Ephedra

Most herbal reference books list ephedra as a primary treatment for asthma. This medicinal plant has been used for thousands of years to dilate constricted airways. A chemical derivative, ephedrine, is still found in over-the-counter and prescription asthma medicine.

Despite such a track record, we do not believe that ephedra or ephedrine is appropriate for modern asthma therapy. For one thing, the benefits of the compound wear off quickly, especially if it is used frequently. For another, there are too many potential side effects.

It can cause nervousness, insomnia, heart palpitations, stomach pain, and difficulty urinating. Anyone with prostate problems, heart trouble, or high blood pressure should steer clear of this herb. In our opinion, this is a situation where the herbal approach is less effective and more toxic than prescribed asthma medicine.

The FDA says that since 1994 it “has received more than 800 reports of adverse events associated with ephedrine alkaloid-containing products, ranging from high blood pressure and headaches to heart attacks and death.”57

There has been great concern over the marketing of ma huang in over-the-counter diet pills, especially those that are promoted as “herbal fen-phen.” Legal ephedra extract is found in ECA STACK with Ephedra by American Weight Loss Group, phentramin d, fastin or lipodrene with ephedra and Stimerex ES. Read the rest of this entry »