Ma Huang | Ephedrine - Medical Science, Political Hype!

Ma Huang History

Ma Huang is known as one of the world's oldest medicines. Ma Huang (also known as Ephedra herb) is a member of the family of herbs known as the Ephedraceae. It has been used in China for more than 5,000 years to treat symptoms of asthma and upper respiratory infections. Related varieties of the herb are also grown in India, Europe, Australia, and Afghanistan. American ephedra, native to the dry southwest, was used as a tea by the area's native people and introduced to early American settlers, who called it "Mormon Tea." It has also been used in the treatment of headaches, fevers, colds, and hay fever. Today, compounds derived from this herb are commonly found in many over-the-counter (OTC) cold and allergy medications. Ma Huang is also found in some weight loss and energy products. For dieters, it suppresses the appetite and stimulates metabolism through a process known as thermogenesis. Recently, Ma Huang has been the subject of scientific research for obesity because of this thermogenic fat-burning effect.
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The Current Situation

Congress enacted the Dietary Supplement Health & Education Act (DSHEA) to protect consumers and prevent the arbitrary regulation of herbal dietary supplements. DSHEA provides that herbal supplements may be restricted only when a product poses an imminent hazard to the public health when consumed at its labeled servings. Nevertheless, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and several states are now considering violating DSHEA, by taking severe regulatory action that would remove ephedra herb dietary supplements from the market, or so restrict their content and labeling as to effectively preclude their use. These drastic actions purposefully ignore the wide body of scientific literature, several dozen clinical trials in humans, extensive animal studies, and recent reviews by expert toxicologists, all showing that ephedra herb products are safe when used as directed. Indeed, while the FDA is considering limiting these products to less than 10 mg per serving four times a day, the FDA's own drug regulations provide for safe use of ephedrine at 25 mg six times a day, and there are no indications of injuries from that dose. Medical science says ephedra herb products are safe and effective when used as directed in helping you lose weight and increase your energy level. But FDA politics may deprive you of your right to distribute, purchase and use safe ephedra herb dietary supplements. Let the FDA and your elected officials know that you value your rights and oppose arbitrary restrictions on the sale and purchase of ephedra herb products. You can write the FDA at:

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Ma Huang...

Medical Science or Political Hype?

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Drugs vs. Nature

While the above table demonstrates the safety of the drug ephedrine, it should be noted that many scientists and herbalists argue that use of the herb in whole plant form (Ma Huang) is even safer than the refined derivative (pure ephedrine & psuedoephedrine). In fact, studies show that the whole herb Ma Huang has a very low toxicity and little potential for side effects (Tang & Eisenbrand, 1992), and animal studies have failed to demonstrate carcinogenic or mutagenic potential for ephedrine. Further, ephedrine is rapidly eliminated from the human body -- 88% of an oral dose is excreted in the urine within 24 hours, 97% after 48 hours (Hobbs, 1996). In Herbal Medicine for Everyone, British herbalist Michael McIntyre writes that while pure ephedrine may raise blood pressure, the "whole (ephedra) plant actually reduces blood pressure." German medical herbalist Rudolph Fritz Weiss, M.D., maintains that the whole plant "has certain advantages (over psuedoephedrine). Above all, it is better tolerated, causing fewer...symptoms." Finally, practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) would regularly prescribe Ma Huang with other tonic herbs to improve safe consumption. This theory is maintained by TSN Labs, Inc. Our product, Thin & Slim Naturally, was formulated by Mr. Steve Lee, a native of Taiwan. He is a graduate of Duquesne University of Pharmacy in Pennsylvania, with a Masters Degree in Industrial Pharmaceutics. Steve Lee's professional experience in pharmaceutical chemistry has been extensive and diverse, including Laboratory Manager at the U.S. National Institute of Health. He has been instrumental in the formulation of a wide variety of health and nutritional products for as many as eight different companies. Mr. Lee has served on the FDA Advisory Committee for Herbal Medicines. Steve Lee brings to TSN Labs, Inc., a thorough understanding of pharmaceuticals and western medical practices, as well as a deep background in herbal medicines, whose safety and effectiveness have been proven in China and the rest of Asia for more than 5000 years. It is through this diverse knowledge of both the Oriental and Occidental worlds, that Mr. Lee has been able to formulate one of the safest and most effective natural dietary supplements on the market today. That product is Thin & Slim Naturally.
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