Ephedra Uses

Ephedra, also known as Ma Huang, is a shrub that has long been recognized by the Chinese as a potent medicine for over 4,000 years. Its active compounds are ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Ephedrine was the controversial ingredient which took the weight loss market by storm in the nineties but grew to be its pitfall in the early 2000s.

Despite ephedra’s danger in fat burners and other weight loss supplements, the plant has a lot to contribute to medicine.

Uses and Benefits

Ephedra may not be desirable for weight loss but it is highly important as a component in drugs for:

• the treatment of muscular and bronchial asthma, migraine and nasal congestion due to hay fever, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, and the common cold
• raising blood pressure
• alleviating rheumatism
• dropping fever temperatures
• use as an antibiotic and immune system stimulator
• aiding digestion
• blood purification
• treatment of joint pain and swelling
  

Ephedra was an effective weight loss aid but its actions in increasing metabolism and curbing appetite were the very same factors that led to serious adverse reactions, which in some cases, proved to be fatal.

Dosage

For healthy dieters, ephedra was considered safe at a dosage of 90 mg. a day. Strong side effects may be felt at least at the 150 mg. level. Ephedra intake should never exceed 300 mg. in one day.

Ephedra In Weight Loss Supplements

The unregulated formulation of dietary supplements, however, had given almost free rein to manufacturers to determine their own ephedra quantities. This fact, marketing hype, plus low consumer education on the effects of their ingredients (except to pander to consumer desires), had brought down the FDA’s axe on their promising ingredient. In other words, the weight loss industry literally killed the goose that laid their golden eggs.

It may be true that ephedra can be considered safe in the amounts stipulated; however, other ingredients in a supplement mix must also be studied in terms of their actions in concert with ephedra. Ephedra may be safe at the purported 90 mg. dosage but may be dangerous when used synergistically with other herbs and substances in a pill.

For now, ephedra is unavailable; and if it is, it is illegal. Overall health should not be compromised for the sake of some pound loss. Instead a decision should be made on incorporating healthy lifestyle changes and for the time being, a safe weight loss supplement that will set you down the path to a slimmer, better you. Phentramin-D will make a good alternative. Learn more about it here at WeightComment.com.