What is Ma Huang?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
February 5, 2002
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Worldwide, there are 35 species of Ephedra, mostly plants of temperate arid wastes and deserts. These are holdovers from ancient times. A few species of Ephedra have secondary chemicals; two we have found useful in medicine, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.
Ephedra sinica has been used medicinally in China for about 5000 years. The stems were sun-dried and generally used in a tea to treat colds, asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, hypotension (low blood pressure), and hives. Chinese herbalists were very careful with Ephedra which they called Ma Huang. The name is said to serve as a warning, meaning "asking for trouble".
The use of Ma Huang generally included other herbs which the Chinese added to increase the effectiveness (and decrease the amount of Ephedra) and to counter the side effects.
The alkaloids present in Ephedra sinica were isolated in 1887 by an Asian biochemist who noticed the effectiveness of the herbal treatments. The physiological properties were not understood until the early 1920s. Ephedrine acts similarly to adrenaline, the stimulation could prevent death by increasing the heart rate and restoring circulation to the vital organs.
Ephedrine is a vasoconstrictor. It elevates blood pressure by stimulating the heart and constricting the blood vessels. Ephedrine is used during surgery to counterbalance the anesthesia. It is effective against depressant overdose.
Ephedrine also acts as a bronchodilator, opening the air passages in severe allergic reactions and asthma. As a stimulant to the sympathetic nervous system, ephedrine has side effects which the Chinese herbalists knew--headaches, anxiety, restlessness, convulsions, cardiac arrhythmias, and death. Long term use weakens the adrenal glands.
Pseudoephedrine is a decongestant used to treat allergic rhinitis and colds. The side effect is drowsiness which limits it use. Pseudoephedrine and ephedrine were easily synthesized in laboratories. They have not been extracted from Ephedra since the late 1920s when the first asthma inhalants came on the market.
The University of Maryland has a photograph of an American species, Ephedra torreyana. To view James Reveal's photograph, click on the link:
http://www.life.umd.edu/emeritus/reveal/pbio/slides14/14509a.jpg
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Cold & Flu Time Tea - (No Ma Huang), 6 Units / 20 bag
MotherNature.com®
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This tea is a delicious traditional blend of soothing and balancing herbs. A popular formulation without the use of Ma Huang, this blend was traditionally used for temporary relief of a wide range of minor discomforts associated with the cold and flu season, including congestion, stuffy nose, sore throat, coughing, body- and head- aches, and stomach upsets. For added benefits, use Triple Leaf Ginger Tea during the cold and flu season.
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Ingredients:
Chinese honeysuckle, mulberry leaf, lophatherum, pueraria root, peppermint, licorice root, orange peel.
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Herbal tea, all natural. Soothing Chinese herbs. Traditional support of the defenses. A comforting cup of tea for the cold and flu season. Ancient Chinese medicinals. We use oxygen bleached tea bags. Our boxes are made from recycled paperboard and biodegradable.
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Ripped Fuel Extreme - Ephedra Free, 60 cap
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Twinlab's Ripped Fuel Extreme Ephedra Free is for males who are looking for an extreme way to fight fat and enhance lean muscle mass. Ephedra Free Ripped Fuel Extreme provides even greater benefits with a Proprietary Thermogenic Blend PLUS CYCLOBURNTM - a proprietary herbal blend to further enhance results.
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Ingredients:
Niacin from nicotinic acid (40mg), biotin (150mg), pantothenic acid from d-calcium pantothenate (12mg), proprietary thermogenic blend from caffeine, green tea leaf extract, cocoa seed extract, citrus aurantium fruit extract guarana seed extract, cycloburn propietary herbal blend from ginger root extract, cayenne fruit quercetin, wasabi extract, naringin complex, coleus forskohlii root extract, white willow bark extract, L-tyrosine, catuaba bark, citrus bioflavonoids, gelatin, cellulose, purified water, MCT, magnesium, stearate, silica, and potassium phosphate.
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Fish Oil - 1000 mg 100 soft gel
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Spectrum Fish Oil contains the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. EPA supports heart health, reduces inflammation and improves cellular integrity, while DHA supports memory and nervous system functioning.Our Fish Oil comes from non-threatened species of wild-caught, small, plankton-feeding fish (anchovies, mackerel and sardines) that are low on the food chain. Harvesting these types of fish also ensures that our oil tests below acceptable limits of harmful contaminants set by the Council for Responsible Nutrition and other advisory agencies. Spectrum uses only the purest fish oil with a naturally occurring ratio of 18:12 EPA to DHA. Convenient 1000 mg softgels.
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Ingredients:
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ActiVin - 50 mg 60 tab
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Fights free-radical scavengers and supports overall health. Activin contains Grape Seed extract, which provides antioxidant protection more effective than vitamins C and E, strengthens skin collagen, connective tissue and vascular walls; maintains normal blood platelet function, and may be beneficial for cancer, cataracts, heart disease, diabetes, aging skin, colds and flu, prostate disease, psoriasis and multiple sclerosis.
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Ingredients:
Calcium (as Dicalcium Phosphate) 45 mg, Grape Seed Extract 50 mg.
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