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Ma huang is a Chinese herb that has received a lot of press lately. It is NOT an ingredient in any of OHCO’s formulas. The herb requires discussion because its misuse has raised many questions and the implications go beyond health into political and economic considerations. A closer look at ma huang is a good way to understand more about what is being offered in the retail setting in the herbal product category. Also known as ephedra or, in its extracted pharmaceutical state, ephedrine, ma huang can be abused to achieve an amphetamine-like high. Certain products available in the marketplace are promoted as euphoria inducing and carry names like Herbal Ecstasy, Ultimate Xphoria, Cloud 9, Hextasy, and Legal Weed. They have been banned in several states, voluntarily removed in others, and federal legislation is under consideration. Ma huang has also been touted as a natural alternative for weight control and a substitute for the recalled prescription drug combination commonly know as fen-phen. The FDA has just concluded its comment time on this herb and will soon issue regulations concerning its use. Does this mean ma huang is a "horrible drug?" Misuse of an herb is a different issue from alluring, youth-trapping labeling. The marketplace is rampant with products that become dangerous if misused. A bottle of aspirin taken all at one time could cause hemorrhaging. Prescription drugs like Valium are abused. This certainly doesn't mean that these should be withdrawn from sale to the public. Products like Primatene Mist and Sudafed which also contain ephedrine are not banned in part because they contain warnings about possible side effects. Chinese herbs are not meant to be taken singly, but rather in proper amounts in balanced combinations. With responsible use, ma huang can have a proper and beneficial role in a formula. In Oriental medical language, it is used to release the exterior and disperse cold, facilitate the circulation of lung qi, and promote urination and reduce edema. Beneficial for certain types of headaches, nasal congestion, and water retention, it might seem a natural addition to Cold Snap. There are, however, better, safer ways to accomplish decongestion. These are utilized in our formula. "Wei qi" deals with surface protection. Wind invasions, whether Hot or Cold, usually first appear in this surface layer. In a healthy individual, they do not penetrate deeper than this superficial layer. If the invasion remains Wind Cold for any amount of time, ma huang is appropriate for these rather narrow and potentially rare parameters. Much more problematic are the diseases that get beyond the surface defenses and become guests at various levels. These deeper invasions tend to transform into a pathogenic Heat or Fire. This happens with most Unwanted Guests that come our way. As a result, ma huang becomes less useful and is not included in Cold Snap. Chinese medicine is at its best when it works at a deep level to restore and nourish the system. Cold Snap can accomplish this without the addition of the controversial herb, ma huang. |
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