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Herbs & Supplements
Mahuang
Scientific Name: Ephedra
Other Names: Ephedra sinica, Epitonin, Herbal Ecstasy, Ma Huang, Muzei, Popptillo
What side effects should I watch for?
Stopping ephedra does not guarantee that side effects will also stop. In some reported cases, side effects such as mental disturbances or high blood pressure continued for several months after individuals stopped taking ephedra.
Major Side Effects
Note: Not all of the severe effects associated with ephedra occurred in individuals with known medical conditions. Many side effects--some very serious ones--were experienced by healthy, young or middle-aged individuals who took low doses of ephedra for short periods.
Ephedra has been identified as the cause of over 150 deaths in the United States. Thousands of non-fatal side effects have also been attributed to its use. Some of ephedra's more serious potential side effects include:
- Hemorrhagic strokes (resulting from bleeding into the brain)
- Heart attacks
- Heart failure
- Psychoses and other mental disorders
- Muscle (including heart) abnormalities
- Seizures
- Kidney stones
- Unconsciousness
Stopping ephedra does not guarantee that side effects will also stop. In some reported cases, side effects such as mental disturbances or high blood pressure continued for several months after individuals stopped taking ephedra.
Less Severe Side Effects
Taking ephedra has also been associated with:
- Agitation
- Anxiety
- Changes in blood sugar levels
- Changes in heart rate
- Changes in heart rhythm
- Depression
- Difficult urination
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Elevated blood pressure
- Elevated body temperature
- Enlarged heart
- Flushing of the face
- Hallucinations
- Headache
- Heartburn
- Inability to concentrate
- Insomnia
- Irritability
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea
- Restlessness
- Sleep disturbances
- Suicidal thoughts
- Tingling fingers or toes
- Vomiting
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Note: The above information is not intended to replace the advice of your physician, pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It is not meant to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
In general, herbal products are not subject to review or approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). They are not required to be standardized, meaning that the amounts of active ingredients or contaminants they contain may vary between brands or between different batches of the same brand. Not all of the risks, side effects, or interactions associated with the use of herbal products are known because few reliable studies of their use in humans have been done.
This information is provided for your education only. Please share this information with your healthcare provider and be sure that you talk to your doctor and pharmacist about all the prescription and non-prescription medicines you take before you begin to use any herbal product.
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What side effects should I watch for? 
