Ephedra Products - Learn About The History Of Ephedra

Ephedra is well known all across the Unitedseveral proposals to regulate the use of ephedra
States, along with other countries. Ephedraproducts, along with attempts to ban sales in the
Products were first introduced in China over 2000United States.
years ago. It was an herbal medicine that wouldDue to adverse side effects, the FDA
help treat individuals who were suffering fromcommissioned Rand Corporation to perform
bronchial asthma, flu, cold, wheezing, along withextensive research and analyze the safety and
edma. During the autumn also known as the fallefficacy of Ephedra. Throughout the study it
season, the ephedra plant is harvested. It is thenconfirmed that Ephedra Products did promote
dried in the sun and sectioned to be prepared forweight loss, however there was the potential of
use. Each section of the harvest will be boiled,side effects for those who use ephedra diet pills.
often times in a honey & water mixture, andIt was also mentioned that ephedra use could
then roasted until the remaining water hasincrease health risks, which include heart attack,
evaporated. It would then be used as a remedystroke and the possibility of death.
to help treat typhoid, coughing, colds and otherAfter the analysis of Rand Corporation, the FDA
miscellaneous pains.then proposed a ruling of limiting sales of Ephedra
In Northern India and Pakistan, Ephedra ProductsProducts that contained 8mg or more of ephedra
have a long history to help relieve symptoms ofalkaloids which is from the sinica family. The FDA
bronchial asthma. The India and Pakistani culturealso wanted to enforce stricter labels on the
would use the dried stems of Ephedra Geradiana,products to warn consumers the potential side
which is particular ephedra specie. It has beeneffects and health risks. This ruling occurred in
compared to ephedrine, because they feel it1997 and was then withdrawn in 2000 by the
contains the same adrenergic drug. Ephedrine isFDA.
found in the Ephedracea specie and has a longIn 2004, the FDA pursued a ban to restrict the
history as being used as a broncondilator insales of Ephedra Products and it was a success.
orthodox medicine.Judge Tena Campbell of the Federal District Cour
The areas of West Texas and Northern Mexico,in Utah then later overturned the ban on April 15,
individuals harvested the stem extractions of2005. Ephedra Products containing 10mg or less a
Ephedra antisyphilitica. This is another ephedraday of ephedrine alkaloids, where allowed to sold.
plant specie found in North America and Mexico. ItIt was stated that this amount did not pose a
was an herbal remedy to help cure renal diseasesrisk.
that Southwestern American Indians sufferedOn August 17, 2006, a federal appeals court
from for a long time. The seeds found in Ephedraupheld the FDA Ban on ephedra, which
nevadensis were also used as an herbal medicine.overturned the 2005 ruling of Judge Tena
It was used to relieve the pain and uncomfortableCampbell. The FDA stated that there is no dose
feeling of urogenital diseases. This herbal remedyof dietary supplements formulated with ephedrine
was processed through the means of roastingalkaloids that was safe. It was also mentioned
and then grinding the seeds into flour. It was thenthat the sales of weight loss products containing
ready to be used for urogential diseases.ephedrine alkaloids was illegal and subject to
Ephedra Products where also prepared much likeenforcement action.
coffee and tea. It would be brewed into aIn 2007, Nutraceutical Corporation filed a petition
beverage and then consumed by individuals towith the 10th Circuit of US Court of Appeals,
obtain its stimulating effects that it would providehowever the US Supreme Court refused to hear
them. MaHuang extract comes from the Ephedratheir petition. To this date the sales of weight loss
sinica and Ephedra equisetina species. It isproducts containing ephedrine alkaloids are
developed through the same means as instantprohibited regardless of the daily dose!
coffee and is similar in the way it's concentrated.So, where does that leave Ephedra Products
Many of you have probably heard of Mormontoday? Well, manufacturers began doing extensive
Tea, also known as Desert or Teamaster tea.research to find the next best thing and they
This was a beverage that provided stimulatingwere successful. Now, Ephedra Products are being
effects and was popular among those whoformulated from Ephedra viridis, also known as
settled in the Southwestern part of the UnitedMormon Tea. Ephedra Products that are labeled
States, along with Mexico. These teas wereas Ephedra viridis, Mormon tea or Ephedra extract
prepared from the branches of the Ephedraare legal to buy and sell.
trifurca specie.When the FDA enforced the Ephedra Ban, it was
Ephedra has also been used as a clinical medicinefor products containing ephedrine alkaloids from
in the Western Hemisphere. It was traditionallythe ephedra sinica plant. The truth is there are
used as a stimulant for the sympathetic nervousseveral different species of ephedra plants and
system. It provided support to those whothe FDA did not ban all of them. In all reality they
suffered from asthma, hayfever, allergies anddidn't even ban the plant ephedra, just products
arthritis. Ephedra Products as medicine would helpcontaining ephedrine alkaloids.
break body fevers and clear clogged sinusus, asThere have been thousands of reviews on the
well as raising blood pressure. It is well known tonew formulated Ephedra Products, with most of
improve your alertness and perception. In thethem being positive. Consumers compare them to
United States ephedrine is found in several Overbe as effective as the weight loss products
The Counter (OTC) Medicines, such as Sudafed,containing ephedrine alkaloids.
which is used as a nasal decongestant. EphedrineSo, the rumor that has been flying around for a
is the main active chemical from MaHuang.few years that ephedra products are banned is a
Today in the United States, Ephedra ProductsMyth. Once again, products containing ephedrine
have been used as an aid to promote weight lossalkaloids are currently banned and cannot be
and has been for over 20 years. Ephedra Weightbought or sold in the United States. However, the
Loss Products is also referred to as MaHuang. It isban did not prohibit Ephedra viridis, Mormon tea or
the alkaloid chemical that's collected from the plantEphedra extract, which are currently being used in
Ephedra Sinica. These diet pills began to receivetoday's Ephedra Products.
attention from the FDA in the early 1990's, whenLearn more about Ephedra Products, such as
they began collecting information and investigatingMetabothin.
adverse events from ephedra use. There were