Benefits and Uses of the Herb Ma Huang/Ephedra
By Jacobus Hollewijn
Your Daily Health Pearl Minute # 7
Have you ever heard of the herb Ma Huang?
This herb has been safely used for over 5000 years to help those with respiratory problems and help stimulate endurance.
It was a God-send to many people who suffered from asthma, slow metabolism, and low energy.
Then, something happened in 2003.
STEVE BECHLER, a pitcher within the Baltimore Orioles Organization, collapsed during spring training in Florida in 81 degree heat. The cause of death was determined to be a supplement he was taking to both get in shape and lose weight. It contained Ephedra, also known as Ma Huang…
Was anything else affecting him, though? Was he stressed about becoming a starter? Was he upset in traffic? Did he have any other underlying health issues? To just blame this on ONE well-known and respected dietary ingredient is a pretty thin excuse…
Anyways, the FDA decided to take all Ephedra/Ma Huang-containing products of the market. Could they have avoided a ban by looking closer at the product manufacturer of Bechler’s product? Was any and all Ma Huang and its extract forms bad for health? Most-likely NOT!
Traditional Chinese Herbalists are still able to get the actual raw herb, which is then put in a blend for making a healing tea.
Will it ever become available again as a dietary supplement? I truly hope so!
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