Herbs & Herbal Remedies @ Green Papaya

Mainstream medical researchers insist pseudoephedrine, the related chemical used in commercial cold preparations, is safer than ephedrine. Scientific herbalists agree, but they insist the whole ephedra plant is safer than either ephedrine or psuedoephedrine. In Herbal Medicine for Everyone, British herbalist Michael McIntyre writes that pure ephedrine “markedly raises blood pressure …. But the whole [ephedra] plant actually reduces blood pressure.” German medical herbalist Rudolph Fritz Weiss, M.D., maintains that the whole plant “has certain advantages [over suedoephedrine]. Above all, it is better tolerated, causing fewer heart symptoms such as palpitations.”

The ephedra/pseudoephedrine issue remains unresolved Anyone who has high blood pressure should consult his physician before using this herb. Also, he should invest in a home blood pressure device to self-monitor his condition. If you have one, you can check ephedra’s effects. If the herb lowers your blood pressure, your physician will probably give you the go-ahead to use it. If it raises your blood pressure, don’t use it. Anyone with heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, or an overactive thyroid gland [hyperthyroidism] should exercise caution and not use ephedra.

Ephedra often causes insomnia. People with sleep problems should not take it late in the day.

Finally, ephedra causes dry mouth. Increase your nonalcohol fl uid intake when you use it.

The Food and Drug Administration considers ephedra an herb of “undefined safety.” For otherwise healthy non-pregnant, non-nursing adults who do not have high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, glaucoma, or overactive thyroid, and who are not taking other medications that raise blood pressure or cause anxiety or insomnia, ephedra is considered relatively safe when used cautiously for short periods of time.

Ephedra should be used in medicinal amounts only in consultation with your doctor. If ephedra causes insomnia, nervousness, or stomach upset, use less or stop using it. Let your doctor know if you experience any unpleasant effects or if the symptoms for which the herb is being used do not improve significantly in two weeks.

Competitive athletes should be extremely cautious regarding the use of ephedra. For example, it is on the United States Olympic Committee’s list of banned substances.

A Weird Plant

Ephedra is not a garden herb. It is an odd-looking, botanically primitive, almost leafless shrub that resembles horsetail. It has tough, jointed, barkless stems and branches, with small scale-like leaves and tiny yellow-green flowers that appear in summer. Male and female flowers appear on different plants. Seeds develop in cones.

Ephedra’s active constituents (ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and norpseudoephedrine) are strong central nervous system stimulants, more powerful than caffeine but less potent than amphetamine. Ephedrine itself opens the bronchial passages, thus acting as a bronchodilator, stimulates the heart, and increases blood pressure, metabolic rate, and perspiration and urine production It also reduces the secretion of both saliva and stomach acids.

Chinese ephedra contains significant amounts of ephedrine. The American species is richer in norpseudoephedrine.

Some herb marketers have mistakenly called American ephedra rna huang, and the Chinese herb “Mormon tea” Make sure any ephedra you purchase is identified by species. E. sinica has the greatest decongestant/bronchodilator potential. The other species of ephedra are generally less potent in this regard.

Decongestant - From the late 1920s through the: 940s, ephedrine was used in cold, asthma, and hay fever products as a decongestant and bronchodilator. Ephedrlnewasgenerally effective and reasonably safe, but it was also known to cause potentially hazardous side effects, including increased blood pressure and rapid heartbeat (palpitations). It was eventually replaced with a close chemical substitute, pseudoephedrine, which scientists consider equally effective but less problematic. Pseudoephedrine is the active ingredient in many over-the-counter cold and allergy products, notably Sudafed.

Weight Loss - As a central nervous system stimulant, the ephedrine in ma huang increases basal metabolic rate (BMR), meaning it spurs the body to burn calories faster. Laboratory animals given ephedrine show BMR increases, and as a result, significant weight loss, according to a study in the American lournal of Clinical Nutrition.

Caffeine (in coffee, tea, cocoa, chocolate, mate, and cola drinks) enhances ephedra’s weight-loss-promoting effect. Both caffeine and ephedrine, however, are powerful stimulants. Taken at the same time, they cause insomnia, nervousness, irritability, and “speediness.”

Weight - loss authorities say the key to permanent weight control is a low-fat, high-fiber diet and regular aerobic exercise.

Smoking Cessation - One study shows ephedrine helps smokers quit by decreasing cigarette cravings. If you’re attempting to quit, try ephedra and see if it works for you.

Women’s Health - Ephedrine causes uterine contractions in laboratory animals. Pregnant women should not use it. Other women may try it to initiate menstruation.

Myth - In the Old West, American ephedra also developed a reputation as a cure for syphilis and gonorrhea. It was served at many brothels, hence the name whorehouse tea and the Latin name for one species, E. Antisyphilitica.

It turns out that ephedra has no effect whatsoever on syphilis or gonorrhea. Anyone who develops a genital sore or discharge should consult a physician.

Rx for Ephedra

Use a decoction or tincture to take advantage of ephedra’s potent Healing benefits as a decongestant or weight-loss aid, to help quit smoking, or to promote menstruation. You’ll find the taste pleasantly piney.

For a decoction, mix 1 teaspoon of dried ma huang per cup of water, bring to a boil, then simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink up to 2 cups a day.

In a tincture, take ¼ to I teaspoon up to three times a day.

When using commercial preparations, follow package directions.

Ephedra should not be given to children under age 2. For older children and people over 65, start with low-strength preparations and increase strength if necessary.

The World’s Original Healer

Family: Ephedraceae; (includes Broom, Horsetail)

Genus and Species: Ephedra Sinica, E. Vulgaris, E. Nevadensis, E. Antisyphilitica, and other species

Also known as: Ma Huang, Mormon Tea, Whorehouse Tea

Parts used: Stems, branches

Ephedra, a powerful bronchial decongestant is generally considered the world’s oldest medicine. Sadly, few people who take over-the-counter cold remedies containing this herb’s laboratory analog (pseudoephedrine) have any idea they are part of an herbal Healing tradition dating back 5,000 years.

Ma Huang and Mormon Tea

The origins of Chinese medicine are lost in legend, but authorities agree Chinese physicians began prescribing ephedra tea for colds, asthma, and hay fever around 3000 B.C. The Indian and Pakistani species of the herb have been used medicinally almost as long. Chinese ephedra (E. sinica) is known as rna huang.

When the Mormons reached Utah in 1847, local Indians introduced them to native American ephedra, a piney-tasting tonic beverage. The Mormons adopted it as a substitute for coffee and tea, and around the West it became known as Mormon tea, a name that survives to this day.

Contemporary herbalists recommend ephedra just as the ancient Chinese did, to treat asthma, hay fever, and the nasal and chest congestion of colds and flu.