Often, Ma Huang and Ephedrine are considered the same, but that’s not entirely accurate. The herb called Ma Huang is the Chinese name for the Ephedra plant, which contains the natural form of ephedrine. In Chinese medicine, ephedra was mainly used for colds, asthma, and hay fever. Later on, ephedra was used in the sports and fitness industry as a weight loss product and fat burner. In this article, we’ll delve deeper into the application and function of the Ma Huang plant and Ephedra, and of course, the ban.
The Function of Ephedra / Ma Huang
The ephedra plant belongs to the Ephedraceae plant family and is a genus of the sea grape. It is a shrub-like plant mainly found in China, but also in the Mediterranean region and in South-West and North America. The most well-known species of the ephedra family is Ephedra sinica, also known as Ma Huang. Besides Ephedra sinica, there are also Ephedra intermedia and Ephedra equisetina within the genus. The application of these dried plants has primarily been therapeutic until the active ingredient ephedrine was extracted from the plant and incorporated into dietary supplements such as weight loss pills and fat burners.
Ephedrine from the Ephedra Plant
The active ingredient ephedrine was extracted from the Ma Huang plant and used in various dietary supplements due to its positive effects on the nervous system. Ephedrine from the ephedra plant stimulates the nervous system by releasing noradrenaline, which triggers the sympathetic nervous system to increase fat burning, heart rate, and blood pressure in the body. Normally, the sympathetic nervous system is activated in situations that are dangerous or extremely tense. In such dangerous situations, the body needs to be ready to react quickly, and its metabolism and appetite become less important and less prioritized.
In addition to increasing fat burning, ephedrine also enhances alertness and activity levels. Often, users feel alert and awake after use. A side effect of ephedrine includes restlessness, trembling hands, and palpitations. Unlike amphetamines or speed, the release of dopamine is much less with the use of ephedrine, resulting in less presence of the feeling of ‘happiness’.
Ephedrine works for quite a long time and remains in the body for a while after use. Its half-life, the time it takes for half of it to be cleared from the blood, is 5 to 8 hours. This is comparable to caffeine, which has a half-life of 6 hours in the body. Ephedrine is no longer detectable in the body after 24 hours.
The qualitative differences between Ephedra plants mainly lie in the amount of ephedra they contain. For example, the American variant contains less ephedrine than the Asian species.
Ephedrine and Amphetamine
We just mentioned amphetamine. The effects of both substances are largely similar, partly due to the origin and history of ephedrine. After the discovery of the Ma Huang plant in 1920, ephedra was often used for asthma. The ephedrine from the Ephedra plant had significant similarities to adrenaline, and because it could be taken orally rather than injected, it became a popular medicine. The problem was that the ephedra plant was difficult to find and did not grow everywhere. Therefore, alternatives were sought, leading to the discovery of the chemical, isolated substance: amphetamine. Amphetamine was first discovered in 1887, but it wasn’t until later, in 1927, that it was found to provide the same relief for asthma and bronchitis. From then on, it was prescribed as a medicine administered via inhalers. Shortly after the application of amphetamine in inhalers, it was discovered that amphetamine had other effects as well.
During World War II, both German and Allied soldiers used amphetamine to support them in combat situations, enabling them to stay awake and alert for longer periods.
Amphetamine and ephedrine have similar effects and both provide relief for bronchitis and asthma. Both were and are still used as medicine. Amphetamine is still used in inhalers under the name benzedrine. Much later, amphetamine became known as a party drug and is found in much higher doses than those in inhalers.
Quality of Ephedrine
Ephedrine was incorporated into many products. There were quite large differences in quality as the percentage of the active ingredient and the amount of extract per product could vary. If a product contains 100 mg Ma Huang from a 5% extract, it could be considered as equally strong as a product containing 50mg Ma Huang from a 10% extract. Ma Huang is a natural product, so the ultimate effect may vary depending on the quantity and extract.
Ephedra Banned in the Netherlands
Due to the positive effects of ephedra on athletic performance and weight loss, it was used in many dietary supplements. Until 2004. The FDA decided to ban its sale after various reports of ephedra side effects. As a result, in February 2004, ephedra was also banned in the Netherlands by Minister Hoogervorst of Health. In the Netherlands, ephedra is still used but only and exclusively as a medicine. And now, this ban is active throughout the EU, and ephedra is no longer used as an ingredient in dietary supplements.
Taste of Ephedra Pills
The taste of ephedra is very bitter. The herb was often combined with other ingredients in ephedra pills and capsules to reduce the bitter taste. Ephedra was often combined with caffeine in ephedra pills because ephedra and caffeine work synergistically, enhancing each other’s effects.
For a long time, the use of ephedra was considered a safe remedy. After all, in ancient China, the herb was used as medicine in the form of tea. People would use the roughly ground stems of the plant, which contained approximately 1% ephedrine, dosing between 1 to 5 grams per day in the tea.
Ephedra Side Effects
When ephedra began to be used as a party drug that you could buy in any smartshop with various amounts and combinations of other stimulating substances, reports of side effects emerged. Side effects such as nervousness, insomnia, dry mouth, and palpitations were then revealed. These are also the side effects experienced with the use of amphetamine, speed.
Using Ephedra
The medical application of ephedra still takes place today. Nowadays, ephedra extract from the Ma Huang plant is used for:
- Bronchitis
- Asthma
- Obstruction of the airways
- Nasal congestion
- Runny nose
- Congestion
- Weight loss
- Obesity
Safe Use of Ephedra
Ephedra can still be prescribed by a doctor. Note that there may be contraindications and other side effects. Additionally, prolonged use of ephedrine is very dangerous as it can have addictive effects. If you want to use ephedrine safely as a medicine, do not use more than 2 cups of tea per day to combat asthma.
