| Always consult a health professional about ephedra, and use this powerful natural product only under his or her guidance.
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DIAGNOSIS
Bronchitis is an obstructive pulmonary disease. It is caused when a chest infection, triggered by a virus or bacteria, leads to the inflammation and swelling of the airways that connect to the lungs. It is a common disease among smokers and residents of polluted cities, and can be aggravated by cold, damp weather conditions, especially fog. |
Joerg Gruenwald, Ph.D.
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 Ma-Huang
See ephedra Sinica
Maidenhair
See Adiantum Capillus-Veneris
Maize
See Zea Mays
Malabar Nut
See Justicia Adhatoda
Male Fern
See Dryopteris Filix-Mas
Mallotus Philippinensis
Kamala
DESCRIPTION
Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the glands and hairs covering the fruit.
Flower and Fruit: The tree has dioecious flowers. The male flowers are in threes in the axils of the bracts, while the female flowers are on longer, heavily branched lateral boughs. Both flowers are covered by rust-red matted hairs. |
David Winston, RH(AHG), and Steven Maimes
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 Examples of medicine herbs include boneset, ephedra, goldenseal, and senna.
3. Poison Herbs: These herbs have strong potential for either acute or chronic toxicity and should be used only by trained clinicians who clearly understand their toxicology and appropriate use. Even though the herb industry is often portrayed as unregulated and irresponsible, the vast majorities of the herbs in this category are not available to the public and are not sold in health food or herb stores. Examples of poison herbs include aconite, arnica, datura, and gelsemium. |
| A well-publicized example is the herb ephedra (ma huang), which has been inappropriately used for weight loss or as a stimulant. Serious adverse reactions, including death, have occurred, and in most cases, the people involved were foolishly taking two to four times the recommended dosage.
Many herbs are useful and safe in small, appropriate doses, but as with any medication, overdoses can cause unwanted side effects, injuries, and if the statistics are correct, rare fatalities.
General dosage information is provided in each monograph. |
| Licorice is used in traditional Chinese medicine to harmonize formulas, improve flavor, and reduce toxicity and gastrointestinal irritation caused by harsh herbs such as ephedra, skunk cabbage, or lobelia. However, by itself and in excess quantities, licorice can cause people to retain sodium and excrete potassium. This can cause elevated blood pressure and other health problems. The key to using licorice safely is to use small amounts combined with other herbs. This is how it is usually used in Chinese medicine and has been used safely for millennia.
Another example is red Asian ginseng. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
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| FDA weighed their decision on the safety relative to the benefit of ephedra (FDA, 2004).
A number of severe side effects have been reported, though these are mostly in connection with nutritional supplements and not with medications. Common side effects include headache, dizziness, irritability, motor restlessness, sleeplessness, urinary disorders, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmia, myocardial infarction, hemorrhagic or ischemic stroke, seizures, and possibly death (Anon, 1996). Chronic use may cause an anxiety state. |
Joe Graedon, M.S. and Teresa Graedon, Ph.D.
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 The agency determined that ephedra was associated with a number of strokes, heart attacks, and other serious complications and called for its removal from the market. Aside from being overweight, some of the people who suffered life-threatening or even fatal side effects were otherwise in good health. This stimulant might have helped people shed pounds in the short term, but it was not safe enough to be used for the long haul.
Ephedra has stimulant properties, which probably account both for its ability to promote some weight loss and for its potential to trigger a dangerous reaction. |
Bottom Line Health
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| Some of these products, such as those containing ephedra or phenylpropanolamine, have been banned because of the potential dangers.
Laughter Burns Calories
Laughing out loud for 10 to 15 minutes uses up to 50 calories. People who laugh this much every day could lose more than four pounds in one year.
Maciej S. Buchowski, PhD, professor of family and community medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville. |
Earl L. Mindell, RPh, PhD with Virginia Hopkins, MA
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| Don't overdo it with the ephedra, however—especially if you have high blood pressure or problems with anxiety. The FDA has been investigating ephedra's potential dangers over the past few years, and they haven't come up with good enough evidence of its harmfulness to ban it, but it is a potent substance and should be used with care. (Again, let's remember that dozens of over-the-counter and prescription drugs contain synthetic versions of ephedra [e.g. pseudofed] and related substances, and the FDA hasn't created nearly as much flap about those! |
Craig Pepin-Donat
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 Examples of thermogenic aids are the caffeine in coffee and teas, and natural compounds such as guarana and ephedra. Increasing your metabolism is naturally achieved with increased levels of physical activity. It is much better and safer to take a pass on the nachos and exercise than to use thermogenic aids.
Neal Spruce comments that, "In the supplement industry we call thermogenic compounds 'results crutches' for people who are unable to eat properly and exercise regularly. Usage of these compounds make you feel 'wired' as you might with a low dosage of amphetamines. |
Thomson Healthcare, Inc.
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| The effect of a dietary supplement containing herbal caffeine and ephedra (C&E) on metabolic rate, weight loss, body composition and safety parameters was investigated. In phase
I, 12 healthy subjects with a BMI of 25 to 35 kg/m2 had resting metabolic rate (RMR) measured for 2 hours after ingesting C&E or a placebo on two occasions 1 week apart, followed by a 1-week washout phase before phase II. In phase
II, these 12 subjects, plus 28 additional subjects, were randomized to a 12-week, double-blind trial comparing C&E (three times/day) to placebo. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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 American West and have a much milder effect than the ephedra species described here, containing little to no ephedrine alkaloids.
EPIMEDIUM
Botanical Name
Epimedium spp., including E. aceranthus, E. acuminatum, E. brevicornum, E. grandiflorum, E. koreanum, E. macranthum, E. pubescens, E. sagittatum
Family
Berberidaceae (Barberry Family) Etymology
The genus name, Epimedium, derives from the Greek epi, "upon," and media, in reference to the ancient country of Media, southwest of the Caspian Sea. |
| Range and Appearance
There are about forty species of ephedra, native to Asia, the Mediterranean, and North and Central America. This small shrub grows to a height of about 3 feet and has broomlike stems. The opposite branches are short, erect, and notched by reddish brown nodelike joints. The leaves are actually tiny scales on the branches. The shrub's small yellow flowers are followed by red berries.
E. nevadensis (also known as Mormon tea or Brigham tea) and E. |
| Etymology
The genus name, ephedra, derives from the Greek ephedros, "sitting upon." The common name ma huang is an Anglicized spelling of the Chinese name. Ma translates as "astringent" or possibly "hemp" (in reference to the starlike stems of the plant), while huang translates as "yellow," in reference to the plant's color. |
Kevin Trudeau
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 The FDA deemed that this proved that ephedra was so dangerous that it had to be banned totally. Keep in mind that over ten million people had used ephedra during this time. I have stated that this is an outrage. The FDA has not banned aspirin even though 2,000 people die every year by taking a single dose of aspirin. The FDA has not banned Vioxx even though it is confi rmed that well over 100,000 people have died by taking Vioxx. |
Brigitte Mars, A.H.G.
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| Also Known As
Cantonese: ma wong
English: Chinese joint fir, ma huang
Finnish: efedra
French: ephedre du valais
German: meertaubl
Japanese: mao
Korean: mahwang
Mandarin: ma huang
Sanskrit: somalata
Spanish: canutillo, popotillo
Swedish: efedra
Parts Used
Stem, branch
Physiological Effects
Antiallergenic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antitussive, aphrodisiac, astringent, bronchial dilator, circulatory stimulant, decongestant, diaphoretic, diuretic, expectorant, metabolic stimulant
Medicinal Uses
Humans have been using ephedra since the inception of our species. |
Craig Pepin-Donat
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| Even though the number of deaths related to ephedra was small compared to those of prescription drugs, the path to quick results is often filled with landmines. Fostered by unquenchable consumer demand, manufacturers are always on the look out for the next performance enhancing brew that can put your health at risk.
Basic Research Zoller Laboratories, the maker of Zantrex-3, cautions people sensitive to stimulants to consult a physician before beginning a diet program using the product, and with good reason. ConsumerLab. |
Heather Boon, BScPhm, PhD and Michael Smith, BPharm, MRPharmS, ND
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 Ephedra species native to North America, such as ephedra nevadensis S. Wats, do not contain any alkaloids.3
Current Medicinal Use
While ephedrine has been shown to be effective in promoting weight loss, the potential for serious adverse effects makes it very questionable whether this is a legitimate use for ma huang. Within Traditional Chinese Medicine, under the supervision of an appropriately trained healthcare provider, ma huang is used for respiratory conditions, including asthma, allergies and bronchitis. |
| Ephedrine was first synthesized in the 1920s and has been used widely in cold and allergy remedies. ephedra species native to North America, such as ephedra nevadensis S. Wats, do not contain any alkaloids.3
Current Medicinal Use
While ephedrine has been shown to be effective in promoting weight loss, the potential for serious adverse effects makes it very questionable whether this is a legitimate use for ma huang. |
| A variable effect on blood pressure may be observed depending on the relative concentrations of hypotensive ephedradines (ganglionic blocking agents) versus hypertensive maokonine, due to phyto-chemical differences between the various ephedra species.10
EFFECT ON OBESITY
A number of clinical studies have shown that supplementation with ephedrine, normally combined with other agents, can result in significant weight loss in both animals18-20 and humans.21-30 This action appears to be more pronounced when combined with other methylxanthines, notably caffeine and theophylline. |
Bryan Hanson, PhD
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 Plant drugs such as ephedra, physostigmine, tubocurarine, cocaine, and reserpine, discussed elsewhere, are good examples.
Before we move on, we should unmask this mysterious neurotransmitter that we keep mentioning. Actually, many neurotransmitters are known, and this is one reason for the complexity of the nervous system. In fact, a single organ is usually controlled by multiple neurons using different neurotransmitters (and don't even ask about the brain!). |
Ruth Winter, M.S.
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 EPHEDRINE • The alkaloid ephedrine is derived from the plant ephedra equisetina and others of the 40 species of ephedra or produced synthetically. ephedra has been used for more than 5,000 years in Chinese medicine and has become more and more popular in Western medicine. It acts like epinephrine (see) and is used as a bronchodilator, nasal decongestant, to raise blood pressure, and topically to constrict blood vessels.
EPICHLOROHYDRIN • A colorless liquid with an odor resembling chloroform. It is soluble in water but mixes readily with alcohol and ether. |
Dr. Timothy Scott
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 The FDA does a tremendous job on many levels, but Baycol, Rezulin, ephedra, Lotronex, Propulsid and a host of other approved but later recalled drugs make it clear that adverse events may not show up for months or even many years after FDA approval is received. In view of such experiences, it is hard to believe that the FDA approved all the SSRI antidepressants with no more than 8 weeks of clinical trial data. |
Bryan Hanson, PhD
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| The other example in the figure is the molecule albuterol, a synthetic molecule whose structure is similar to ephedrine, a major component of the Chinese herbal medicine ma huang (from the plant ephedra sinica; compare the structure of ephedrine in Figure 6.7 with albuterol). Albuterol is a clinically important bronchodilator used to treat asthma patients when they have acute attacks. |
Mike Adams
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 There was no amount of ephedra safe for anyone, claimed the FDA, regardless of health, and regardless of whether
Grand Jury Is Investigating Ex-Chief of FDA
Washington Post, April 29, 2006
The former commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration is under federal investigation amid accusations of financial improprieties and making false statements to Congress, a newspaper reported Saturday. The New York Times, citing Lester M. Crawford's attorney, Barbara Van Gelder, said a grand jury has begun a criminal investigation of Crawford ... |
| In Chinese medicine, ephedra is also used—always in conjunction with other supporting herbs—as a tool to regulate water circulation, relieve edema, stop coughing, disperse coldness and dampness from areas of the body, as well as other holistic purposes (Chinese medicine never uses one chemical to treat one condition; herbs are always used synergistically to support the body's own healing systems and processes). |
| Repeatedly banned and confiscated herbs and nutritional supplements that compete with prescription drugs. ephedra, for example, was banned by the FDA based on a political agenda, not good science.
Not since World War II have so many Americans died from a single, common preventable cause. It appears the FDA has declared war on the American people.
'** Conducted armed raids on alternative medicine clinics, confiscating computers, threatening alternative health practitioners, and scaring away patients. |
| Speaking of psychoactive drugs, Ritalin, a common drug prescribed to millions of children for so-called Attention Deficit Disorder, is also an amphetamine stimulant, yet delivered in higher concentrations and doses than ephedra. Ritalin is so concentrated and powerful that children are snorting it to get high, and it now has a street value like other illegal drugs. Yet when it comes to Ritalin, the FDA appears to have no concern whatsoever for the health and safety of children. |
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