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| disease, or hypertension should avoid licorice, and it should not be used during pregnancy. |
| For regaining energy levels, I recommend doses of 1 to 2g of a licorice root product containing at least 4 percent glycyrrhizin three times daily for up to six weeks, then, over the course of two weeks, gradually reducing the dose, tapering off to nothing. Look for a standardized extract in the form of a liquid or capsules. |
| Ephedra |
| Ephedra (Ephedra sinica), commonly referred to by its Chinese name, ma huang, has received so much publicity recently that it's hard to read a newspaper or magazine without coming across the name. The herb consists of the green stems of several species of ephedra native to Central Asia. |
| Ma huang has been used in China for the treatment of bronchial asthma and related conditions for more than 5,000 years. The therapeutic value of ephedra is due to several closely related alkaloids, of which ephedrine is both the most active and the one present in the largest amount. North American species of ephedra, one of which is referred to as Mormon tea, contain no active alkaloids. Ephedrine was researched here in the United States during the 1920s and was a standard over-the-counter medication for many years. |
| Like all other medications, ephedra has both an upside and a downside. The alkaloid's vasoconstricting effect makes it a useful nasal decongestant, but it also raises blood pressure and increases heart rate. It is an effective bronchodilator, but it also stimulates the central nervous system (CNS), with side effects ranging from nervousness to insomnia. This stimulation is greatly increased by consumption of caffeine or caffeine beverages such as coffee, tea, or cola. |
| Consequently, ephedrine has been replaced to a large extent in OTC cold and cough products by related chemicals, such as pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine. These have a similar action but much reduced CNS effects. |
| In recent years, ephedra and caffeine combination products have been used as appetite suppressants, metabolic stimulants for weight loss, and athletic performance enhancers. There is |
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