Ma Huang

Dietary supplements as well as all herbal supplements currently have no GMP regulations, nor FDA regulations. If taking prescription drugs check with your doctor before taking ephedra. It has an energizing effect hence its usefulness in dieting. nchodialation, relieving symptoms of nasal congestion (Tyler, Brady, & Roberts, 1988).

· The maximum safe dosage of ephedra is 100 mg of ephedra alkaloids, or ephedrine, per day. Some evidence also suggest, that caffeine mixed with the methylephedrine alkaloid produces effects similar to those of methamphetamine.

· Ephedra should not be used during pregnancy or lactation or by individuals with high blood pressure or those suffering from blood sugar, thyroid, or prostate problems or with glaucoma. From personal experience, I feel that it is very important to set strict regulations on the consistency of the ephedrine content in all the products, however I do not agree with the negativity of the herb's public relations problems that have risen. Ephedra alkaloid content is dependent on the ephedra formulation. Reputable manufacturers of ephedra place warning labels on the products, however in some cases the warnings are absent or ignored (Gurley, Wang, & Gardner, 1998). As with any drug, there will most always be side effects and if abused, those effects can be harmful or even deadly. These include heart attacks, strokes, seizure, psychosis, decreased appetite, hepatitis, kidney stones, insomnia, stomach ulcers, uterine contractions, and 44 deaths have been linked to ephedrine-based products (Josefon, 1996). As well as the new definition, other reforms dealing with supplement labeling issues, claims of nutritional support, and a limitation on the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) role in regulating dietary supplements in regard to product safety (King, 1997). Caffeine itself, when combined with ephedra, will increase the toxicity of the alkaloids, thus the potential for elevated blood pressure and heart palpitations also greatly increases.