All about Ephedra (Ma Huang)

Ephedra is an herb that has been used for thousands of years in China for a variety of medicinal purposes. Hence, it is also often referred to as Ma Huang, its Chinese name. Originally used to treat asthma and other bronchial conditions, it is now most widely used as the central ingredient in most of the best selling weight loss supplements.

Ephedra is a powerful stimulant that can boost one’s metabolic rate, increasing the rate at which calories are burned by the body, along with acting as an appetite suppressant. In addition, ephedra can alleviate allergies, congestion, and other such conditions by expanding air passages in the lungs.

Other uses and benefits include treating colds, flus, aching joints, and chills.

Unfortunately, besides the benefits that ephedra affords, this herb also harbors other potent and potentially dangerous side effects that have drawn a great deal of scrutiny, criticism, and even calls for outright banning. For example, it can increase the heart rate, elevate blood pressure, and, if abused, can even lead to strokes, heart attacks, and death.

Ephedra, and all its variants, such as Ma Haung, have now been banned by the U.S. Olympics, and many sports, including football, college athletics, and minor-league baseball. However, it is still a legal substance (as of this writing, but this could change at anytime), and the FDA has recently called for warning labels be placed on ephedra based products, but have stopped short of banning the substance or supplements containing it.

First, we believe it is important to understand that ALL drugs have side effects. Indeed, many tens of thousands of people each year are hospitalized, have severe reactions, and can even die each year from FDA approved prescriptions. Even over the counter medications cause yearly illnesses that amount to thousands.

This does not mean we condone taking ephedra. The editors here at Nutritional-Supplement-Info do not take it personally, and would generally not recommend it, particularly as there are effective alternative weight loss ingredients, herbs, and products without the same level of risk.

Many healthy people, however, can and do experiment with this herb to great success. And it bears repeating that this herb has been used safely in China for thousands of years. However, we must stress that if you suffer from high blood pressure, any thyroid diseases, cardiac arrythmias, palpitations, anxiety, nervousness, and seizure conditions, you do NOT take it.

The problem, as we see it, is that, like all herbs with powerful drug-like effects, it is easily abused.

For those healthy individuals who are still determined to try it, and have first consulted with their doctor, we advise sticking to a lower dose at first (about 100 mg of ephedra per day, making sure that it is standardized to 5.5% to 6.5% ephedrine. It is very important to check the product’s label for this, otherwise you don’t know how much of the active ingredient you are taking).

Then, monitor how you feel. Check your heart rate and blood pressure. Taking this herb will often make one feel jittery, and insomnia can develop as well. If so, consider reducing the dosage. Experts advise that, regardless of whether you tolerate ephedra well, you should not take more than 390 mg per day.

In any case, the ability to try it may soon be gone, as many makers of products that contain ephedra are phasing them out and replacing them with safer alternatives.

Update: December 2003

The U.S. has now decided to ban ephedra entirely, which will be effective in April 2004.

The Editors here at Nutritional-Supplement-Info personally will not recommend any product with ephedra, nor any supplements that purport to be weight loss pills.

It is our opinion that combining proper diet and exercise is the best way to lose weight. Weight loss pills are often ineffective -- and worse, some may even damage your health.

This is why we have decided to not endorse any particular weight loss pills, even though a few do work. Yes, we are approached all the time by companies asking to endorse their products, but we always refuse these offers based solely on ethical reasons.

However, there is a company that we greatly admire for their principled stance and their excellent health information.

The company is Xtend-Life Natural Products, and recently, the Chairman (who is a passionate advocate of living a healthy lifestyle) wrote a 50+ page booklet that details exactly what is the best way to lose weight without ephedra. We highly recommend you download a copy. The best part is: the report is absolutely FREE.

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