Chinese Herbal Medicine Database

Common cold of the wind-cold syndrome marked by chill and mild fever, headache, stuffy and running nose, general aching, absence of sweating; edema in acute nephritis; bronchial asthma

Research Findings

• Ephedra combined with a low-calorie diet was effective in reducing body mass index.[1]
• Ingestion of ephedra tilts the sympathovagal balance dose-dependently toward increased sympathetic activity and impairs parasympathetic activity.[2]
• Ingestion of ephedra dry extract acutely and chronically affects autonomic nervous activity by tilting the sympathovagal balance toward increased sympathetic activity.[3]
• Consumption of 2 doses of ephedra and guarana supplements, per supplement label recommendations, results in persistent increases in heart rate and blood pressure and unfavorable actions on glucose and potassium homeostasis. [4]
• A dietary supplement containing a low potency ephedra/caffeine mixture appeared safe and effective in causing loss of weight and body fat, and improving several metabolic parameters. [5]

Contraindicated in a patient with spontaneous sweating, night sweats due to Yin deficiency, or cough and asthma. This herb is quite potent in inducing sweating

Adverse central nervous system events and adverse cardiovascular events [6, 7], increased risk of heart palpitations, psychiatric, autonomic and gastrointestinal adverse events [8], combination of Ma Huang or ephedrine with caffeine enhanced their cardiotoxicity [9], hypertension [6]

In large doses Herba Ephedrae products can cause nervousness, headaches, insomnia, dizziness, palpitations, skin flushing and tingling, and vomiting. Continued prolonged use of oral preparations may cause dependency [10]

Continued, prolonged use (3 days) of topical preparations containing Herba Ephedrae, for the treatment of nasal congestion, may cause rebound congestion and chronic rhinitis [11]

Reference

1. Kim HJ, Park JM, Kim JA, Ko BP. (2008). Effect of herbal Ephedra sinica and Evodia rutaecarpa on body composition and resting metabolic rate: a randomized, double-blind clinical trial in Korean premenopausal women. J Acupunct Meridian Stud. , 1(2):128-38. doi: 10.1016/S2005-2901(09)60033-9.
2. Chen WL, Tsai TH, Yang CC, Kuo TB. (2010). Acute effects of ephedra on autonomic nervous modulation in healthy young adults. Clin Pharmacol Ther. , 88(1):39-44. doi: 10.1038/clpt.2010.66. Epub 2010 Jun 2.
3. Chen WL, Tsai TH, Yang CC, Kuo TB. (2010). Effects of ephedra on autonomic nervous modulation in healthy young adults. J Ethnopharmacol. , 130(3):563-8. doi: 10.1016/j.jep.2010.05.056. Epub 2010 Jun 1.
4. Haller CA, Jacob P, Benowitz NL. (2005 ). Short-term metabolic and hemodynamic effects of ephedra and guarana combinations. Clin Pharmacol Ther. , 77(6):560-71.
5. Hackman RM, Havel PJ, Schwartz HJ, Rutledge JC, Watnik MR, Noceti EM, Stohs SJ, Stern JS, Keen CL. (2006). Multinutrient supplement containing ephedra and caffeine causes weight loss and improves metabolic risk factors in obese women: a randomized controlled trial. Int J Obes (Lond). , 30(10):1545-56. Epub 2006 Mar 21.
6. Haller CA, Benowitz NL (2001) Adverse cardiovascular and central nervous system events associated with dietary supplements containing ephedra alkaloids. ACC Current Journal Review, 10, 3, 25-26.
7. Morgenstern LB, Viscoli CM, Kernan WN, Brass LM, Broderick JP, Feldmann E, Wilterdink JL, Brott T, Horwitz RI (2003) Use of Ephedra- containing products and risk for hemorrhagic stroke. Neurology, 60, 1, 132-135.
8. Shekelle PG, Hardy ML, Morton SC, Maglione M, Mojica WA, Suttorp MJ, Rhodes SL, Jungvig L, Gagné J. Efficacy and safety of ephedra and ephedrine for weight loss and athletic performance. JAMA 2003; 289: 1537–1545.
9. Dunnick JK, Kissling G, Gerken DK, Vallant MA, Nyska A (2007) Cardiotoxicity of Ma Huang/ caffeine or ephedrine/ caffeine in a rodent model system. Toxicol.Pathol., 35, 5, 657-664.
10. German Commission E Monograph, Ephedrae herba. Bundesanzeiger, 1991, 11:17 January.
11. Handbook of non-prescription drugs, 8th ed. Washington, DC, American Pharmaceutical Association, 1986
12. Pittler MH, Schmidt K, Ernst E (2005) Adverse events of herbal food supplements for body weight reduction: systematic review. OBESITY REVIEWS, 6, 2, 93-111.
13. Anonymous (2001) Dietary supplements research highlights. The Lancet, 358, 9293, 1655-1655.
14. Haller CA (2006) Clinical approach to adverse events and interactions related to herbal and dietary supplements, 44, 5, 605-610.
15. Kim H-, Park J-, Kim J-, Ko B- (2008) Effect of herbal Ephedra sinica and Evodia rutaecarpa on body composition and resting metabolic rate: A randomized, double-blind clinical trial in Korean premenopausal women. JAMS Journal of Acupuncture and Meridian S
16. Pipe A (2004) Efficacy and safety of ephedra and ephedrine for weight loss and athletic performance. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine, 14, 3, 188-189.