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EPHEDRA On December 30, 2003, the FDA announced their intention to ban Ephedra. Epherda is also known as Man Hung has been used for thousands of years in the Asia culture. This herb was used for asthma, and hay fever. (I have given my children small amounts for allergies and nothing I found has worked better). Ephedra can raise blood pressure. When Herbalists use the whole plant, which contains six other alkaloids, one being a pseudoephedrine, the blood pressure is stabilized and heart rate reduced. In China it is given at the first sign of cold and influenza (Mabey Richard, The New Age Herbalist, New York, 1988, PP 56, 188). It is interesting to note, that a one time the drug companies try to market this herb for treatment for asthma. This plant has been used safety for generations in China, when using the whole plant. When this medicinal plant was misused or abused,
side effects, can occur even deadly ones. With the high-profile case of Baltimore Orioles
pitcher Steve Bechler, who died from using ephedra, with a quick attempt to lose weight during spring training, most vitamin
lines stopped carrying it. It is truly sad about Mr. Bechler, and his family's lost. But what is also truly sad,
that Mr. Bechler did not do a little research on this herb, before putting it into his body. I have not heard from
anyone, how much he took, and if he read the warning label on the bottle. Thus, we encourage our clients to take more responsibility for
their own health, by being informed! As of April 12, ephedra will be banned by the FDA. If you disagree
with this ruling, please call or write to your elected legislators. I believe all consumers should be truthfully informed about all
supplements, positive and negative. And I support the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994
(DSHEA). But I also believe people should have the right to chose what supplement can benefit them.
And if we are not careful, we may lose our right to take natural supplements!
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