The knowledge about ephedrine involving its risks and benefits fall short in society. When you hear the word ephedrine you think of the magical herb in dietary pills that helps people loss weight. Because Health and fitness have become such a demand in society many people turn to dietary supplements without any knowledge of its effects on the body.
             What is ephedrine? Ephedrine is derived from Ephedra sincia. "Ephedra sinica has been used medicinally in China for about 5000 years. The stems were sun-dried and generally used in a tea to treat colds, asthma, allergic rhinitis, bronchitis, hypotension and hives. Ephedrine was usually put into tea as the usual form of treatment." (www.killerplants.com)
             In the past 50 years ephedrine has been used in America for legitimate medical purposes. Pseudo ephedrine which is contained in ephedrine is used in over-the-counter drugs for treating colds and other breathing disorders. In the past 10 years ephedrine has evolved into the top-selling herb in dietary supplements. This herb has brought some controversy along with its popularity.
             Ephedrine can have many benefits such as helping with weight loss, suppressing appetite, increase metabolic rate, increasing thermogenesis and enhancing energy. These benefits become more effective when ephedrine is combined with caffeine and aspirin. This combination reacts with the body in many ways for these things to happen. "Ephedrine, the active compound in ephedra, stimulates the sympathetic nervous system and the release of epinephrine and norepinephrine. Epinephrine, norepinephrine, and ephedrine all stimulate certain receptors on fat cells (adipocytes), leading to a series of reactions that ultimately result in the breakdown of fat within the fat cells." (www.ringside.com) "Several studies have reported an increase in the metabolic rate in human subjects in response to ephedrine treatment. This increase in metabolic rat...