Tuesday, March 15, 2011

How long has ephedra been used in medicine?


Ephedra is an alkaloid derived from the plant, ephedra sinica. This plant alkaloid has been used by the Chinese as a herbal medicine for over 5000 years. Ephedra has traditionally been used to treat  a wide variety of disorders include asthma, hay fever, sinusitis , common cold,  and other viral illnesses. Others even use ephedra on a regular basis to diminish fatigue and generate energy. Today, ephedra is used by many cultures including Middle Easterners, Orientals, Asians and even North Americans. Some people eat the plant, other chew the leaves, there are pills of ephedra, and one can even drink it with a beverage.

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