You've read the article . Now tell us what you think. Courtesy of The Ephedra Site Concerned about evidence linking the natural stimulant ephedra with health problems including fatal heart attacks and strokes, state lawmakers are trying to regulate its sale in California. A proposed law would require manufacturers to post warning labels on herbal products containing ephedrine, the active ingredient of ephedra, and would establish an 800 number to track adverse reactions through the California Department of Health Services.
Ephedrine can be valuable, but it also can be quite deadly if used incorrectly.
Powerful stimulant A chemical cousin of methamphetamine, ephedra is an ancient Chinese herb that can act as a powerful stimulant, particularly when combined with caffeine-rich herbal ingredients, such as guarana. These products are widely available at health food stores and supermarkets and over the Internet under such brand names as Easy Trim, Diet Max, Metabolife, Ripped Fuel, and Quick Shot. That number understates the problem, experts say, since reporting medical emergencies linked to dietary supplements is voluntary, and the FDA recently stopped updating its reporting system due to budget constraints. I think it s pretty clear we have a serious problem. Drug classification Several medical experts who also testified at the February hearing expressed concern about the side effects of ephedrine, which range from nervousness, irritability, and hypertension to heart attacks and strokes.