Ephedra |
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Ephedra is a genus of gymnosperm shrubs, the only genus in the family Ephedraceae and order Ephedrales. These plants occur in dry climates over a wide area mainly in the Northern Hemisphere, across southern Europe, north Africa, southwest and central Asia, southwestern North America, and, in the Southern Hemisphere, in South America south to Patagonia. They are also called Joint-pine, Jointfir, or Mormon-tea. The Chinese name is 麻黄, ma huang, which means "yellow hemp". Ephedra is also sometimes called sea grape (from the French raisin de mer), although that is also a common name for Coccoloba uvifera.
The following list of species is from the Gymnosperm Database page for Ephedra.
These plants have traditionally been used by indigenous people for a variety of medicinal purposes, and are a likely candidate for the Soma plant of Indo-Iranian religion. The alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are the active constituents of the plant. Some species in the Ephedra genus have zero alkaloid content and are therefore essentially inert, however the most commonly used species, E. sinica, has a total alkaloid content of 1-3% by dry weight. Ephedrine constitues 40-90% of the alkaloid content, with the remainder consisting of pseudoephedrine and the demethylated forms of each [1]. Ephedrine is considered a performance-enhancing drug and is prohibited in most competitive sports.
Beginning in the 1990s, concerns about the safety of Ephedra and Ephedra-based products began to be publicly raised. As Ephedra is a herb, products containing it were marketed as dietary supplements and therefore were exempt from FDA regulation in the United States. Ephedra was found in many popular weight control products, some of which the FDA believed may be hazardous. Sympathomimetic amines such as ephedrine raise heart rate and blood pressure and can be particularly hazardous to those with pre-existing cardiac problems.
According to the FDA, 155 deaths can be blamed on Ephedra, most of them related to cardiac problems and strokes. However, many advocates of Ephedra maintain that it is safe when used as directed, and continue to regard it as a dietary supplement rather than as a drug. Critics maintain, however, that there is anecdotal evidence that the use of Ephedra can cause tolerance and dependence. Health food store GNC banned ephedra-containing products in June 2003, and the National Football League banned players from using it as a dietary supplement in 2001.
On December 30, 2003, the US Food and Drug Administration announced a ban (effective from 12 April 2004) on the uncontrolled sale of supplement products containing Ephedra, citing "an unreasonable risk of illness or injury" from the use of the drug. Synthetic ephedrine is still available as an ingredient in some over the counter (OTC) medications that are clearly labeled in accordance with FDA regulations. Bulk ephedra herb (such as that used in traditional Chinese medicine) not specifically marketed for human consumption is not under the jurisdiction of the FDA and is therefore unaffected. Several states have enacted their own laws regarding the sale of ephedra and ephedra-based products, some stricter than the non-statutory FDA regulation.
On 14 April 2005, this ban was struck down on procedural grounds by Utah federal judge Tena Campbell [2]. However, as of July 2005, diet supplement manufacturers, including the very company that challenged the ephedra ban in court, are still reluctant to reintroduce ephedra into their product lines.
In the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the Argentine footballer Diego Armando Maradona tested positive for ephedrine in a doping control for using one dietary supplement product containing the substance.
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In the 1994 FIFA World Cup, the Argentine footballer Diego Armando Maradona tested positive for ephedrine in a doping control for using one dietary supplement product containing the substance. Anyone can download different rendtions of the song "On This Day" by Charles Strouse, likewise "Taps." Many others have contributed works for Memorial Day, including other famous songs and poems. However, as of July 2005, diet supplement manufacturers, including the very company that challenged the ephedra ban in court, are still reluctant to reintroduce ephedra into their product lines. The White House Commission on Remembrance has free songs at its Web site entitled the National Moment of Remembrance Home Page. On 14 April 2005, this ban was struck down on procedural grounds by Utah federal judge Tena Campbell [2]. Jason Isbell of the rock-folk band Drive-By Truckers chronicled such an event in his epic ballad "Decoration Day," which is also the title cut to the respective album. Several states have enacted their own laws regarding the sale of ephedra and ephedra-based products, some stricter than the non-statutory FDA regulation. The region observes Decoration Day the Sunday before Memorial Day. Bulk ephedra herb (such as that used in traditional Chinese medicine) not specifically marketed for human consumption is not under the jurisdiction of the FDA and is therefore unaffected. The Southeastern United States celebrates Decoration Day as a day to decorate the graves of all family members, and it is not reserved for only those who served in the military. Synthetic ephedrine is still available as an ingredient in some over the counter (OTC) medications that are clearly labeled in accordance with FDA regulations. In Ireland, National Day of Commemoration commemorates all Irish men and women who died in past wars or on service with the United Nations. On December 30, 2003, the US Food and Drug Administration announced a ban (effective from 12 April 2004) on the uncontrolled sale of supplement products containing Ephedra, citing "an unreasonable risk of illness or injury" from the use of the drug. The United States uses the same date as Veterans Day (formerly Armistice Day) and honors all veterans, living and dead. Health food store GNC banned ephedra-containing products in June 2003, and the National Football League banned players from using it as a dietary supplement in 2001. Because of its origins from World War I, countries of the Commonwealth, France, and Belgium, remember members of the military who died in war on or around Remembrance Day, November 11. Critics maintain, however, that there is anecdotal evidence that the use of Ephedra can cause tolerance and dependence. Unsurprisingly, given its origin in the American Civil War, Memorial Day is not a holiday outside the US. However, many advocates of Ephedra maintain that it is safe when used as directed, and continue to regard it as a dietary supplement rather than as a drug. The change moved Memorial Day from its traditional May 30 date to the last Monday in May. According to the FDA, 155 deaths can be blamed on Ephedra, most of them related to cardiac problems and strokes. Veterans Day was eventually changed back to its traditional date. Sympathomimetic amines such as ephedrine raise heart rate and blood pressure and can be particularly hazardous to those with pre-existing cardiac problems. After some initial confusion and unwillingness to comply at the state level, all fifty states adopted the measure within a few years. Ephedra was found in many popular weight control products, some of which the FDA believed may be hazardous. The law took effect in 1971 at the federal level. As Ephedra is a herb, products containing it were marketed as dietary supplements and therefore were exempt from FDA regulation in the United States. The holidays included Washington's Birthday (which evolved into Presidents' Day), Memorial Day, Columbus Day, and Veterans Day. Beginning in the 1990s, concerns about the safety of Ephedra and Ephedra-based products began to be publicly raised. On June 28, 1968, The United States Congress passed the Uniform Holidays Bill, which moved four holidays from their traditional dates to a specified Monday in order to create a convienent three-day weekend. Ephedrine is considered a performance-enhancing drug and is prohibited in most competitive sports. The alternative name of "Memorial Day" was first used in 1882, but did not become more common until after World War II, and was not declared the official name by Federal law until 1967. Ephedrine constitues 40-90% of the alkaloid content, with the remainder consisting of pseudoephedrine and the demethylated forms of each [1]. Many Southern States did not recognize Memorial Day until after World War I, and even after continued to have a separate Confederate Memorial Day, with the date varying from state to state. sinica, has a total alkaloid content of 1-3% by dry weight. South refused to celebrate Decoration Day due to lingering hostility towards the Union Army, which it was commemorating. Some species in the Ephedra genus have zero alkaloid content and are therefore essentially inert, however the most commonly used species, E. Many of the states of the U.S. The alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are the active constituents of the plant. The tombs of fallen Union soldiers were decorated in remembrance of this day. These plants have traditionally been used by indigenous people for a variety of medicinal purposes, and are a likely candidate for the Soma plant of Indo-Iranian religion. It was observed for the first time on May 30 of the same year. The following list of species is from the Gymnosperm Database page for Ephedra. On May 5, 1868, in his capacity as commander-in-chief of the Grand Army of the Republic, a veterans' organization, Logan issued a proclamation that "Decoration Day" be observed nationwide. Ephedra is also sometimes called sea grape (from the French raisin de mer), although that is also a common name for Coccoloba uvifera. Logan had been the principal speaker in a citywide memorial observation on April 29, 1866, at a cemetery in Carbondale, Illinois, an event that likely gave him the idea to make it a national holiday. The Chinese name is 麻黄, ma huang, which means "yellow hemp". Logan, who led the call for the day to be observed each year and helped spread the event nationwide, was a key factor in its growth. They are also called Joint-pine, Jointfir, or Mormon-tea. The village was credited with being the birthplace because it observed the day on May 5, 1866, and each year thereafter, and because it's likely that the friendship of General John Murray, a distinguished citizen of Waterloo, and General John A. These plants occur in dry climates over a wide area mainly in the Northern Hemisphere, across southern Europe, north Africa, southwest and central Asia, southwestern North America, and, in the Southern Hemisphere, in South America south to Patagonia. The official birthplace of Memorial Day is Waterloo, New York. Ephedra is a genus of gymnosperm shrubs, the only genus in the family Ephedraceae and order Ephedrales. These observances eventually coalesced around Decoration Day honoring the Union dead and the several Confederate Memorial Days. Ephedra viridis Coville - Green Ephedra, Green Mormon-tea. Some of the early cities creating a memorial day include Charleston, South Carolina; Boalsburg, Pennsylvania; Richmond, Virginia; and some two dozen other cities and towns. - Longleaf Ephedra, Longleaf Jointfir, Longleaf Mormon-tea, Popotilla, Teposote. Following the end of the Civil War, many communities set aside a day to mark the end of the war or as a memorial to those who had died. Ephedra trifurca Torrey ex S.Wats. . - Torrey's Ephedra, Torrey's Jointfir, Torrey's Mormon-tea, Cañutillo. Americans popularly view Memorial Day as the unofficial beginning of summer, while they view Labor Day as the unofficial end of the season. Ephedra torreyana S.Wats. However, at least some Americans enjoy the guaranteed three-day weekend that comes with observing the holiday on a Monday. Ephedra sinica Stapf - Ma Huang, Chinese ephedra. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day." Hawaii's Senator Inoye has repeatedly introduced measures to return Memorial Day to its traditional day since 1999. Ephedra saxatilis (Stapf) Royle ex Florin. The VFW stated in a 2002 Memorial Day Address, "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. Ephedra regeliana Florin - Xi Zi Ma Huang. Memorial Day traditionally occurs on May 30, and some, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW), advocate returning to this fixed date. & Bobr.) C.Y.Cheng. One of the longest standing traditions is the running of the Indianapolis 500, which has been held in conjuction with Memorial Day since 1911. kaschgarica (B.Fedtsch. In addition to remembrance, Memorial Day is also a time for picnics, family gatherings, and sporting events. Ephedra przewalskii var. Flag at half-staff from dawn until noon local time. Ephedra przewalskii Stapf
ex S.Wats. Many people observe this holiday by visiting cemeteries and memorials. Ephedra pedunculata Engelm. Church services on the Sunday prior to Memorial Day may include a reading of the names of members who have died during the previous 12 months. - Nevada Ephedra, Nevada Jointfir, Nevada Mormon-tea. Today, some Americans apparently use Memorial Day weekend to also honor family members who have passed away. Ephedra nevadensis S.Wats. After World War I, it expanded to include those who died in any war or military action. Ephedra monosperma C.A.Meyer Ephedra viridis in western Nevada . It began first to honor Union soldiers who died during the American Civil War. Ephedra minuta Florin. men and women who died in military service for their country. procera Fischer & C.A.Meyer. This holiday commemorates U.S. Ephedra major subsp. It was formerly known as Decoration Day. Ephedra major Host
Ephedra intermedia Schrenk ex C.A.Meyer. Ephedra gerardiana Wallich ex C.A.Meyer - Gerard's Jointfir, Shan Ling Ma Huang. Ephedra funerea Coville & Morton - Death Valley Ephedra, Death Valley Jointfir. Ephedra frustillata Miers - Patagonian Ephedra. & Graebn. campylopoda (C.A.Meyer) Aschers. Ephedra fragilis subsp. Ephedra fragilis Desf.
Ephedra fedtschenkoae Pauls. - Arizona Ephedra, Arizona Jointfir, Desert Mormon-tea. Ephedra fasciculata A.Nels. Ephedra equisetina Bunge - Ma huang. & Graebn. helvetica (C.A.Meyer) Aschers. Ephedra distachya subsp. - Joint-pine, Jointfir
Ephedra distachya L. Ephedra cutleri Peebles - Navajo Ephedra, Cutler's Ephedra, Cutler Mormon-tea, Cutler's Jointfir. Ephedra coryi E.L.Reed - Cory's Ephedra. - California Ephedra, California Jointfir. Ephedra californica S.Wats. - Boundary Ephedra, Pitamoreal. ex S.Wats. Ephedra aspera Engelm. ex C.A.Meyer - Clapweed, Erect Ephedra. Ephedra antisyphilitica Berl. Ephedra altissima Desf. Ephedra alata Decne. |