Ephedra Health Dictionary

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Ephedra: From 1 Different Sources

Ephedra sinica stapf., Ephedra equisentina Bunge and Ephedra gerardiana Wall (including Ephedra nebrodensis Tineo). Twigs. German: Meertra?ubchen. French: Ephe?dre. Italian: Uva di mare. Iranian: Huma. Japanese: Ma oh. Indian: Butshur. Chinese: Ma Huang.

Constituents: Alkaloids – ephedrine, pseudoephedrine.

Action: brain, heart and circulatory stimulant, antasthmatic, bronchodilator, anti-allergic, vasodilator, hypertensive, diaphoretic. Dilates vessels of the heart causing a rise in blood pressure. Cough sedative. Febrifuge, antispasmodic. The essential oil has antibacterial and antiviral properties.

Uses: Practitioner’s first choice for asthma. Bronchitis, breathlessness, whooping cough. Used for such chest conditions for over a millennia in Chinese medicine.

Allergies: hay fever, irritative skin rashes. Low blood pressure. Hypothermia. Bed-wetting. Myasthenia gravis BHP (1983). Chinese Barefoot doctors inject the tea into nostrils for hay fever.

Usually given with expectorants: Liquorice, Lobelia, Senega, Sundew. “Combines well with Lobelia and Skunk Cabbage for bronchitis; and with Horsetail for frequency of urine.” (Fletcher Hyde) Contra-indications: hypertension, coronary thrombosis, thyrotoxicosis, glaucoma. Not given with anti- depressants (MAO inhibitors).

Preparations: Thrice daily. Average dose: 15-60mg.

Tea. Quarter to half a teaspoon herb to cup water simmered gently 5 minutes. Half a cup. Liquid extract. BHP (1983) 1:1 in 45 per cent alcohol. Dose: 15-45 drops (1-3ml). Tincture BHP (1983) 1 part to 4 parts 45 per cent alcohol. Dose: 6-8ml.

Ephedrine. Maximum dose: 30mg. Maximum daily dose 60mg.

Store in airtight container out of the light. Pharmacy only medicine. Practitioners only. 

Health Source: Bartrams Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine
Author: Health Encyclopedia

Ephedra Gerardiana

Wall. ex Stapf.

Family: Ephedraceae.

Habitat: The drier regions of the temperate and alpine Himalayas from Kashmir to Sikkim from 2,350 to 5,350 m.

English: Ephedra (Ephedra sinica Stapf.)

Ayurvedic: Soma, Soma-valli (substitute).

Folk: Asmaaniyaa, Budaagur (Punjab); Tipat, Traani (Himalayan region).

Action: Circulatory stimulant, bron- chodilator, vasodilator, antiallergic, antiasthmatic (usualy given with expectorants), diaphoretic. Not prescribed with antidepressants.

Key application: Ephedra sinica— in diseases of the respiratory tract and mild bronchospasms. Also in acute coryza, allergic rhinitis and sinusitis. (German Commission E.) In the treatment of nasal congestion due to hay fever, allergic rhinitis, acute coryza, cold, sinusitis and as abronchodilator. (WHO.)

Contraindicated in anxiety, restlessness, high blood pressure, glucoma, impaired circulation of the cerebrum, adenoma of prostate with residual urine accumulation, pheochromocy- toma, thyrotoxicosis. (German Commission E.)

Ephedra is official in the national pharmacopoeias of China, Japan and Germany. The herb is listed in Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia. Only its isolated derivatives, ephedrine and ephedrine hydrochloride are official in Indian Pharmacopoeia.

Ephedrine is toxic at more than 300 mg in 1 day (Francis Brinker.)

Aerial parts yielded ephedrine and ephedroxane. Pseudoephedrine is the most active anti-inflammatory principle of Ephedra sp., it exhibited inhibitory action on a number of acute inflammations. Ephedroxane possesses a minor anti-inflammatory principle. Among the Indian species, Ephedra major, found in Lahul, contains over 2.56% alkaloids of which nearly three fourths is ephidrine. Ephedra gerardiana contains 1.22% total alkaloids and 0.68% ephedrine.

On 30 December 2003, the FDA banned ephedra products in the US.... ephedra gerardiana

Ephedra Tea - The Energy Tea

With a reputation of an energy tea, Ephedra tea was taken by athletes and it is the subject of many controversies. Learn more about other benefits of this kind of tea. About Ephedra tea Ephedra, also known as Ma huang in Chinese, has been used in Chinese traditional medicine for centuries to treat cold related conditions. Botanically called Ephedra sinica, this is an evergreen shrub native to Asia. The plant’s leaves and stems are harvested, dried and then sold as teas, tinctures, extracts or tablets. The stems of ephedra have pungent and bitter taste and also diaphoretic, diuretic, pectoral, vasoconstrictive and vasodilative properties. The main chemical constituents in ephedra are ephedrine and pseudoephedrine which work by stimulating the nervous system, dilating bronchial tubes, elevating blood pressure, and increasing heart rate. Due to these effects, ephedra became a favorite for athletes as it is believed that the herb enhances athletic performance. Several incidences of adverse effects and even death that may have been caused by excessive consumption of ephedra and ephedra supplements led the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to ban the sale of ephedra supplements in the United States in 2004. Currently, ephedra is still a subject of debate, especially when it comes to athletes in international competitions and anti-doping testes. However, don’t avoid Ephedra tea as it has important benefits as well. Ephedra tea preparation Ephedra tea can be made by placing about 10 grams of ephedra herb in 2 cups of water and let it boil for 10 minutes. Filter out the herbs before drinking the Ephedra tea. Ephedra tea benefits Here are several health benefits attributed to Ephedra tea. Ephedra Tea may alleviate respiratory ailments such asthma, colds, coughs and hay fever, as well as various allergic symptoms. Ephedra Tea may help expel exterior pathogens and regulate the proper functioning of the lungs. Ephedra Tea, taken in a regulated and supervised manner, may be effective for short-term weight loss, often associated with caffeine. Taken in a regulated and supervised manner, it stimulates the central nervous system may help boost energy and enhance alertness. Ephedra tea side effects Excessive use of Ephedra tea can cause dizziness, irregular heartbeat, seizures, strokes and even death. This tea is not recommended during pregnancy, breastfeeding and to persons with high blood pressure or heart disease. Ephedra tea should not be used as an energy booster, sports or diet aid or in combination with any stimulant such as caffeine as it may lead to unwanted side effects. In spite of these side effects, you can occasionally drink a cup of Ephedra tea, but first ask your current practitioner and pay attention to overdose.... ephedra tea - the energy tea

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