Difference between revisions of "Ephedra"

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Ephedra

Dietary supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to supplement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has special labeling requirements for dietary supplements and treats them as foods, not drugs.

Manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and dietary ingredients are prohibited from marketing products that are adulterated or misbranded. That means that these firms are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all the requirements of DSHEA and FDA regulations.

Ephedra Flowering Plant

Wars of ancient history were about possessions, territory, power, control, family, betrayal, lover's quarrel, politics and sometimes religion.

But we are in the Modern era and supposedly more educated and enlightened .

Think about this. Don't just brush off these questions.

Why is RELIGION still involved in WARS? Isn't religion supposed to be about PEACE?
Ask yourself; What religion always campaign to have its religious laws be accepted as government laws, always involved in wars and consistently causing WARS, yet insists that it's a religion of peace?

WHY??

There are only two kinds of people who teach tolerance:

The Bullies. They want you to tolerate them so they can continue to maliciously deprive you. Do not believe these bullies teaching tolerance, saying that it’s the path to prevent hatred and prejudice.
The victims who are waiting for the right moment to retaliate. They can’t win yet, so they tolerate.

Ephedra

The medicinal herb Ephedra as an alternative herbal remedy for asthma, wheezing, nasal congestion - Ephedra is an evergreen shrub-like plant native to Central Asia and Mongolia. The principal active ingredient, ephedrine, is a compound that can powerfully stimulate the nervous system and heart.Common Names--ephedra, Chinese ephedra, ma huang

Latin Name--Ephedra sinica Picture of Ephedra

What Ephedra Is Used For

Ephedra has been used for more than 5,000 years in China and India to treat conditions such as colds, fever, flu, headaches, asthma, wheezing, and nasal congestion.
It has also been an ingredient in many dietary supplements used for weight loss, increased energy, and enhanced athletic performance.

How Ephedra Is Used

The dried stems and leaves of the plant are used to create capsules, tablets, extracts, tinctures, and teas.

What the Science Says about Ephedra

An NCCAM-funded study that analyzed phone calls to poison control centers found a higher rate of side effects from ephedra, compared with other herbal products.
Other studies and systematic reviews have found an increased risk of heart, psychiatric, and gastrointestinal problems, as well as high blood pressure and stroke, with ephedra use.
According to the FDA, there is little evidence of ephedra's effectiveness, except for short-term weight loss. However, the increased risk of heart problems and stroke outweighs any benefits.
In recent years, the safety of ephedra-containing dietary supplements has been questioned by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, and the medical community as a result of reports of serious side effects and ephedra-related deaths. In response to accumulating evidence of adverse effects and deaths related to ephedra, the FDA banned the sale of ephedra-containing supplements on April 12, 2004. A suit by an ephedra manufacturer was upheld by a Federal District Court judge in Utah on April 14, 2005. The FDA appealed this ruling, and on August 17, 2006 the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit upheld the FDA's ban of ephedra. The sale of ephedra-containing dietary supplements is currently illegal in the United States because of the high risk of ephedra-related adverse events. >>this article copied verbatim from wikipedia>>

Ephedra biochemistry

The alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are the active constituents of the plant. Pseudoephedrine is used in over-the-counter decongestants. Derivatives of ephedrine are used to treat low blood pressure, but alternatives with reduced cardiovascular risk have replaced it for treating asthma. Ephedrine is also considered a performance-enhancing drug and is prohibited in most competitive sports. Some species in the Ephedra genus have no alkaloid content and are therefore essentially inert; however, the most commonly used species, E. sinica, has a total alkaloid content of 1–3% by dry weight. Ephedrine constitutes 40–90% of the alkaloid content, with the remainder consisting of pseudoephedrine and the demethylated forms of each compound. >> This article copied verbatim from wikipedia >>

Side Effects and Cautions about Ephedra

In 2004, the FDA banned the U.S. sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra. The FDA found that these supplements had an unreasonable risk of injury or illness--particularly cardiovascular complications--and a risk of death. The ban does not apply to traditional Chinese herbal remedies or to products like herbal teas regulated as conventional foods.

Between 1995 and 1997, the FDA received more than 900 reports of possible ephedra toxicity. Serious adverse events such as stroke, heart attack, and sudden death were reported in 37 cases.
Taking ephedra can also result in nausea, anxiety, headache, psychosis, kidney stones, tremors, dry mouth, irregular heart rhythms, heart damage, high blood pressure, restlessness, sleep problems, irritation of the stomach, and increased urination.
Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and children should avoid taking ephedra. Using ephedra may worsen many health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, kidney disease, sleep disorders, and diabetes.
Ephedra use may lead to serious health problems when used with other dietary supplements or medicines.
Combining ephedra with caffeine increases the risk of potentially serious side effects.
Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

News About Ephedra

From the Ground Up: Mormon Tea

Source:http://www.lcsun-news.com/story/life/sunlife/2016/05/01/ground-up-mormon-tea/82398030/

By Deborah Brandt

The English name, Mormon Tea, caught on when Mormon settlers were making their way West. They found that they could brew a tasty tea from the stems, and it became a popular thirst quencher when crossing the desert.

Mormon Tea is a common desert plant in our area. It is found throughout the Las Cruces desert and hills, enjoying the company of mesquite and other native plants around us. It is traditional in native medicine of southern New Mexico; in Spanish it is called canutillo or popotillo. This medium sized shrub has no actual leaves. Its jointed green wand-like stems that are approximately the diameter of a standard pencil lead characterizes it. Each jointed stem is about 4 to 6 inches in length. In the spring, each branch node develops rusty colored pollen.

The English name, Mormon Tea, caught on when Mormon settlers were making their way West. They found that they could brew a tasty tea from the stems, and it became a popular thirst quencher when crossing the desert.

Mormon Tea is in the Ephedra species. It is related to Chinese Ephedra, Ma Huang. Ma Huang is on the FDA no-no list because it contains the stimulant ephedrine, which has been abused by some seekers of methamphetamine-type highs. Ma Huang is a good medicine, but like all things if used by the wrong person for the wrong reason it becomes dangerous.

Our native cousin, Mormon tea does not contain ephedrine. You cannot get high or harm yourself with it. Unlike Ma Huang it won’t elevate blood pressure nor will it cause anxiety or heart palpitations. It probably contains trace amounts of pseudoephedrine, as you would find in cold and sinus medication such as Sudafed.

This gives you an indication of its medicinal use. Particularly during allergy season it can decrease your need for allergy medication. It is a sinus passage decongestant and mild bronchial dilatator. So, for a stuffy nose and mild allergic asthma it will help open up your airways. It contains some tannins, too, which are astringent. Astringents tighten and tone boggy tissue. It works best if you start drinking the tea a couple weeks before allergy season sets in. It can also help relieve the symptoms of colds. It probably should not be used in pregnancy because of the tannins.

Traditionally popotillo is used for kidney and bladder problems. It is calming to urinary tract irritation. It is widely used as a "kidney flush." Popotillo is a mild diuretic; it increases the flow of urine, thus “flushing” the kidneys. It is used when the urine appears to be too concentrated. The concept is to flush out bacteria and stagnation that are causing congestion and inflammation/infection. It is not antibacterial. It is helpful for reducing irritation of the mouth, esophagus and stomach as well.

Late spring is the best time to snip the new branch growth, although it is OK to pick it other times of the year, too. Snip the last 8 to 10 inches of green "sticks." This can be easier said than done, as the little branches are fibrous, so be sure your clippers are sharp. Cut into inch-sized lengths and dry in a paper bag, in a dark, dry place for a couple weeks. For tea, place five to six little inch-sized stems in a pan, add about 12 ounces of water and bring to a boil and simmer a few minutes before straining into a cup. Do this two to three times a day as needed.

Ephedra Shrubs have a Long Medicinal History

Source:http://mvprogress.com/2013/04/03/ephedra-shrubs-have-a-long-medicinal-history/

By VROBISON , By BRUCE LUND

This spring is turning out to be a good wildflower season! Walk in the desert in this first week of April and you’ll find bright yellow flowers of the Desert Marigold, Bead-Pod Mustard, Gold-Poppy, and tall Yellow Cups (aka, Sundrops); white Prickly Poppies with their golden centers, tiny Desert Stars just an inch high and Desert Chicories; stands of purple Phacelias flourishing on gravel banks and the first shocking pink flowers of the Beavertail cactus popping up across the desert.

While the big showy flowers get all the photographs, many other intriguing plants get overlooked because they are wind-pollinated with diminutive flowers. Instead of putting their energy into producing a few big showy flowers to attract pollinating insects, these plants focus their energy into producing huge numbers of tiny flowers stripped down to the bare male and female parts needed for pollination. Our half dozen shrubby Ephedras are a prime example of this wind-pollination lifestyle, and it gets better because they carry flower specialization one step further: for even more energy efficiency, each plant produces only male or female flowers.

At the height of pollen production, the huge numbers of male flowers color their Ephedra shrubs a bright yellow, and then fade to a rusty color as the pollen matures and are carried off by the wind. But you really should take a close look and see how the individual male flowers are compacted into clusters that look like miniature pine cones, and how, as each individual flower cone matures, they send out stalked stamens with swollen tips covered with tiny yellow pollen grains that give each cone a fuzzy look.

In contrast, female flowers look more like traditional flowers with petals (although these are actually a cluster of scales that happen to look like petals). In the center of each flower are one to four unfertilized seeds with tiny stigmas sticking up at the top of each seed (this can be hard to see) which are the landing sites upon which the male pollen has to land. Since the chance of a microscopic pollen grain hitting a tiny stigma is infinitesimal, male flowers produce huge amounts of pollen to achieve pollination. It’s sort of like buying a million tickets to win a lottery vastly improves – but does not guarantee – your chances of winning.

Ephedra’s intense wind pollination effort passes quickly with the male flowers drying up and dropping away in a week or two.

It’s different with the female flower where the ‘petals’ dry and drop away as well, but exposing the mature seeds along the stems. Besides being potential future plants, these are also nutritious packages of energy and eagerly sought by kangaroo rats, ground squirrels, birds, and even people. Of course, many seeds get dropped in transport from plants to dens, being a way of spreading new plants across the landscape.

When a plant has a long list of common names, it indicates a long history of human use for food, medicine, and/or structural uses, and Ephedra has a LOT of names including: Mormon Tea (used as an acceptable substitute for tea and coffee by pioneering Mormons), Cowboy Tea, Brigham Tea (Brigham Young supposedly liked this tea), Ma Huang (the Ephedra species with by far the strongest concentration of Ephedrine comes from China and has been used there for thousands of years), Whorehouse Tea (served in certain Nevada establishments because it was believed to be a treatment for venereal diseases), Squaw or Indian Tea (used by Native Americans), Joint-fir (from the structure of the stems that resemble – with a lot of imagination – the leaves of fir trees), and many more.

So why do Ephedras have such a long history of human use? However it happened, records dating back 5,000 years show that early peoples in China discovered that drinking teas made from Ephedra gave an energy boost and had other medicinal effects. Today we know the 40 or so species of Ephedra found in arid areas around the Earth produce a chemical we call ephedrine, and that it is a nerve stimulant (similar to the effect of caffeine in coffee or tea) plus diuretic and decongestant qualities. It makes sense that the Chinese were the first to discover this as they have the one species that has, by far, the highest concentration of ephedrine and other chemicals. So while other species around the world have some level of active ingredients, only the Chinese species packs a wallop while our species basically gives a tea some flavoring and a tiny energy boost at best.

But don’t take it from me – if you’re curious to learn more about the medicinal facts and myths about ephedra, take a look on-line where you will find thousands of sites.

In the meantime, get out quickly if you want to see Ephedra in flower as it will pass in a couple of weeks.

Bruce Lund is a retired biologist and has a lifelong love of nature instilled by his grandparents and some remarkable teachers. He has lived with his wife, Flo, in Moapa since 1997.

Chinese Herb Ma-Huang Can Be Made Into A Tea, Or Used In Extract Form; Powdered Ma-Huang Is Rarely Used

Source:http://www.zelangchina.com/news/?458.html

(Zelang)

Chinese Herb is a broad range of medicine practices sharing common concepts which have been developed in China and are based on a tradition of more than 2,000 years, including various forms of herbal medicine, acupuncture, massage (Tui na), exercise (qigong), and dietary therapy.

Ma-huang (mahuang): The stem-like leaves when taken in a dose of several grams stimulate perspiration, open the breathing passages, and invigorate the central nervous system energy. It has been shown that most of these effects are due to two alkaloid components, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, both of them having been made into modern drugs (for asthma and sinus congestion, respectively). In addition, the stimulating action of ma-huang has led to its use as a metabolic enhancer (burns calories more quickly) for those who are trying to lose weight. Ma-huang also has anti-inflammatory actions useful in treating some cases of arthralgia and myalgia. Ma-huang can be made into a tea, or used in extract form; powdered ma-huang is rarely used. Dosage range is 1-9 grams/day, usually in two or three divided doses. Caution: the stimulant effect of ma-huang can cause insomnia and agitation; persons with very high blood pressure may find this symptom worsened by use of ma-huang.

Chinese Herb is primarily used as a complementary alternative medicine approach. Chinese Herb is widely used in China and it is also used in the West. We might try Chinese Herb to keep fit.

Facts & Findings with Dr. Plant: Ephedra nevadensis

Source:http://www.drinklifein.com/media-center/zija-news/20150325/facts-findings-dr-plant-ephedra-nevadensis

(Zija News, Drink Life In)

Dr. Plant helps us better understand Ephedra nevadensis: What is it, and is it okay to consume?

When we hear Ephedra we think back to about 15 years ago when the media and government spoke about its dangers. I want to explain a little bit about Ephedra nevadensis and how this is completely different than the Ephedra that was banned ~15 years ago.

When news agencies spoke about Ephedra 15 years ago, they were referring to a compound called "Ephedra Alkaloids" (see picture). That compound is found in a botanical called Ma Huang. Thus the compound Ephedra was mentioned because it was the active ingredient, but the actual name of the botanical it is found in is called Ma Huang.

Ephedra nevadensis on the other hand is a botanical name, and isn't referring to the compounds. In fact, numerous studies have shown that Ephedra nevadensis does not contain any Ephedra Alkaloids, and is therefore both safe and legal to sell. It just happens to have the unfortunate circumstance of having a name similar to that which was found to be a buzz word 15 years ago. It is like the unfortunate circumstance of people who have the name Katrina or Andrew, and then a hurricane is given the same name.

In short, Ephedra nevadensis is safe and legal to consume. It in no way contains Ephedra alkaloids, the compound found in the botanical Ma Huang.

A little highlight on the botanical: It grows in the deserts of the western U.S., and has been consumed for hundreds/thousands of years to help remove the buildup of mucus in our airways. Thus by supplementing with Ephedra nevadensis individuals may often feel an increase of energy because they are more effectively able to get the oxygen their body needs by clearing the congestion/pollution that has built up in their airway, which limits oxygen intake. You can find Ephedra nevadensis in products like Zija's XM+ Energy Mix and XM3 Energy Drink.

Herbalists can still prescribe ephedra

Source:http://www.drsteelsmith.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=39&Itemid=2

(Steelsmith Natural Health Center)

Herbalists can still prescribe ephedra Q. I’ve heard that any day now the herb ephedra will become unavailable in the United States. Since I’ve used it for many years to help control my asthma, is there any way that I will still be able to obtain it?

A. The FDA recently issued a ruling prohibiting the sale of ephedra, also known as ma huang, in products marketed as dietary supplements as of April 12, 2004. However, there’s good news: you will still be able to use ephedra as long as it is prescribed within the scope of traditional Chinese herbal medicine.

The FDA ruling is in response to some reported overuse and abuse of ephedra, which was often advertised to promote weight loss.

The doses people were able to purchase over the counter were considered potentially dangerous.

Excessive intake of the herb can cause a range of side effects, including insomnia, anxiety, strokes, increases in blood pressure and heart rate and heart attacks.

According to the FDA, a number of deaths in the United States were linked to overuse of ephedra.

In Chinese herbal medicine, ephedra has been used safely and effectively for thousands of years in the treatment of colds, flus, and asthma.

It has traditionally been prescribed in small doses, combined with other herbs, to achieve a variety of medicinal effects.

For instance, one common Chinese herbal formula which first appeared in a medical classic known as Shang Han Lun during the Han dynasty (202 B.C.-220 A.D.), contains eight different herbs, with ephedra only 5 percent of the formula’s total composition.

The other herbs in the formula help ease coughing, clear heat in the lungs, and eliminate mucous.

The new FDA regulations will help protect the public from taking too much of an herb that in smaller doses can have potent medicinal benefits, and in large doses can be harmful to your health.

The ephedra controversy demonstrates that herbs can be misused when removed from an ancient system of medicine and marketed by companies more interested in profits than public health.

Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine, such as licensed acupuncturists, who are trained to know how and when to use this powerful herb, will be able to continue prescribing it in appropriate doses for specific conditions.

Article was originally printed in the Honolulu Advertiser, honoluluadvertiser.com

Health Benefits of Ephedra

Source:https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/herbs-and-spices/ephedra.html

(Organic Facts)

Some of the most impressive health benefits of ephedra include its ability to boost energy, help with weight loss, eliminate fatigue, increase cognition, boost the immune system, strengthen respiratory health, boost heart rate and blood pressure, and eliminate excess water.

Ephedra

Ephedra sinica is the scientific name of the plant from which the substance known as ephedra is derived. Commonly known by dozens of names around the world, perhaps most famously as ma huang in China, this medicinal extract has been use for more than 2,000 years. It has recently come into popularity once again due to its potential for the weight loss and bodybuilding community, but there are many medicinal applications of ephedra that make it a valuable asset for anyone looking to boost their overall health. Ephedra can be consumed as a tea by brewing the plant, but the most popular way of consuming this herb is now through pill supplements. However, due to its possible “drug-like” effects, it has been banned in many countries, and is not allowed to be used in many professional sports. If smoked, this plant can have hallucinogenic or narcotic effects, but this can also be quite dangerous. Depending on your country of residence or profession, be careful with how you use or acquire ephedra or ephedrine.ephedra

There is a great controversy about the use of ephedra, and some specialists actually suggest that it can be dangerous. However, for more than two millennia, healthy small doses of ephedra have been effectively used as a traditional remedy for a wide range of disorders and health concerns. Now, let’s take a closer look at some of these health benefits of ephedra.

Health Benefits of Ephedra

Boost Energy Levels: The main use of ephedra in popular culture is as an energy booster, but that name can be slightly deceptive. Ephedra and its active compound ephedrine, stimulate the heart and increase blood flow, which energizes the body and keeps muscles fresh with blood and oxygen. This can also be dangerous, however, as it can potentially put strain on the heart if a person is already suffering from certain heart conditions.

Weight Loss: The huge rise in popularity of ephedra is related to its effects on weight loss and working out. When people are looking for a fast way to lose weight, even if they aren’t particularly active, ephedra presents a unique solution. It stimulates the metabolism, which increases fat-burning. Some people use ephedra without any physical component, which can put additional strain on the body’s system. However, the supplement’s popularity hasn’t waned in certain countries, despite the controversy.

Eliminates Fatigue: If you suffer from chronic fatigue or are someone who experiences insomnia, resulting in exhaustion the next day, an ephedra supplement can help to temporarily increase your energy levels and prevent fatigue from keeping you active and engaged with your day. This should only be used in small amounts, and not in the same way as you might turn to a daily cup of coffee.

Increases Cognition: There have been certain studies that have linked ephedra to increased cognition. This is mainly due to the increased blood flow to the brain and other important organs, optimizing neural processing and keeping our brains “fresh”. The benefits of this drug on cognition must be balanced against the other potential dangers, and again, should not be a regularly consumed supplement.

Immune System: When it comes to the common cold and the flu, a cure always seems to be just out of reach. There are certain steroidal properties to ephedra that make it an effective booster for the immune system. While this shouldn’t be used as a constant preventative medicine, some people and studies have argued that taking ephedra in the onset stages of illness can help prevent full-blown sickness or quicken healing time.

Respiratory Health: Ephedra can help to reduce inflammation of mucous membranes in the body, particularly in the respiratory tract, which makes it quite effective in preventing asthmatic attacks and wheezing. By allowing for clear passage of air to the lungs, ephedra can alleviate these common respiratory conditions that affect millions of people.

Blood Pressure: Although most people are concerned about lowering their blood pressure, there are those that suffer from hypotension, which can be just as dangerous in its own way. By adding ephedra to your herbal remedy regimen, you can successfully boost your heart health and blood pressure. You should always speak to a medical professional before using an herbal remedy to affect something as important as cardiovascular regularity.

A Final Word of Warning: There is such controversy around the use of ephedra that it is best to do your due diligence and then speak candidly with a medical professional. In some applications, it is appropriate, but not in others. Do not attempt to make that decision for yourself, as the side effects can be quite serious. Negative responses to ephedra include headaches, nervousness, vomiting, heart attacks, and even death in the most extreme cases.

Benefits and side-effects of herbal medicines

Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/health-fitness/health-news/Benefits-and-side-effects-of-herbal-medicines/articleshow/49151051.cms

By Altaf Patel (Mumbai Mirror)

I don't belittle medicines that I don't have the knowledge of, and I am always interested in patients who find relief from an alternative branch of medicine. One of the reasons being, I attempt to understand how a particular medication has helped.

However, the one thing that I'm skeptical about, and which I dissuade my patients from following, is metal therapy. I have seen people suffering from kidney failures, and a few even expiring, so that's one `therapy' that I wouldn't advise anyone to follow.

Several of my patients often ask me about the benefits/side-effects of herbal medicines. Let me tell you, herbal treatment is not alien to doctors practicing allopathy. I'll give you an example.

There is a medication called Sarpagandha (Rauvolfia serpentia, or the Indian snakeroot). It is a species of a flowering plant in the family Apocynaceae, and the extracts of this plant has a compound called reserpine, which is used in anti-hypertensive medications. It is said that Mahatma Gandhi used reserpine as a tranquiliser.

I have in the past used this compound to treat patients (it has now been replaced by better medications). The point I'm trying to make is, such compounds cannot be simply called herbal medication. Rather, they should be termed `integrative medicine', the interface between herbs and allopathy.

Simply put, herbal medicines are compounds extracted from herbs. They have been in existence since ancient times. It is worth noting that 25% of the medical molecules available in the US have their origins in herbs, and at least 7,000 medical compounds have their origins in plants. Modern molecules such as quinine, aspirin and digitalis -the latter is derived from foxgloves and used to treat heart failure -come from herbal parenthood.

The extracts of several herbs are put into capsules and claimed that the tablets will act on the body the same way as the natural substance. This may not be true.

Among the herbs available in tablet form, and prescribed fairly often, is the St John's-wort, which is hypericum perforatum, a flowering plant in the family Hypericaceae, a medicinal herb with antidepressant activity, and potent anti-inflammatory properties. Till a few years ago, the general perception was that the medication being herbal, it was wellsuited to treat such conditions in pregnant women, where pharmacological molecules may be contraindicated because of their effects on the foetus. This, however, does not appear to be correct.

There have been several concerns about using St John's-wort, and it appears that it does interfere with some of the allopathic medications.

Another interesting herb which I have come across is Ma huang, which is known in English as ephedra. It is a medicinal preparation from the plant Ephedra sinica, and is widely used by athletes as a performance-enhancing drug, and also for weight loss. In recent years, ephedra-containing supplements have been found to be unsafe, following which the US Food and Drug Administration banned it.

Then there is the hugely popular Malabar tamarind, or GARCINIA CAMBOGIA, a weight loss supplement that people from across the country vouch for. It is also said to stabilise blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

The Journal of Obesity in 2011 reviewed it, and said that people who used it did lose about 2lbs (about 0.9 kg) more compared to those who didn't. In 2009, the FDA had cautioned the doctors against its usage because of liver problems, but it couldn't be established that the medication caused such ailments.

A study in food and chemical toxicology stated that high doses of the herb can cause testicular atrophy. Anecdotal experiences do suggest it to be useful in weight loss but medical literature is sparse on the subject, and I will not comment on it.

People willing to spend a lot of money on the `miracle pill' for weight loss, but they don't want to exercise or control their diet. As a result, the search for such a pill continues. The fact that it's herbal, therefore it's safe, is far off the truth.

One must remember that many medicinal molecules are derived from herbs, and when they become pharmacological, they are subject to extensive scrutiny by various organisations. Herbal medicines come under the umbrella of nutraceuticals, and there is an impression that all of them are safe for consumption, which may not be true. One must remember that the philosopher Socrates was put to death by making him drink a liquid derived from herbs.

Ephedra Shrubs have a Long Medicinal History

Source:http://mvprogress.com/2013/04/03/ephedra-shrubs-have-a-long-medicinal-history/

By BRUCE LUND