Ephedrine
Ephedrine (EPH) is a sympathomimetic amine commonly used as a stimulant, appetite suppressant, concentration aid, decongestant, and to treat hypotension associated with anaesthesia. Ephedrine is similar in structure to the synthetic derivatives amphetamine and methamphetamine. Chemically, it is an alkaloid derived from various plants in the genus Ephedra (family Ephedraceae). It is most usually marketed in the hydrochloride and sulfate forms. In traditional Chinese medicines, the herb m?? hu??ng (??»?»„, Ephedra sinica) contains ephedrine and pseudoephedrine as its principal active constituents. The same is true of other herbal products containing extracts from Ephedra species. Nagayoshi Nagai was the first one to isolate ephedrine from Ephedra vulgaris in 1885. The substance called soma mentioned in old Hindu books such as the Rig Veda, may have been ephedra extract. This, however, is disputed, as the identity of soma.
Indications And Clinical Uses:
Symptomatic relief of nasal congestion associated with a variety of upper respiratory tract illnesses.
Effects
Ephedrine closely related to adrenalin, which has the following function in your body: the blood vessels are widened and your heartbeat increases. This causes the blood to be pumped through your body at a higher rate. The main function of blood is to supply oxygen to the body cells. These cells need oxygen to make energy by burning body fat. This whole process is fastened by ephedra.
The safety and efficacy
Caffeine and ephedrine give equivalent weight loss to Diethylpropion and superior weight loss compared to dexfenfluramine. Caffeine and ephedrine have a long history of safe, non-prescription use. The adverse events accompanying acute dosing are mild and transient. Adverse events with caffeine and ephedrine reach and remain at placebo levels after 4-12 weeks of continuous treatment, but data from randomized trials up to 6 months only are available. Obesity is chronic, requires chronic treatment, its incidence is increasing and it has few effective treatments. The benefits of caffeine and ephedrine in treating obesity appear to outweigh the small associated risks. Restriction of dietary herbal supplements containing caffeine and ephedrine, often with other ingredients, should be based on controlled clinical trials of these products.
The Chemistry
The pharmaceutical drugs Xenical?„?, Meridia?„?, and Fastin?„? (original prescription formula) all address one aspect of obesity and only one aspect. 1) Xenical?„? - Inhibits the absorption of dietary fats. 2) Meridia?„? - Suppresses the appetite by blocking the re-uptake of Serotonin. 3) Fastin?„? (original prescription formula) - Burned fat by increasing the metabolic rate. Each of these novel pharmaceuticals attack one aspect of obesity, but neglect to address the other causes of obesity!
Usage
Herbal tea is a less strong mixture which is better dosable than caps or pills. Making mormon tea out of ephedra herb is easy. For two cups take 10 grams of ephedra-herb and let it boil for 10 minutes. Then filter out the herb, for instance in a coffee filter. You now have two cups of mormon tea. If necessary add sugar to taste.
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