Single Herb Monographs: Ephedra
EPHEDRA (Ephedra sinica, Ephedra equisetina, Ephedra major)
Ephedra, or Ma Huang as it is most commonly known in the Chinese herbal pharmacopeia, consists of the dried, young branchlets harvested in the fall. It belongs to the family Ephedraceae, genus Ephedra. Species commonly used to produce herbal ephedra preparations include E. major, E. equisetina and E. sinica.
Ephreda is used to treat asthma, bronchitis and coughs. Its main active medicinal ingredients are the alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are central nervous system (CNS) stimulants. They are non-selective sympathomimetic agents with both alpha and beta activities. These alkaloids can be used as decongestants because they constrict peripheral blood vessels, but in high doses, they also raise blood pressure. [1], [2], [3] The CNS stimulating property contributes to ephedra's appetite suppressant effects and its reputation as a weight loss agent. [4] Ephedra's anti-asthmatic effect arises from its ability to relax bronchial smooth muscle. Studies indicate that ephedra also has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and uterine stimulatory activities. [5]
Misuse and overdose of ephedra have resulted in heart attack, stroke, seizure, psychosis and death. [8] Drug/herb interactions are major concerns. [1], [6], [7] The FDA has banned the sales of dietary supplements that contain ephedra after determining that they present a significant and unreasonable risk to human health. [8]
In Chinese Herbal Medicine, Ma Huang is considered acrid, slightly bitter and warm, and specifically affects the Lung and Bladder meridians. [2] Chinese Herbal Medicine rarely uses a single herb for treatment. Prescriptions, consisting of several herbs, are formulated based on the patient’s condition. Ma Huang is often combined with cinnamon twig and licorice root to treat the common cold with symptoms of chills, fever, headache, and an absence of sweating. It also treats wheezing and edema, the latter by promoting urination.
NCCAM