Ma Huang (Herbae Ephedra): Setting the Record Straight
Submitted by Dr Al-Salihi on
This paper entitled "Ma Huang (Herbae Ephedra): Setting the Record Straight" appeared in the Journal of Chinese Medicine, February 2016 issue. The article presents the Western biochemistry of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine (the pharmacologically active ingredients in Ephedra), and the Chinese medicine application of the whole herb, Ephedra. The paper reviews the proper uses of the Chinese herb in anti-asthmatic formulas, and the improper applications of the herb in combination with caffeine for weight loss.