritional supplements N-acetylated glucosamine and L-cysteine (one or two capsules two or three times a day) have been used successfully in weight loss programs. Both are available from Scientific Botanicals of Seattle.
OTHER THERAPIES
• Weight loss and improved health are achieved and maintained partially by regular exercise. Exercise at least four to six times a week. For the beginner, a forty-five- to sixty-minute walk will suffice.
• Acupuncture can help control food cravings and favorably alter the body's metabolism. |
American Medical Publishing
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| The concentrations of these alkaloids depends upon the particular species of ephedra used. Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are amphetamine-like chemicals used in OTC and prescription drags. Many of these stimulants have known serious side effects.
Ma huang is sold in products for weight control, as well as in products that boost energy levels. These products often contain other stimulants, such as caffeine, which may have synergistic effects and increase the potential for adverse effects.
II. Amino Acids
Amino acids are the individual constituent parts of proteins. |
Linda B. White, M.D.
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 These include caffeine as well as caffeine-containing herbs such guarana and kola nut. ephedra (ma huang) is another stimulant herb that can dramatically increase anxiety.
ţ Improve your diet and nutrition. Deficiencies of certain vitamins and minerals have all been associated with anxiety. These include the B vitamins, vitamins C and E, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, and omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. The stress of chronic anxiety may increase your need for these nutrients. |
Glenn W. Geelhoed, M.D. and Jean Barilla, M.S.
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 This treatment works because the ephedra plant contains the substance ephedrine, a natural decongestant. CAUTION: This remedy should not be used by people with hypertension. mustard Because the Chinese believe that leaf mustard provides a warm energy, and that the pungent taste promotes circulation in the lungs to relieve mucus discharge, they make a tea by boiling 5 grams of fried leaf mustard seeds with 10 grams of fried radish seeds, 5 grams of dried orange peels, and 5 grams of licorice — and drink as needed.
In other parts of the world, people prefer a topically applied mustard paste. |
Michael T. Murray, N.D., Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D.
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 Ephedra can be combined with herbal expectorants as described in this chapter.
• Tylophora asthmatica: 200 mg of tylophora leaves or 40 mg of the dry alcoholic extract twice per day
• Licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra): (all dosages three times per day) Powdered root: 1-2 g
Fluid extract (1:1): 2-4 ml Solid (dry powdered) extract (4:1): 250-500 mg the respective figures were 32 and 23.8 percent; at eight weeks, 23.8 and 8.4 percent; and at twelve weeks, 14.8 and 7.2 percent. The incidence of side effects, such as nausea, partial diminution of taste for salt, and slight mouth soreness, was 16. |
Simon Mills and Kerry Bone
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| As could now be explained pharmacologically, these remedies tended also to dry up the mucosa and had other less desirable effects so less powerful remedies were also popular. ephedra sini-ca (ma huang) from Asia was popular when it reached Europe and works through a sympathomimetic action. Other gentle remedies include culinary herbs like hyssop and especially thyme,7 horehound and the North American gumplant, Grindelia comporum.
Anticatarrhals
There are a range of popular herbal treatments for a range of respiratory mucosal conditions whose action still remains mysterious. |
| Antiallergic herbs
The principal antiallergic herbs for respiratory tract allergies are ephedra, Albizzia and Scutellaria baicalen-sis (Baical skullcap). Urtica (nettles) is another herb with antiallergic properties which can sometimes be useful, especially for allergic rhinitis.
Multipurpose remedies
As can be seen from the above, some herbs may fall into several categories. This is either because they contain several active components or a group of active components are acting in several different ways. |
Michael T. Murray, N.D., Joseph E. Pizzorno, N.D.
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| This approach appears to have considerable merit, as ephedra and its alkaloids have proven effective as bronchodilators for the treatment of mild to moderate asthma and hay fever.59,60 The peak bronchodilation system. High-dose vitamin C therapy may also help asthma patients by lowering their histamine levels.34
Vitamin C exerts a number of effects against histamine. Specifically, it prevents the secretion of histamine by white blood cells and increases the detoxification of histamine. |
Simon Mills and Kerry Bone
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| This move was regretted by practitioners who use ephedra for a range of beneficial effects in lung problems, febrile disease and allergic conditions.15
A review of 18 case reports of pennyroyal ingestion documented moderate to severe toxicity in patients who had been exposed to at least 10 ml of pennyroyal oil. In one fatal case, postmortem examination of a serum sample, which had been obtained 72 hours after the acute ingestion, identified 18 ng of pulegone per ml and 1 ng of menthofuran per ml. |
Margarita Artschwager Kay
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| The largest quantities of pollen came from seven kinds of plants that are known throughout much of the world today for their medicinal properties,5 including five that are employed today as medicines in the American and Mexican West: Achillea, Centaurea, Senecio, ephedra, and Althaea. The use of Achillea (plumajillo, yarrow) species can be traced from Siberians and Aleutians, Inuits, and Tlingit Athabascans of Alaska to Mexican Americans of Colorado, who employ the plant as did the ancient Aztecs—for wounds as well as stomachache, cough, and urinary complaints. |
Isadore Rosenfeld, M.D.
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 If you add a few drops of eucalyptus oil to a vaporizer, your stuffy nose may open up a little; patients have told me that lungwort tea improves hoarseness, that herb tea with ephedra is an effective decongestant, and that elm bark tea suppresses a cough. I suppose I'm old-fashioned, but I worry about taking any product, natural or man made, whose ingredients have not been tested as thoroughly as any other medication. It's not that I think herbs are ineffective. On the contrary, I fear some of their undocumented, potential side effects. |
Margarita Artschwager Kay
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| Senecio (calancapatli, groundsel) is used by many peoples here for sores and is also used by Aleuts. ephedra (canutillo del campo, joint fir) is used for urinary complaints by Paipai, Mexicans, and Mexican Americans. Plant relatives of Althaea in the Malvaceae—in the American and Mexican West represented by Malva (mallow)—are known by many ethnic groups as having a soothing and cooling action (Lietava 1992:265).
A site in Chile dated 13,000 years ago suggests a long history of healing with plants indigenous to the New World. |
Kathi Keville
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 In a few cases, such as with the herb ephedra, a purified amount of the active ingredient is added to increase potency to the stated level. To achieve this, certain important compounds are isolated and others are often discarded. Some herbalists refuse to use herbs that have been altered in this way, but many laboratory scientists prefer them for their consistent strength.
USP Standardized. Until tinctures began to be replaced by synthetic drugs following World War I, they were commonly sold in pharmacies and were made according to proportions set down in the U.S. |
| Ma huang, which is also known as Chinese ephedra, is a potent herbal antihistamine. It also stimulates the adrenal glands and the nervous system and misuse of this herb has caused several deaths, so you must discuss its use with a doctor knowledgeable about herbs before giving it to your child—it can be particularly detrimental for a child who has a weak heart or is run-down. A gentler approach comes from onions, which contain a newly discovered compound that reduces the severity of asthma attacks. |
Simon Mills and Kerry Bone
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| Ephedra the daily dose is 45-90 mg of alkaloids (about 4-8 g of herb which is similar to the range in Table 6.1). Occasionally, where tincture and extract doses are given by the Commission E, there is not always a good correlation. For example, the single dose for valerian tincture is 1-3 ml and yet the single dose for a fluid extract is 2-3 ml. The reasons for this may be the same as those discussed above for the BHP.
CLINICAL TRIALS
The clinical trial is arguably the best way to determine the effective dose of either a single herb or a herbal formulation. |
| Bronchodilating herbs such as Coleus and Lobelia may be helpful. ephedra should probably be avoided. Those with expectorant activity such as Grindelia can be chosen.
• Since chronic inflammation is present, antiinflammatory herbs such as Glycyrrhiza, Bupleurum and Rehmannia may be of value, as well as omega-3 fatty acids (as found in linseed oil).
• Support for the heart and general circulation with Crataegus and Ginkgo (see p.202) may be required.
Case history
A male patient, 66 years, has received herbal treatment for chronic bronchitis for 7 years. |
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