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NEWS RELEASE

March 10, 2003

For More Information Contact: Rebecca Wilkowski, Phone:(800) 729-0941

Ma huang misused and misunderstood by the general public

Although the February 17 heatstroke death of 23-year-old Baltimore Oriels pitcher Steve Bechler has re-raised concerns about the use of the herb ma huang and its derivative, ephedra, practitioners of Traditional Chinese medicine say that Chinese medicinal uses of the herb are both safe and beneficial when prescribed and administered under the supervision of a licensed acupuncturist or herbalist.

Ma huang has been used safely and effectively for centuries among practitioners of Chinese medicine. In Chinese medicine, ma huang is not used to increase energy levels or promote weight loss. Rather, the herb is typically used as a remedy for asthma, coughs, congestion, and other lung problems. Licensed herbalists administer ma huang in much lower doses than the amounts typically found in Western diet pills and energy enhancers. When traditional Chinese herbal formulas use ma huang, it is for shorter periods of time and in conjunction with other herbs that serve to counteract and balance any of the negative side effects of ma huang. To date, there have not been any reported cases of death from ephedra use in China, where the herb is commonly prescribed.

Western pharmaceutical companies, however, use a concentrated form of ephedrine, the alkaloid enhancement of the natural herb ma huang. In the U.S., ephedrine is often taken as a supplement to increase weight-loss, energy, and athletic performance. Many Americans use ephedra in this capacity for extended periods of time without professional medical supervision. Ephedra is often combined in diet or energy products with caffeine or a natural caffeine source such as kola nut, guarana, or tea. The combination of these two different types of stimulants can be especially powerful. If abused or misused, ephedrine can lead to dangerous side effects, such as high blood pressure, heart attack and stoke.

According to Jack Miller, L.Ac., President of Pacific College of Oriental Medicine, "if one of the dozens of chemical compounds found in any herb is isolated, concentrated and then used as a drug, there is definitely an increased possibility of toxicity and negative effects. This is compounded when the herb is used for conditions not traditionally indicated."

Ephedra’s dangers are well documented in the traditional Chinese medical literature, which are studied by students training to be licensed acupuncturists and herbalists. Practitioners trained and licensed to prescribe Chinese herbs such as ephedra typically have 3-4 years of graduate level schooling from a Traditional Oriental medicine college, graduate with a Masters degree, and pass minimum competency exams for licensing. The risks associated with taking ma huang under the care of a licensed acupuncturist or herbalist are minimal when compared to the larger risk resulting from inappropriate ephedra usage by the public and an under-regulated supplement industry.

The National Institute of Health and the World Health Organization have cited Oriental Medicine, which includes herbology, as an effective means of healthcare. Over fifteen million acupuncture treatments are performed safely each year, and nearly half of the American population spends $27 billion annually on complementary therapies of this sort.

For more information on the history and safety of Chinese medicine, please contact Pacific College at (800) 729-0941.

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