Ephedra is known as a Chinese shrub though American ephedra exists. The pure ephedra alkaloid was first isolated in 1885. However, it wasn’t until the 1920’s that Americans started consuming. Americans used ephedra for asthma relief. The highest therapeutic asthma use culminated in the 1950s. Today ephedra plant supplements dominate the market.
More than 5,000 years ephedra has been used for health benefits. The Chinese ephedra shrub is called ma-huang. However, more ephedra plant species exist throughout Greece, India, and the United States. Ephedra offers central nervous system stimulation allowing fast passage through the blood brain barrier.
American Ephedra
The Native American people also used ephedra. The three types of American ephedra are antisyphilitica, californica, and nevadensis. However, ephedra nevadensis offered the most promise. Early Americans used ephedra to increase sexual arousal. In addition, the most common therapy contained fighting cough and respiratory issues. (1)
Many of the ephedra diet pills sold today contain ephedra nevadensis. More often labeled ephedra extract or ephedra leaves. It is important to check the supplement facts. Each ephedra plant supplement contains different health complexes.
Biological Source
The different ephedra plants contain alkaloids. However, the amount of alkaloids per bioloigcal source varies considerably. The Indian and Chinese specie of ephedra contain the alkaloid ephedrine. Ephedra products containing ephedrine alkaloids were the first commercial success.
Ephedra is dioecious. Meaning both male and female reproductive organs present. The female plant structures look like pine cones. However, the male plant resembles yellow tassel flowers.
Banned by the FDA
In 2004, the FDA banned dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids. They constituted these supplements as adulterated. The ban contains ephedra products that contain only the ephedrine alkaloids. Therefore, other ephedra species are legal. (2)
Plant Supplements
The legal ephedra diet pills are plant supplements. Most contain American ephedra species specially ephedra nevadensis. As stated earlier, common supplement fact ingredients ephedra extract and ephedra leaves are nevadensis. These supplements are not adulterated hence plant supplements.
Racer Ephedra sells only legal ephedra plant supplements. The ephedra products don’t contain ephedrine alkaloids as required by the FDA law. However, different ephedra species are used and important to check the Supplement Facts.
Popular Ephedra
Racer Ephedra has large ephedra diet pill selection. The top products are on sale at discount prices and free shipping. Green Stinger, Lipodrene, and Hellfire are three of the most popular ephedra plant supplements.
