Ephedra, a medicinal ingredient that is derived from plant Ephedra sinica. Used in traditional Chinese therapies to cure conditions like hay fever, asthma and common cold for last 4000 years, this drug is famous for blood vessles constriction and elevated heart rate and blood pressure.
This herb is also a cure for bronchitis, difficulty in breathing, joint symptoms, inability to perspire, pain and swelling of bones. Noting its benefits, the herb is being used by Indian, German and Japanese folk medicine practitioners. The benefits of these pills have been recognized by the World Health Organization too. However, just as every good has a bad, side effects of ephedra weight loss have been observed by various medicine practitioners across the globe.
Mechanics of Ephedra
Ephedra consists of ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, which are plant alkaloids. These alkaloids penetrate a wall which protects the brain from harmful chemicals in the blood. These alkaloids act as a sympathetic nervous system by reacting with other neurotransmitter receptors. This gives an impetus to the release of neurotransmitter norepinephrine and energizes alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors. This opens the airways in the lungs, which brings about normal heart rate. But using this herb in the wrong way or with certain other drugs can lead to severe ephedra side effects.
Side Effects of Ephedra
Ephedra’s claim to fame is its ability to bring about weight loss. Although it is a safe herb for weight loss, it can, nonetheless have certain ephedra adverse effects. If ephedra is consumed above safety limit or the prescribed limit, it can lead to anxiety, headaches, restlessness, high blood pressure and insomnia. Since this herb is an amphetamine, that is an appetite suppressant, it can be very addictive.
Ephedra diet pills side effects are that it can result in massive addiction and difficult withdrawal symptoms. Cold sweats, mood swings, rapid heart palpitations and binge eating are some of ephedra side effects observed by many researchers. Needless to say, a binge eating trip is the surest way of putting on the lost weight. An excessive use of ephedra, has shown over stimulation of nervous system, uncontrollable high blood pressure and unwanted heart palpitations.
Due to its amphetamine properties, this herb has been extensively used in making illicit street drugs. This got the herb caught up in a heated controversy between U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the herb industry in 1900s. A strong evidence has shown that glaucoma, hyperthyroidism, and diabetes are also ephedra side effects.
Warning
Since this drug is a stimulant, it must not be consumed with other stimulants. Thus refrain having this drug with caffeine and other dietary supplements. If you are taking any body building supplements, consult a doctor before taking ephedra. In case of overdose, ephedra can prove to be fatal.
The side effects include anxiety, dizziness, headache, nausea, loss of appetite, or trouble while sleeping, chest pain, unusually fast or irregular heartbeat, vomiting, tremor/shakiness, sweating, severe weight loss, difficult or painful urination or stomach pain consult a doctor immediately. These diet pills can also lead to fever, trouble breathing, weakness, confusion, vision problems and slurred speech.
Though ephedra has a long, tried and tested history as traditional medicine, it is equally unsafe if consumed without consultation. Thus, if you are using this herb for weight loss or for any other purpose, do take a trusted opinion of a professional and then proceed. I hope these ephedra side effects have elucidated the horrors the ingestion of the medication may result in if taken without proper prescription.
