Ephedra sinica
(Ma huang)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Alpha and beta adrenergic agonist
• Anti-inflammatory due to inhibition of prostaglandin E2 synthesis
• Antispasmodic
• Antitussive
• Bronchodilator, effect occurs in one hour after ingestion and lasts about 5 hours
• Decongestant
• Diaphoretic
• Expectorant
• Increases cardiac output
• Increases coronary, cerebral, and muscle blood flow at the expense of splanchnic and renal blood flow
• Increases diastolic and systolic blood pressure
• Increases heart rate
• Increases metabolic rate of adipose tissue
• Mild relaxant for all smooth muscles
• Promotes weight loss
• Releases norepinephrine from sympathetic neurons
• Stimulant
• Sympathomimetic - both alpha and beta adrenergic receptors as well as the release of norepinephrine

Clinical Indications:

• Allergies
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Obesity
• Cough
• Hayfever
• Influenza and common cold
• Upper respiratory infections

Contraindications:

• Anorexia nervosa due to appetite suppressive effects
• Diabetes due to hyperglycemic activity of ephedrine
• Enlarged prostate gland due to alpha-adrenergic activity causing contraction of the bladder neck
• Glaucoma due to reduced fluid drainage from the eye
• Heart disease due to the arrhythmiceffects
• Hypertension due to vasoconstrictive activity
• Hyperthyroidism due to the increased T3 to T4 ration after four weeks of ephedrine use
• Insomnia due to adrenergic stimulant effects
• Pregnancy
• Raynaud's disease
• Stomach ulcers due to reduction of mucus production
• Weak, aged, or debilitated patient

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Amitriptyline blocks the hypertensive effect of ephedrine
• Decreases the effect of dexamethasone
• Methyl xanthines, including caffeine and theophylline, taken concurrently with ephedrine produce increased thermogenesis resulting in decrease of body fat
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors, including tranylcypromine, phenelzine, selegiline and moclobemide, taken concurrently with ephedrine can elevate blood pressure
• Reserpine antagonizes indirect sympathomimetic effects of ephedrine, including hypertension and mydriasis
• Urinary acidifiers, includig ammonium chloride, increase the rate of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine excretion
• Urinary alkalinizers, including sodium bicarbonate, decrease the rate of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine excretion

Chemical Constituents:

• Ephedrine, an alkaloid that is molecularly similar to catecholamines

Toxicity:

• Symptoms include:
  
  CNS stimulation
  Nausea
  Tachycardia
  Tremors
  Urinary retention

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).