Abstract
Ephedra has been commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) without significant adverse effects. Ephedra-containing dietary supplements are widely used in the United States to promote weight reduction and energy enhancement. However, there are significant safety concerns regarding the use of ephedra-containing dietary supplements, especially when such use occurs by consumers without medical supervision. This article reviews and contrasts the usage of ephedra as a dietary supplement in the US against an herbal medication in TCM. The potential adverse effects of ephedra-containing dietary supplements are also reviewed.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1-10 |
| Number of pages | 10 |
| Journal | American Journal of Chinese Medicine |
| Volume | 32 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - 2004 |
Keywords
- Adverse effects
- Dietary supplement
- Ephedra
- Ephedra sinica
- Safety
- Traditional Chinese medicine
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Complementary and alternative medicine