Ephedra sinica

 

Ephedra sinica [Image]. [2014]. Retrieved from: http://www.e-yakusou.com/sou/sou335.htm

Common name: 
Ma Huang
(Hoffman, 1983, 192)

Latin binomial:
Ephedra sinica
(Hoffman, 1983, 192)

Family: 
Ephedraceae
(Hoffman, 1983, 192)

Parts used:
Aerial stems
(Hoffman, 1983, 192)

Active constituents:

• 1 1/4 Alkaloids (ephedrine and norephedrine)
• Tannins
• Saponins
• Flavone
• Essential oils 

(Hoffman, 1983, 192)

Actions:

• Vasodilator
• Hypertensive
• Circulatory
• Stimulant
• Anti-allergic

(Hoffman, 1983, 192)

Indications:

• Asthma
• Associated conditions due to its power to relieve spasms in the bronchial tubes
• Bronchial asthma
• Bronchitis
• Whooping cough
• Reduces allergic reactions (hay fever)
• Low blood pressure
• Circulatory insufficiency 

(Hoffman, 1983, 192)  

Contraindications:

• Ephedra should not be used during pregnancy. Ephedrine crosses the placenta and has been found to increase fetal heart rate. Ephedra may induce uterine contractions.
• Avoid with known allergy or hypersensitivity to ephedra or to ephedra constituents, such as ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Anecdotal reports have noted the occurrence of allergic reactions, including contact dermatitis, erythroderma, and exfoliative dermatitis.

(Basch, Basch, Bent, Catapang, Culwell, Dacey, Ernst, Hammerness,  Isaac, MacWhorter, Nguyen, Pacitto,  Robinson, Tanguay-Colucci, Ulbricht,Vora, Weissner, Woods, 2013).   

Cautions:

• Use cautiously in patients with kidney disease, due to multiple case reports of associated nephrolithiasis.
• Use cautiously in patients with thyroid disease, due to human research suggesting that ephedra increases serum levels of thyroid hormones.
• Use cautiously in patients with gastrointestinal disorders, due to anecdotal reports and human research noting various ephedra-associated gastrointestinal adverse effects.
• Use cautiously in patients with glaucoma.
• Use cautiously in patients with peptic ulcer disease.
• Use cautiously in patients with depression, anxiety disorders, anorexia, bulimia, or a history of suicidal ideation.
• Use cautiously in patients with urinary retention or benign pro static hypertrophy.

(Basch, Basch, Bent, Catapang, Culwell, Dacey, Ernst, Hammerness,  Isaac, MacWhorter, Nguyen, Pacitto,  Robinson, Tanguay-Colucci, Ulbricht,Vora, Weissner, Woods, 2013). 

Dosage:

• Decoction: 1-2 teaspoons of dried herb in one cup of water, bring to the boil and simmer for 10-15 minutes, drink 3 times daily.
• Tincture: 1-4ml, 3 times daily

(Hoffman, 1983, 192)

References:

Basch, Basch, Bent, Catapang, Culwell, Dacey, Ernst, Hammerness,  Isaac, MacWhorter, Nguyen, Pacitto,  Robinson, Tanguay-Colucci, Ulbricht,Vora, Weissner, Woods. (2013), Natural standard professional monographs.  
 
Hoffman, D. (1983) The holistic herbal. Element books: Dorset.