As a diuretic to reduce water retention.In traditional medicine practices, ephedrine has also been used for: Research shows that use of this stimulant can reduce temporary symptoms of wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath in people suffering from intermittent respiratory issues.Įphedrine is a bronchodilator, which means it causes bronchial tubes to dilate, making it easier for asthmatics and people with bronchitis to breathe. Ephedrine remains FDA-approved for the treatment of bronchial asthma and other conditions affecting the the respiratory tract. However, it can cause very serious adverse effects when used inappropriately or by those with certain underlying health conditions.Įphedrine is also used medicinally for allergic rhinitis (hay fever), allergies, asthma, bronchospasm, and respiratory tract conditions like bronchitis. While it is reliably effective for promoting weight loss, the FDA does not permit pharmaceutical companies to advertise this ingredient as a diet pill or appetite suppressant due to concerns about safety risks.Įphedrine is well-tolerated by some people when used appropriately in low doses. It also increases the heart rate, activates the CNS (central nervous system), and promotes greater caloric expenditure. The Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database reports that people use ephedrine orally for weight loss, increasing energy, and enhancing athletic performance.Įphedrine increases activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System (SNS) by stimulating beta-adrenergic receptors throughout the body.Īccording to Drugbank, ephedrine has been shown to cause weight loss by suppressing the appetite and boosting the metabolism. This chemical messenger is secreted by the adrenal glands and is involved in the Fight-or-Flight Response when danger is perceived.Įphedrine exhibits some of the same effects as epinephrine in the human body, but the two are distinct compounds. This compound is chemically similar to ephedrine and other amphetamines like cathinone and methcathinone, but they are not the same.Īlso do not confuse ephedrine with the neurotransmitter and neurohormone epinephrine (adrenaline). Note: Do not confuse ephedrine with a monoamine alkaloid found in the Catha edulis shrub called Ephedrone. Ephedra viridis (jointfir, Mormon tea or Brigham tea) lacks any ephedrine or pseudoephedrine alkaloids. Varieties of the plant native to the Western United States tend to have little to no ephedrine content in their stems.
Not all species of this plant contains ephedrine and other (E)-type alkaloids including pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, and methylephedrine. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), Ephedra Sinica is one of the most important herbs used to treat bronchial asthma, cold and flu, and nasal congestion. nevadensis.Įphedra plant extracts have long been used as medicinal agents in China, India, the Middle East and North America. Įphedra refers to a genus of approximately 65 species of shrubs that grow around the world, including E. Its chemical formula is C10H15NO.Įphedrine and the related chemical alkaloid Pseudoephedrine are believed to be responsible for most of the physiological effects of Ephedra.
While it remains a controlled substance in the United States, it is still legal to buy in some forms as an over-the-counter remedy for nasal congestion, chest tightness and wheezing.Įphedrine was first identified as the major active alkaloid in the Ephedra plant in 1885. However, this plant alkaloid was found to pose an unreasonably high risk of dangerous side effects.Įphedrine was banned as an ingredient in dietary supplements as of 2004. Prior to 2004, ephedra diet pills with ephedrine alkaloids were estimated to be used by over 12 million Americans to help them lose weight and boost energy levels. It is commonly stacked with caffeine and aspirin in an ECA stack, which have a synergistic effect. It raises resting energy metabolism by increasing thermogenic activity (heat expenditure) in the body.Įphedrine also exhibits an appetite-suppressing effect and influences fat storage and metabolism. It has a stimulatory effect on the human body and has been used both to promote weight loss and as a medicinal agent for the treatment of asthma and allergy symptoms.Įphedrine works by mimicking some of the effects of adrenaline (epinephrine) in the nervous system. Ephedrine is the primary active alkaloid found in the Ephedra Sinica or Chinese “Ma Huang” plant.
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