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Ma Huang

This is the herb of the ephedra plant(e.g. Ephedra sinica), also known as Mormon tea, sea dew or in its old Chinese name as Ma-Huang. This is the dried, young horsetail-like twigs of one of the ephedra plants collected in the fall, which are poured over with hot water and drunk as tea. Ephedra is also commercially available in capsule form (plant-based) or in mixtures with other herbal substances (e.g. guarana, caffeine, magnesium, minerals and vitamins). The plants of the ephedra species grow predominantly in dry and often very hot regions (North China, Southwest America, Mediterranean region, etc.) and are among the oldest known psychoactive medicinal plants in the world. The main component of this plant is the alkaloid ephedrine. It also contains slightly modified substances such as pseudoephedrine, norephedrine and others, as well as some tannins. The total alkaloid content varies between 0.5 and 3.5% (depending on the type of ephedra and the "harvest time", this can also be higher). In addition to natural ephedrine, there is also synthetically produced ephedrine hydrochloride. This is used in many medicinal combination preparations for coughs and asthma. Ephedrine also has an appetite-suppressing and fat-burning effect, which is why it is an ingredient in many slimming products and body-building supplements.

Effect

Many people compare it to speed or ecstasy, although not as strong. Ephedrine has similarities with the body's own hormone adrenaline and is chemically closely related to the amphetamine group, which means it has a similar effect on the body.

Note: Ephedrine consumption can cause a positive drug test (amphetamine). Ephedrine is listed in the doping list under stimulants. In doping-tested competitions, ephedrine should not be used in the last three days before the event. For ephedrine and the definition of a positive sample is more than 10 micrograms/ml in urine.

Onset of effect: when drunk as a tea after approx. 30-60 min, when taken as a capsule after approx. 20-40 min, can last up to 8 h and rarely longer.

Ephedrine can stimulate the circulation, increase drive and performance, inhibit appetite, but also have a relaxing and, in some people, slightly sexually stimulating effect. It increases the urge to move, attention and the need to communicate.

Short-term side effects

Even at low doses, palpitations, restlessness, sleep problems, dry mouth and pupil dilation can occur. The higher the dose, the more palpitations, heart rhythm disturbances and increased blood pressure, loss of appetite, insomnia, heavy sweating, nervousness and trembling, and in the case of overdoses even confusion and paranoia can occur.

Long-term side effects

Frequent ephedra or ephedrine use can lead to habituation or tolerance development, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. At the same time, feelings of permanent fatigue and depression, sleep disorders (a so-called stimulant hangover) can occur. Possible long-term consequences also include: impaired memory and concentration, irritability, nervousness, aggressive behavior, cardiac arrhythmia, chronic high blood pressure, bad teeth, liver and kidney damage and mental disorders (paranoia, psychosis, etc.) Prolonged intensive use can lead to psychological dependence.

Interaction

Ephedrine + caffeine: increases the side effects

Ephedrine + alcohol: as ephedrine has a strong performance-enhancing effect, the effect of alcohol is no longer perceived, you may still feel sober but already have 2 per mille in your blood, high strain on the liver and kidneys, severe dehydration. If MAO inhibitors are taken at the same time, the effect is uncontrollably prolonged and intensified, which means a very heavy circulatory burden. MAO inhibitors are e.g: Ecstasy, amphetamines (speed), methamphetamines (crystal), cocaine and some drugs (e.g. antidepressants).

Ephedrine + hallucinogens: possible intensification of a "bad trip"

Use

To avoid overdoses, always start with low doses (it is still possible to increase the dose!), as the active ingredient content can vary greatly, especially with herbs!

To reduce the risk of long-term damage, take breaks from consumption. People with circulatory problems and diseases (e.g. high blood pressure, circulatory disorders, heart disease), thyroid disorders, liver or kidney damage should not consume Herba Ephedra and ephedrine!

Need in sport

It acts as a sympathomimetic, i.e. it stimulates the release of adrenaline and noradrenaline in the body, increases thermogenesis and has an anorectic effect (appetite suppressant). The increased release of adrenelin and noradrenelin leads to increased fat burning and stimulation of the central nervous system with reduced fatigue and increased alertness. These effects explain the widespread use of ephedrine among strength athletes to increase training motivation and to support diets. Athletes in particular who want to train in the evening after a long day at work appreciate the stimulatory effects of ephedrine. For example, about 30 minutes after taking it, training aversion and tiredness disappear. Many also experience an increase in strength of 5-10% during training, especially in the heavy basic exercises. With a bench press capacity of 100 kg, this means around 5-10 kg more weight just by taking a single tablet. Another common use of ephedrine in bodybuilding is to support a diet. It promotes thermogenesis in the body by stimulating the beta receptors. The effect of ephedrine on fat burning lasts much longer than that of clenbuterol. It may even increase with increased use. In fact, fat-burning effects have been demonstrated for up to 20 weeks when ephedrine is administered. However, this only applies to fat burning. The stimulatory effects of the substance decrease with increasing use. Ephedrine also has anabolic effects during a diet. For example, a calorie-reduced diet results in a lower loss of muscle mass when ephedrine is used.

Dosage

My recommendation is to take 10-30mg 30-60 minutes before training to increase motivation. To promote fat burning, most athletes take the combination of 20mg ephedrine and 200mg caffeine, sometimes with the addition of 100-300mg aspirin (or White Willow Bark), half an hour before a meal. It is advisable to take the combination only once in the morning at first and, over the course of 1-2 weeks, when the body has become accustomed to the stimulant effect, to add a second intake at midday and finally a third in the early evening. However, as with all dietary supplements, calorie intake should be reduced in order to achieve noticeable fat loss. Some athletes also report an increased ephedrine effect if the amino acid L-tyrosine is taken at the same time in doses of 1g, 2-3 hours after the last meal. The ratio of ephedrine to caffeine should be 1:10, i.e. 20mg ephedrine and 200mg caffeine. To be on the safe side, the dose of the combination should be reduced as slowly as it was increased at the beginning. It is advisable to reduce the dose >>gradually<< to zero over a period of two weeks. This also serves to counteract a possible >>rebound effect<< with the loss of appetite suppression. In fact, many ephedrine users report an almost insatiable craving for food for a few days after suddenly stopping the substance. Ma-Huang is also occasionally offered as a herbal alternative to synthetic ephedrine. It should be noted that with a standardization of 6-8%, 250-300mg Ma-Huang extract corresponds to about 20mg ephedrine.

Overdose

Report from an athlete:

I have already severely overdosed myself 1 time, 4 capsules of 850mg Ephedra Sinica Extract (Ma-Huang) at once. At this dosage, I experienced enormous high blood pressure, which made it impossible for me to walk more than 10 steps, as all feeling disappeared from my body within a very short time when standing upright and walking, apart from my hips. This dose was definitely life-threatening and I should have sought medical help immediately. I would advise anyone to whom this happens to do so.

References

  1. Astrup A, Buemann B, Christensen NJ, Toubro S (1992) The effect of ephedrine/caffeine mixture on energy expenditure and body composition in obese women. Metabolism 41: 686-688
  2. Arndt K. (HG.) (2001) Handbuch Nahrungsergänzungen-Bedeutung und Anwendung leistungssteigernder Substanzen für Bodybuilding und Kraftsport. Pages: 76-82
  3. (OV, 1988) Cardiomyopathy occurred after ephedrine abuse.
  4. (OV, 1988) Ephedrine in medicinal plants. In:Trainers Digest, Performance Sports 3/88