What is Ephedra

Known as Ma Huang, ephedra is a member of the family of herbs known as the Ephedracae. It has been used in China for more than 5000 years to treat symptoms of asthma and upper respiratory infections. Varieties of the herb are also grown in Europe, India, North-America, Australia and Afghanistan. American ephedra, native to the dry southwest, was used as tea by the early settlers, and was known as "Mormon tea" and "Squaw tea". It has also been used in the treatment of headaches, fevers, colds and hay fever. Today, compounds derived from this herb are commonly found in many (over-the-counter) cold and allergy medications.

Indications And Clinical Uses:

Symptomatic relief of nasal congestion associated with a variety of upper respiratory tract illnesses.

Effects

Various herbal preparations are made of ephedra. They are all containing ephedrine and are used as dietary supplements for weight loss, as well as stimulants. This is because ephedra has a similar effect to the body's own adrenaline or the chemical amphetamine. Many preparations are currently marketed as legal alternatives to 'ecstasy'. What ephedrine does is stimulating the central nervous system, providing energy and also increasing alertness. A higher dose of ephedra can give a nice tingling sensation on the head but also on the rest of your body. Ephedra acts a bit like XTC, it is only milder in its action and less speedy. Ephedra has a slightly different effect on every persons body, but it often provides the same emphatic feeling as XTC.

Contraindications

Ephedrine can cause shivers, insomnia, nervousness, palpitation of the heart and high blood pressu

CHEMISTRY

The ephedra alkaloids are similar in structure to epinephrine. Ephedrine and its diastereoisomer, pseudoephedrine, are believed to be responsible for most of the properties of ephedra. Ephedrine can be used for the illegal synthesis of methamphetamine and the sale of ephedra alkaloids have been regulated in several states. Ephedra species that contain alkaloids typically yield from 0.5% to 2.5% alkaloids, of which 30% to 90% is ephedrine. Pharmaceutical trade standards specify that dried ephedra should contain at least 1.25% ephedrine. Ephedra alkaloids have been shown to be highly stable. However, storage of ephedra in a humid environment has been shown to decrease the alkaloid content.

Usage

Amounts of ephedrine in todays pills and capsules may vary; 850 mg ephedrine per capsule is legally admitted. The usage in the scheme below is based on capsules with this amount of ephedrine. Ephedra as smartdrug or energizer: the recommended dosage is 1 capsule per 24 hours. Ephedra as weight-loss supplement: take 1 capsule daily before lunch or dinner. To make sure your body doesn't get used to the substances which leads to diminished effects, you'd better follow the on-off scheme: take ephedra for 5/6 weeks, then take a break for 2/3 weeks, etc. Ephedra can also be used against colds, asthma and allergies. With all of these uses, please keep in mind that there are some side-effects. Amounts of ephedrine in todays pills and capsules may vary; 850 mg ephedrine per capsule is legally admitted. The usage in the scheme below is based on capsules with this amount of ephedrine. Ephedra as smartdrug or energizer: the recommended dosage is 1 capsule per 24 hours. Ephedra as weight-loss supplement: take 1 capsule daily before lunch or dinner. To make sure your body doesn't get used to the substances which leads to diminished effects, you'd better follow the on-off scheme: take ephedra for 5/6 weeks, then take a break for 2/3 weeks, etc. Ephedra can also be used against colds, asthma and allergies. With all of these uses, please keep in mind that there are some side-effects.

Combinations

To enhance stimulating effects, ephedra is often combined with guarana, cafeine (and so coffee and tea), cola nut, green tea, white willow bark and yerba mate. These combinations also work for weight-loss purposes. Studies have proven that a combination of ephedra with aspirin causes more short term weight-loss than ephedra only.