A-Z herbal supplement Articles

With a long history of medicinal uses in Asia for asthma and bronchitis, ephedra has more recently received a lot of negative attention in the Western world for its use in weight loss and performance-enhancing supplements. With a lengthy list of potential side effects, its safety has come into question. The sale of ephedra-containing products has been banned in the US since 2004 and, while still legal, in Canada, it is sold only under strict legislative rules.

What is Ephedra?

Ephedra is a medicinal preparation of plant Ephedra sinica which grows in dry climates throughout the northern hemisphere.

In Asia, it is commonly known as mahuang. It is usually the branches and tops of the plant that are used to make medicines, but the root and the whole plant can also be used. The active ingredients are the alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. These constituents have stimulant and decongestant properties and are chemically related to amphetamine. Because of its stimulant action, ephedra has several potentially adverse side-effects which has raised safety concerns. For this reason, ephedra is now banned in the United States, and its sale is strictly controlled in Canada.

Key Health Benefits of Ephedra

For over five thousand years, this nutrient has been safely used in Traditional Chinese Medicine as a treatment for colds, flu, and fevers as well as other lung conditions such as allergies, bronchitis and asthma. Beginning in the 1980s, the use of ephedra became popular among athletes and bodybuilders as a way to improve athletic performance. At around the same time, ephedra began being touted as a weight loss supplement and as a treatment to help combat obesity especially when combined with other stimulants such as caffeine.

How Does Ephedra Work In Your Body?

The primary action of ephedra (and ephedrine) is as a central nervous system stimulant. It is more powerful than caffeine, but less potent than amphetamines. It mimics the sympathetic nervous system which is partially responsible for the innate `fight or flight` response. This stimulant action increases heart rate, constricts blood vessels which increases blood pressure, increases metabolic rate, and relaxes the smooth muscles of our respiratory tract which expands bronchioles and makes breathing easier. 

This stimulant action also suppresses appetite. Similarly, ephedra is classified as a thermogenic agent, meaning it increases body temperature, induces sweating, and increases energy expenditure by raising metabolism. These actions also account for the use of ephedra to enhance sports performance. The stimulant effects improve strength and endurance exercise, increase alertness and aggressiveness, and reduce fatigue.

Potential Side Effects

The stimulant action of ephedra causes several potentially harmful side effects such as skin reactions, irritability, nervousness, dizziness, trembling, headache, insomnia, dehydration, vomiting, hypothermia and more serious events such as irregular heartbeat, seizures, heart attack, stroke, and even death. A study performed by the National Institute of Health looked at over 16,000 reports of adverse effects of ephedra and found that at least 2 deaths, 9 strokes, 4 heart attacks, 1 seizure, and 5 psychiatric cases involved the direct use of the supplement even at the recommended safe doses.

Ephedra is classified as a performance-enhancing drug and is banned by many athletic associations such as the International Olympic Committee, the National Basketball Association, and the National Football League. Despite this, it is still widely used illegally among professional athletes, sometimes with deadly consequences.

Other Important Information

Ephedra is banned in the United States and despite multiple appeals by the supplement industry, it remains illegal to manufacture and sell any ephedrine-containing supplements.

In Canada, it is authorized only for use in decongestants. Products containing this nutrient are legal but come with very strict legislative restrictions regarding marketing and labelling.

Products with unproven claims regarding weight loss, bodybuilding, or athletic performance are not permitted and they cannot be combined with any other stimulants such as caffeine, green tea, or guarana. Dosage is strictly controlled; supplements cannot exceed 400mg/dose or 1600mg/day of ephedra or 8mg/dose or 32mg/day of ephedrine.

What is Ginkgo Biloba?

Ginkgo biloba is the oldest known tree species on earth with an estimated age of more than 200 million years. A ginkgo tree can live up to 1000 years. The medicinal seeds are found only in the inedible fruit of the female trees. Ginkgo is the most frequently prescribed medicinal herb in Europe. It makes sense that the oldest known tree is used for concerns that become more prevalent as we age.

Key Benefits & Uses of Ginkgo

Ginkgo is used to increase blood flow to the whole body but especially to the brain and extremities. The active components are flavone glycosides and potent antioxidant molecules. Free radicals are unstable molecules that in their bid to become more stable must bump into healthy cells and cause damage. Ginkgo’s antioxidant properties neutralize free radicals and therefore reduce damage to vessels all over the body, including those in the brain. It has anti-aging properties because as an antioxidant it protects the body against environmental pollutants and other substances that lead to aging.

Ginkgo increases circulation by making the blood flow freely, thus enhancing oxygen delivery and waste removal from cells. It may also improve the communication between brain and nerve cells. Ginkgo is used by natural health practitioners for a variety of conditions including senile dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, tinnitus (ringing in the ears), vertigo, impotence, cold hands and feet and intermittent claudication (poor circulation in the legs). Students have also used it as a memory enhancer.

Shopping For Quality Ginkgo Biloba Supplements

Ginkgo is commonly purchased as an encapsulated herb or tincture. Ginkgo products should be standardized as an assurance of the amount of active compounds they contain. Ginkgo can be found in combination products for memory, eye health, cardiovascular health and sexual functioning. These trees are widely cultivated for their leaves and seeds so there is no concern with the ecological impact of ginkgo use. Interestingly they are also planted in cities because they can tolerate the harsh urban environment.

Ginkgo contains components that have blood-thinning properties. Ginkgo biloba supplements should be used with caution by individuals with active bleeding, blood clotting disorders, high blood pressure and individuals on blood thinning medication, including aspirin, or anti-hypertensives. For the same reason, Ginkgo supplements should be discontinued before surgery or dental work. Ginkgo can alter the effectiveness of monoamine oxidase inhibitors, a type of anti-depressant.

Yohimbe is a traditional herbal remedy historically used in West African medicine. It has gained attention for its potential effects on circulation, energy, and sexual health.

The active compound in Yohimbe, known as yohimbine, has been studied for its ability to influence blood flow and stimulate certain receptors in the nervous system. Today, these supplements are often marketed for male vitality, exercise performance, and metabolic health.

What is Yohimbe?

Yohimbe comes from the bark of the Pausinystalia johimbe tree, which is native to Central and West Africa, particularly in countries like Cameroon, Nigeria, and Gabon. For generations, traditional healers have used the bark as a natural tonic to promote stamina and vitality. 

The primary active compound in the bark is yohimbine, an alkaloid that affects the nervous system by interacting with alpha-2 nervous system receptors. These receptors influence the release of neurotransmitters and play a role in circulation and metabolic activity.

Benefits of Yohimbe

Yohimbe has traditionally been used to improve sexual vitality in both men and women. However, it is now known more as a male sexual tonic and helps with erectile dysfunction. A pharmaceutical drug is produced from a part of the bark, yohimbine. It is used to treat erectile dysfunction.

Yohimbine is a central nervous stimulant that selectively blocks alpha-2 receptors. Erections must occur in a parasympathetic, or relaxed, nervous system state. By blocking alpha-2 receptors, the body maintains the proper state to allow erections to occur.

Alpha-2 receptors are located all over the body, including the heart, and account for the many side effects of yohimbe. Yohimbine blocks receptors that narrow vessels in the extremities, increasing blood flow to the genital area. Thus, this herb is an aphrodisiac in both males and females.

Shopping For Yohimbe

Yohimbe may be a restricted substance in some countries. When it is available, modern supplements are usually made by extracting the active compounds from the bark and concentrating them into capsules, tablets, or herbal formuals. Some supplements may contain standardized levels of yohimbine to ensure consistent potency. It can also be found in formulas for increasing libido and sexual performance.

Important Information

Pregnant and lactating women should not use yohimbe. Yohimbe is also contraindicated in people who suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, prostatitis, liver disease, kidney disease, depression and psychiatric disorders. Yohimbe interacts with many medications, including tricyclic antidepressants, MAO inhibitors, anti-hypertensives, alpha-2 blockers, naloxone and sympathetic nervous system stimulants. Due to yohimbe’s many contraindications, side effects and drug interactions, it is advisable to use this herb under medical supervision.