Ephedra /Ephed·ra/ (ĕ-fed´rah) a genus of low, branching shrubs indigenous to China and India. E. equiseti´na Bunge., E. sini´ca Stapf., E. vulga´ris, and other species (all called ma huang in China) are sources of ephedrine.
ephedra,
ephedra,
e·phed·ra ( -f d r , f-dr)n. 1. Any of various mostly shrubby gymnosperms of the genus Ephedra, some of which (especially E. sinica) are used as a source of ephedrine. 2. A stimulant derived from a plant of this genus. |
ephedra,
an evergreen herb found throughout the world. Also called ma huang.
uses The sale of ephedra was banned in the U.S. by the FDA in December of 2003 because of safety concerns (e.g., highlighted by death of baseball pitcher Steve Bechler), making it the first over-the-counter nutritional supplement to be banned. This herb was used for seasonal and chronic asthma, nasal congestion, and cough.
contraindications People cultivating their own ephedra should be aware that it is contraindicated in those with known hypersensitivity to sympathomimetics, women who are pregnant or lactating, children less than 12 years of age, and people with narrow-angle glaucoma, seizure disorders, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, prostatic hypertrophy, arrhythmias, heart block, hypertension, psychosis, tachycardia, and angina pectoris.
ephedra,
n Latin names:
Ephedra sinica, Ephedra nevadensis, Ephedra trifurca, Ephedra equisetina, Ephedra distachya; parts used: leaves, seeds; uses: asthma, bronchitis, headaches, congestion, arthritis, weight loss; precautions: pregnancy, lactation, children younger than age 12; patients with sympathomimetics, glaucoma, seizures, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, arrhythmias, heart blockage, hypertension, prostatic hypertrophy, tachycardia, angina pectoris, and psychological disorders; considered unsafe by the FDA; can cause palpitations, tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmias, stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, insomnia, anxiety, hallucinations, tremors, seizures, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dysuria, urinary retention, dermatitis, dyspnea, contractions of the uterus. Also called
Brigham tea, cao ma huang, desert tea, epitonin, herba ephedrae, herbal, joint fir, ma huang, mahuanggen, Mexican tea, Mormon tea, muzei mu huang, natural ecstasy, popotillo, sea grape, squaw tea, teamster's tea, yellow astringent, yellow horse, and
zhong ma huang. See also ma huang.
Ephedra sinica, Ephedra nevadensis, Ephedra trifurca, Ephedra equisetina, Ephedra distachya; parts used: leaves, seeds; uses: asthma, bronchitis, headaches, congestion, arthritis, weight loss; precautions: pregnancy, lactation, children younger than age 12; patients with sympathomimetics, glaucoma, seizures, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, arrhythmias, heart blockage, hypertension, prostatic hypertrophy, tachycardia, angina pectoris, and psychological disorders; considered unsafe by the FDA; can cause palpitations, tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmias, stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, insomnia, anxiety, hallucinations, tremors, seizures, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dysuria, urinary retention, dermatitis, dyspnea, contractions of the uterus. Also called
Brigham tea, cao ma huang, desert tea, epitonin, herba ephedrae, herbal, joint fir, ma huang, mahuanggen, Mexican tea, Mormon tea, muzei mu huang, natural ecstasy, popotillo, sea grape, squaw tea, teamster's tea, yellow astringent, yellow horse, and
zhong ma huang. See also ma huang.
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