Ephedra

Ephedra -

• Introduction
• Ephedra Properties
• Ephedra - Chemical Compounds/Constituents
• Ephedra - As a Treatment For
• Ephedra - Side Effects & Cautions
• Ephedra Preparations

Introduction

In China, Zen monks drank tea from an evergreen shrub to calm themselves and increase concentration while meditating. Legend also told of a tea that contains the leaves of that same plant given to the bodyguards of Genghis Khan to keep them from falling asleep while on sentry duty. Mormons who couldn’t drink coffee or black tea, drank this tea instead as stimulant and because of this, it is sometimes called Mormon tea. In the 1800s, tea brewed from a Chinese shrub was served in brothels with the claim that it could cure gonorrhea and syphilis. The tea used in this context come from none other than the plant called Ephedra (Ma Huang).

Several species of Ephedra (Ma Huang) are native to North China and Inner Mongolia so the legend about Genghis Khan’s guards might not be that far-fetched. ‘Huang’ is taken from the name of the Chinese father of medicine, Huang Di. But Ephedra (Ma Huang) are not used as cure to STDs today; it will not cure STDs.

Ephedra (Ma Huang): The Plant

Ephedra (Ma Huang) comes from the family Ephedraceae. Its species include Ephedra major, Ephedra trifurca, Ephedra nevadensis, and Ephedra sinica, the Chinese plant to which Ephedra (Ma Huang) refers.

The leaves of Ephedra (Ma Huang) are yellow-green or light green. Its stem separates at the top to form branches, growing to an average of 20 inches (50 cm). The stems of Ephedra (Ma Huang) are long, narrow, and sprawling with tiny leaves and small greenish yellow flowers. Tiny nodes called joints can be found on the stalks.

Many species of Ephedra are found in deserts or arid regions throughout the world. They can be colored green, gray, or red, depending on the species. Ephedra (Ma Huang) is the only species of the plant that is native to Asia and it is the species with the most number of health benefits.

Ephedra (Ma Huang): Medicinal Values

The use of Ephedra (Ma Huang) as a medicinal plant dates back to approximately 2800 B.C. in China. It is only in 1923, that the West began to take interest in Ephedra (Ma Huang) when their medical practitioners discovered its many uses. Subsequently, the substance ephedrine has become widely used as a nasal decongestant, a central nervous system stimulant, and a treatment for asthma in America.

A substantial amount of prescription drugs and over-the-counter decongestants used the isolated alkaloid elements, including ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, obtained from Ephedra (Ma Huang). Ephedrine is a successful bronchodilator if taken orally. It can be used in the treatment of mild to moderate asthma and hay fever.

Ephedra (Ma Huang) can also suppress the appetite. In fact, this is one of its most popular uses. Some diet drugs contain ephedrine to act as appetite-suppressants while increasing the body’s metabolic rate and aiding in fat breakdown. Ephedra (Ma Huang) has thermogenic properties which help in the breakdown of fats into energy. If taken with caffeine, substance found in Coffea arabica, Camellia sinensis, and Cola nitida, its thermogenic capabilities can be intensified. Ephedra (Ma Huang) has also been used by people who are trying to quit smoking because it contains substances that can reduce cigarette-craving. It can also promote uterine contraction and menstruation.

Ephedra Properties

Ephedra - Chemical Compounds/Constituents

Ephedra - As a Treatment For

Ephedra - Side Effects & Cautions

Precautions should be taken by anyone taking ephedra.  It had been banned in the US due to deaths caused by people taking more than the recommended dosage.  It can cause heart problems and breathing problems to name just a couple as well as death.

Ephedra Preparations