Ephedra
From Wikiwel
Other Names : Alcaloïde d’Éphédrine, Belcho, Cao Mahuang, Desert Herb, Efedra, Éphédra, Éphédra Américain, Éphédra Chinoise, Ephedra distachya, Ephedra equisetina, Éphédra Européen, Ephedra gerardiana, Ephedra intermedia, Ephedra shennungiana, Ephedra sinensis, Ephedra sinica, Ephedra Sinisa, Ephedra vulgaris, Ephedrae Herba, Éphèdre, Ephedrine, Éphédrine, Ephedrine Alkaloid, Épitonin, Herbal Ecstasy, Joint Fir, Ma Huang, Ma-Huang, 麻黃, má huáng, Mahuang, Mahuanggen (ma huang root), Muzei Mahuang, Popotillo, Raisin de Mer, Sea Grape, Teamster's Tea, Thé de Désert, Yellow Astringent, Yellow Horse, Zhong Mahuang, Mormon Tea, Indian Tea.
Ephedra is an herb. Usually, the branches and tops are used to make medicine, but the root or whole plant can also be used. Ephedra is banned in the U.S. due to safety concerns.
Contents
Special Precautions and side effects of Ephedra
- In recent years, the safety of ephedra-containing dietary supplements has been questioned by the medical community as a result of reports of serious side effects and ephedra-related deaths. In response to accumulating evidence of adverse effects and deaths related to ephedra, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned the sale of ephedra-containing supplements on April 12, 2004
- Don’t take products that contain ephedra or its active ingredients. It is LIKELY UNSAFE for adults and children. Ephedra can cause severe life-threatening or disabling conditions in some people. Ephedra use is linked to high blood pressure, heart attacks, muscle disorders, seizures, strokes, irregular heartbeat, loss of consciousness, and death. These side effects might be more likely if ephedra is used in high doses or long-term. Doses greater than 32 mg per day might more than triple the risk for bleeding within the brain (hemorrhagic stroke). The risk for serious side effects seems to be greater than any potential benefit. Ephedra is banned in the U.S.
- nausea
- headache; dizziness
- irritation of the stomach; diarrhea
- anxiety; psychosis
- Liver toxic in overdose
- kidney stones
- tremors
- dry mouth
- irregular or rapid heart rhythms; heart damage
- high blood pressure
- restlessness; nervousness; sleeping problems
- decreased appetite
- flushing; sweating
- increased urination
- Use of ephedra has also been associated with stroke, seizures, psychosis and death. A study commissioned by the National Institutes of Health reviewed 16,000 adverse event reports and identified two deaths, nine strokes, four heart attacks, one seizure and five psychiatric cases involving the use of ephedra where there were no other possible factors that could have contributed to these results.
- The NIH-commissioned study also concluded that ephedra was associated with higher risks of mild to moderate side effects such as heart palpitations, psychiatric and digestive effects, and symptoms of hyperactivity of the autonomic nervous system (tremor, insomnia), especially when combined with caffeine or other stimulants such as kola nut, green tea, guarana or yerba mate.
- Many of the side effects of ephedra have been attributed to overdose, abuse and combining it with other stimulants that heighten its effect, such as caffeine. Side effects of ephedra, however, can vary and don't always depend on the dose. Serious adverse effects may also occur in susceptible people at low doses.
- The risk of side effects and adverse effects appears to be greater in people with preexisting conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure; heart rate disorders; thyroid disease; hypoglycemia; glaucoma; anxiety; glaucoma; pheochromocytoma; diabetes; kidney disease or kidney stones; mental illness or a history of mental illness; enlarged prostate; cerebral insufficiency and a history of seizures, stroke, or transient ischemic attacks. People with these health conditions should avoid ephedra. People with allergies to ephedra, ephedrine, or pseudoephedrine should also avoid ephedra.
- Ephedra is believed to increase the risk of heat stroke, because it increases metabolism and impairs the body's ability to lose heat.
- Ephedra shouldn't be taken two weeks before or after surgery. It shouldn't be used by pregnant or nursing women or children. People with anorexia nervosa or bulimia should avoid ephedra because it affects appetite.
Potential Interactions Based on known interactions between the active ingredients of ephedra, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, the following medications could theoretically interact with ephedra:
- Aerolate, T-Phyl, and Uniphyl (theophylline) -- a medication used for asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis
- Amphetamines, such as those used for narcolepsy or attention deficit hyperactivity, such as Adderall (dextroamphetamine)
- Antidepressants, particularly monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as Marplan (isocarboxazid), Nardil (phenelzine) and Parnate (tranylcypromine), due to an increased risk of high blood pressure and stroke; tricyclic antidepressants, such as Elavil (amitriptyline) and Pamelor (nortriptyline)
- Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
- Blood pressure medication
- Diabetes medications, such as insulin, Glucophage (metformin), Diabeta, Glynase, Micronase (glyburide)
- Narcotics, such as codeine
- Pitosin (Oxytocin) or Secale Alkaloid Derivatives
- St. John's Wort
- Stimulants -- Ephedra should not be combined with other substances with a stimulant effect, such as caffeine and Sudafed (pseudoephedrine hydrochloride), as it may have an additive effect. Herbs known to contain caffeine include green tea, kola nut, guarana and yerba mate, while bitter orange is a stimulant.
The benefits of Ephedra are
- Ephedra sinica is an herb with a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine for asthma, bronchitis, allergies and cold and flu symptoms.
- During the 80s, ephedra became popular outside of traditional Chinese medicine for weight loss and to enhance sports performance. Its popularity continued to grow, and it was found in many nutritional supplements marketed for weight loss and performance enhancement until supplements containing ephedra were banned by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2006.
- Weight Loss :Ephedra appears to cause weight loss when combined with caffeine. It's thought to work by increasing energy expenditure, increasing basal metabolic rate and suppressing appetite. Whether ephedra alone works is less clear.Prior to the ban on ephedra supplements, many dietary supplements marketed for weight loss also contained caffeine-containing herbs, such as green tea, yerba mate and guarana. The ephedra/caffeine combination, however, is now widely believed to heighten the potential health risks and is not recommended.
- Sports Performance : Ephedra is similar in structure to amphetamine, so it has been used to increase athletic performance in strength and endurance sports, increase alertness and aggressiveness on the field, and reduce fatigue in sports such as ice hockey, baseball, football and cycling. There isn't good evidence, however, that it can improve sports performance, and is not recommended for this purpose given the potential side effects. Ephedra is banned by many sports associations, including the International Olympic Committee, the National Football League (NFL) and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA).
- Vasoconstrictor : Herbs Causing Constriction Of Capillaries
- The primary active ingredients in ephedra are believed to be the alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are thought to increase heart rate, constrict blood vessels (which increases blood pressure), dilate bronchial tubes (which makes it easier to breathe) and have thermogenic properties (increases body heat and metabolic rate).
- Asthma and Other Respiratory Disorders : Ephedra has a long history of use in traditional Chinese medicine as a folk remedy for asthma, bronchitis, allergies, fever, chills and cold and flu symptoms, such as nasal congestion. The ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in ephedra widen bronchioles, which are the small airways in the lungs. Although ephedrine was used for asthma, medications with fewer potential side effects are now more commonly recommended.
Current Status of Ephedra in the United States and Canada
Dietary supplements containing any amount of ephedra alkaloids have been banned in the United States since 2006.
In Canada, ephedra is authorized by Health Canada for use only as a nasal decongestant. Nutritional supplements with ephedra can't contain stimulants, such as caffeine, that might heighten the effect of the ephedra. Also, they can't exceed 400 mg per dose or 1600 mg per day of ephedra, or 8 mg ephedrine per dose or 32 mg per day of ephedrine. Products with implied or unproven claims for weight loss, appetite suppression, body-building effects or increased energy are not permitted.
