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Ephedra
Ephedra, commonly referred
to by its Chinese name, ma huang, has received so much publicity recently that
it's hard to read a newspaper or magazine without coming across the name. The
herb consists of the green stems of several species of ephedra native to
Central Asia.
Ma huang has been used in
China for the treatment of bronchial asthma and related conditions for more
than 5,000 years. The therapeutic value of ephedra is due to several closely
related alkaloids, of which ephedrine is both the most active and the one
present in the largest amount. North American species of ephedra, one of which
is referred to as Mormon tea, contain no active alkaloids. Ephedrine was
researched here in the United States during the 1920s and was a standard
over-the-counter medication for many years.
Dual effects
Like all other
medications, ephedra has both an upside and a downside. The alkaloid's
vasoconstricting effect makes it a useful nasal decongestant, but it also
raises blood pressure and increases heart rate. It is an effective
bronchodilator, but it also stimulates the central nervous system (CNS), with
side effects ranging from nervousness to insomnia. This stimulation is greatly
increased by consumption of caffeine or caffeine beverages such as
coffee,
tea, or cola.
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