Ephedra: Benefits, Uses & Dosage

Ephedra (Ephedra vulgaris), known in Sanskrit as Somalata due to its similarities to Soma as a strong nervous system stimulant, is a potent herb from the Gnetaceae family. In Chinese medicine it is known as Ma Huang. It has a pungent and astringent rasa, heating virya, and pungent vipaka. It strongly pacifies Kapha (K-) but aggravates both Pitta and Vata in excess. The branches are used, acting on plasma, muscle, marrow, and nerve tissues through the respiratory, nervous, circulatory, and urinary systems.

Ephedra is probably the strongest stimulant and diaphoretic herb available, with an action similar to adrenaline. It is a powerful bronchodilator and the source of ephedrine, one of the main medicines used for asthmatic attacks. It is one of the most powerful Kapha-reducing herbs, relieving cold, mucus, cough, and edema while promoting wakefulness and activity.

However, Ephedra carries significant precautions — it may cause heart spasms, overstimulate the adrenals, and burn out the nerves through its rajasic quality. It is contraindicated in hypertension, cardiac pain, palpitations, insomnia, and weak digestion. It should be used in low dosages (250 to 500 mg) unless one is certain it has no side effects. Adding licorice can reduce some of its side effects. It is indicated for colds, cough, dyspnea, wheezing, bronchitis, asthma, arthritis, dropsy, and facial edema.

• Ka-sahara: Alleviates cough
• Biomedical: Bronchodilator, expectorant, diaphoretic, circulatory stimulant, diuretic, antiallergenic

Contraindications: Heart weakness (especially tachycardia), hypertension, palpitations, hyperthyroid, glaucoma,; insomnia, benign prostatic hypertrophy, during pregnancy; Traditionally never used with; any vata disturbance or any heat; signs

Safety: Due to its ephedrine content it may interact with caffeine and MAO inhibitors, exacerbating effects and elevating blood pressure; beta-blockers by reducing drug efficacy due to opposing activity; ephedrine (Sudafed, etc.) by additive sympathomimetic effects inducing further toxicity and arrhythmia; and steroids (e.g. dexamethasone) by enhancing clearance levels and thus reducing effectiveness of the drug (Treasure 2000). Averse effects appear as dizziness, anxiety, palpitations, tachycardia, headache, insomnia and seizure (Low Dog 2002).

Dosage: For use by qualified practitioners only. Ephedra is very strong and subject to legal restrictions in the UK; the maximum dose is 1.8g per day (UK 1968 Medicines Act/Statutory Instrument 2130 1977) or 9ml per day of a 1:5 @ 25% tincture. Chapter 6 PLANT PROFILES

Combinations:

• Vasa, anthrapachaka, pippali in lung congestion and allergic reactions.
• Cinnamon, ginger to encourage sweating in jvara/fever of a cold nature.
• Gokshura, coriander as diuretics in oedema and water retention.
• Licorice to ameliorate its harsh dispersing nature.