But this needs to be qualified. Never mind why anyone would want to use an herbal extract since that would necessarily be throwing away some vital part of the herb. And never mind that what's thrown away does not contain the bulk of the pharmacologically active substances found in the original material. The herb in question in the case of Peter Schlendorf's death and the deaths of several other people is Ephedra Sinica , commonly known as Ma huang but also by the names Sida cordifolia, Mormon tea, teamster's tea, squaw tea, popotillo, and yellow horse. And ephedrine, in particular, has potent adrenalin-like effects.
Manufacturers typically claim that they receive no complaints of problems with their products.
Yet a lawsuit by the Texas Department of Health against the Alliance Company, makers of the Formula One product, turned up hundreds of complaints that accompanied product returns along with demands for payment of medical bills for emergency room services due to adverse effects. Authorities have collected nearly a thousand such accounts and suspect that many more have not been reported or may have gone unrecognized. Although the package labeling of these products is sometimes extensive, the medical conditions which contraindicate their use, including prostatic enlargement, congenital vascular defects, and heart disease are not easily self-diagnosed. Moreover, as in the case of Peter Schlendorf, even good health is no protection from serious adverse effects. Another reason that labeling is ineffective is that consumers tend to interpret product warnings as meaningless gestures on the part of manufacturers aimed at reducing the risk of lawsuits.