Ephedra Dangers
There are many ephedra dangers and that is why the Food and Drug Administration had it banned in the United States. There were over 1,000 reports of people suffering from serious illnesses and at least 17 deaths caused by the ephedra products since 1997. Ephedra was banned in the United States in 2003 but the ban was lifted in 2005 after some people filed a petition to get the ban lifted. It was with the understanding that no product would contain no more than 10 mg. Of ephedra. There continued to be deaths and serious side effects from the use of ephedra products so the FDA went back to court with the evidence and the ephedra was again banned in 2006. People who had taken as little as 8 mg. Of ephedra were having serious side effects like heart attacks and strokes. The Food and Drug Administration tested some of the products which had ephedra in the list of ingredients and some products contained more ephedra than was listed on the label and some contained less or no ephedra at all. The side effects that were reported are insomnia, irregular heart beat, rapid heart beat, nervousness, tremors, heart attack, stroke, seizures, high blood pressure, and death. It is very dangerous for you to use ephedra with aspirin or caffeine. Caffeine is also known as guarana extract, kola nut, or cocoa extract. Look closely at the labels of the products and make sure they do not contain the combination of ephedra with one or more of these. Aspirin comes from willow bark, salicytes, or salicylic acid. The results can be deadly or at the very least, life threatening.
There are other names used for ephedra and they are Mormon Tea, Squaw Tea, Herbal Ecstasy, Chinese Ephedra, Ma Huang, and Epitonin. Ephedra is a plant which grows in arid areas around the world and this explains its many names. It is a stimulating herb which grows in arid regions and it boosts your energy and stimulates thermogenesis. It was also used for asthma and for congestion in the bronchial tubes. The Chinese have used the ephedra for over 5,000 years as a medication for lung ailments. Athletes used ephedra as a performance enhancer. Most of the deaths, seizures, or strokes reported happened during or right after exercising. The FDA felt the need to get the ephedra banned because even the small amounts as small as 8 mg. Caused heart attacks and strokes. They had to think of the majority of the people and not just the few who filed a petition and had no side effects from the products which contained ephedra.
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