Many
people enjoy taking herbs to avoid the side effects of heavy medication.
However, in the case of Ma Huang the consumer may be getting many more side
effects than they bargained for. Traditionally, Ma Huang was used in small
amounts to stimulate healing in the body. However, in modern herbology Ma Huang
has been used for its physical properties only and usually in larger amounts
than were traditionally prescribed. Further dangers have been presented when it
is combined with other herbs that increase its strength or change its effects on
the body.
In
traditional Chinese medicine, Ma Huang (also commonly known as ephedra) refers
to the stems and branches. It is said to have an affinity with the lungs and the
bladder and act as a diaphoretic and stimulant to the respiratory system by
opening the bronchioles. It is used in the treatment of chills, fevers,
bronchial asthma and hay fever (Reid, p.81). Maa Huanggen, refers to the roots
and rhizome and has limited medicinal benefits, but is employed in profuse night
sweats.
The
name ephedra, however, actually refers to 40 related species of plant. For
example, there is ephedra sinica from China, ephedra distacha, trifurca and
viridis from Europe, ephedra nevadensis (Mormon Tea) and ephedra americana from
North America and ephedra Gerardiana from Pakistan and India (Vaughn, p.1). The
North American variety doesn’t contain the alkaloids present in the Asian
varieties (Box p.1).
In
traditional Chinese herbology, Ma Huang is called the “army general” because
it can be powerful but dangerous if incorrectly used (Alternative, p.2).
Traditionally, it was used is very small amounts with visualization and
breathing techniques at times of imbalance within the body, balancing and
energizing the body with no side effects. A quarter of a teaspoon infused in a
cup of boiled water was used to focus the energy gained and was not used in
larger amounts for purely physical benefits (Gurudas, p.168-170).
In
larger amounts, however, ephedra can be deadly. Ephedra contains large amounts
of ephedrine, which react badly with medical conditions like hypertension,
glaucoma, hyperthyroidism and diabetes (Vitacost, p.1). Ephedrine’s chemical
structure is similar to the human body’s adrenaline in that it raises blood
pressure by pumping more blood and taking it away from the internal organs,
muscles and legs. The pupils dilate after taking ephedrine containing herbs and
take in more light - the bronchioles also open for easy breathing. This is also
what prepares us for our instinctual ‘fight or flight’ action when in
danger.
This
effect of ephedrine on the heart and the blood pressure, therefore, has been
used to control any dangerous drop in blood pressure during spinal and epidural
anesthesia. Used wisely and in small doses, it stimulates the central nervous
system and heightens alertness. Researchers recommend 25mg as a therapeutic dose
with 200mg of caffeine. One dose quickens the heart rate, increase oxygen
intake, constricts blood vessels and increases blood pressure (Univ., p.1).
However, this increase of blood flow is at the expense of the kidneys and the
intestinal blood flow. Uterine muscles are relaxed by ephedrine - and even with
the whole plant - it is not recommended in pregnancy (Gurudas, p.168). In the
treatment of asthma and hay fever, ephedrine is effective in mild to moderate
cases. Its peak bronchodilatory effect occurs one hour after ingestion and last
for five hours (Vaughan, p.2).
Although,
when used wisely, ephedra can provide benefits to the body, it is harder to
monitor these benefits when it is combined with other herbs or drugs. As a
dietary supplement, for instance, ephedrine is combined with a cocktail of
ingredients like caffeine, aspirin and other ephedrine alkaloids. Industry
analysts stated that ephedrine-based products have fueled a growing sports
nutrition and supplement market. However, four football players have died in
recent years in what researchers are saying could have been ephedrine related
deaths.
Ephedra
has become suspect because of how it is used by athletes. It is used to enhance
performance by increasing stamina, heart rate and energy. However, it is often
used in summer heat, in high humidity, and during intense training conditions.
As the heart beats frantically, the body sweats, losing water, which lowers the
blood volume, which in turn increases the blood pressure. Cardiologists say,
“The body is already releasing adrenaline, and the sympathetic nervous system
is highly stimulated. Then you combine all of this with a product, which is
doing the same thing. In susceptible individuals this is a recipe for
disaster.”
Traditionally,
Ma Huang is not used in diet formula or as a recreational or sports drug.
Futhermore, because the properties from the whole plant work synergistically,
many practitioners of herbal medicine prescribe Ma Huang with other herbs. For
example, in traditional Chinese medicine, for asthma, Ma Huang was used with
almond, or with mint for allergic skin reactions (Reid, p.81).
Isolated
from the source, however, ephedrine (an extract from Ma Huang) can be as toxic
as other alkaloids such as cocaine, morphine and quinine (Dentali, p.1). In
fact, ephedrine is used to produce the illegal drug methamphetamine. Because of
this, the U.S Congress attempted to ban ephedrine in 1995 but failed (Vitacost,
p.1). Now, it is readily available in any health food store as part of the
supplement industry and is available in capsules, concentrated drops,
powder-form, and extracts (Box, p.1).
Another
dangerous modern use of ephedrine is in weight loss programs. The thermogenic
effect, utilized in traditional Chinese medicine to treat chills, is directed
towards weight loss in combination with caffeine. The caffeine as a stimulatory
affect upon ephedrine, Ephedrine alone lasts quite long in the body. With
caffeine the effect is that of amphetamines - insomnia and dependence. Long-term
use of this combination depletes magnesium within the body leaving the muscles
over-stimulated and eventually weakened (A-better-way p.3).
From
June 1997 - March 1999, the FDA received 140 complaints of adverse reactions to
ephedra-based supplements. Cases included stroke, heart attacks, seizure and
death. The age-range of the complainants was 18 - 45 and they took 28 - 36mg
daily (Carey, p.2). When toxicologist Theodore Farber reviewed FDA reports on
ephedra on 900 incidences, he found many of the complainants had been misusing
these supplements. They had a history of hypertension, were diabetic, had a
family history of heart diseases or were taking the supplements with other
medications. In one case the person had been taking 85 pills daily (Monahan,
p.2).
In
Germany, where there are regulatory standards for herbs and supplements, the
German Commission E Monograph recommends an average single dose of 15 - 30mg of
ephedrine, which is equivalent to a daily intake of 120mg of ephedrine for
adults and 2mg for children (Wong, p.1). Also, they only recommend it for
respiratory tract diseases with mild bronchospasms (Monahan, p, 1). The FDA has
recommended that patients with heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid
disease, diabetes, difficulty in urination due to prostrate enlargement and
those who take hypertensive drugs and antidepressants refrain from using
ephedrine based products (Vaughan, p.6). They recommend a maximum daily dosage
of 24mg.
Extracting
a single ingredient from an herb is how many medications were invented and how
many more are still made. One cannot, then, extract a single ingredient and
still call it a pure and safe herbal medicine. Herbs, as a part of the laws of
nature, are about taking the time to understand what is really going on with our
health and not just physically. Only then can man and nature benefit from each
other. Traditionally, ephedra has only ever been used with other herbs, was used
in minute doses and was never used for weight loss or athletic endeavors.
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