Ephedra, also known as Ma Huang, is a 5000 years old natural remedy. It grows mainly in Mongolia and the bordering regions of China and can be found on the tundra and on rocky and sandy slopes. It has been used in the Chinese medicine, and became a popular herbal dietary supplement in the United States in the last years. Most of all, ephedra is used as an energizer and for losing weight and gaining muscles.

The ephedra plant is a perennial evergreen that reaches a height of four feet. The plant is nearly leafless, and has cylindrical, slender yellow-green branches and under-runners. Some of the ephedra flowers bear poisonous, fleshy red cones resembling berries.

The main active ingredients in the plant ephedra are called ephedrine alkaloids. Ephedrine is only one of the naturally occuring alkaloids present in Ephedra, which is synthetized as "ephedrine hydrocloride" and used in drugs, designed to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system, and as an effective treatment for the symptoms of asthma, allergies, and sinus problems.

Ephedrine has also valuable antispasmodic properties. Because of ephedrine's stimulating effects, many believe that it contains caffeine. The truth is, the herb Ephedra by itself contains no caffeine at all.

Scientific studies confirm that Ephedra is a relatively safe remedy when used in the serving limits. The ephedrine alkaloids in Ephedra act as a mild stimulant and develop effects similar to those of caffeine. Ephedra has been used in Chinese medicine to treat symptoms of asthma and upper respiratory infections.

Ephedra and Weight Loss

A six-month study by researchers at Harvard and Columbia Universities on Ephedra concluded that it was safe and produced significant weight loss.

The weight loss is efficiently achieved when used in conjunction with a healthy diet. For dieters ephedra suppresses the appetite and stimulates the thyroid gland which stimulates metabolism. It is often combined with ingredients such as kola nut or guarana which contain caffeine. Especially this combination can lead to side effects and has prompted increased regulatory scrutiny and industry label warnings.

Thanks to burning of fat-cells, ephedra can also enhance energy. This property is important to the dieters, and made ephedra popular among athletes, because they can gain energy without draining their reserves.

Ephedra became one of the strongest herbal energizers at the moment and unlike many other drugs, it is active pretty long: for 6 to 10 hours. Bodybuilders benefit from supplementation of ephedra as well, since it also stimulates the biochemistry of muscles, while enhancing performance.

Ephedra Free Energy Formula