Herbal ecstasy and Ma huang.
Date: Mon, 14 Aug 1995 23:56:42 -0700
Sender: HERB.TREARNPC.EGE.EDU.TR
From: Timothy Lee <leeways.U.WASHINGTON.EDU>
Subject: Herbal Ecstacy
Hello. While surfing the Net I came upon an advertisement for this stuff called Herbal Ecstacy. It is said to cause a very pleasant state of euphoria, similar to the illegal drug called "Ecstacy". Has any one on this listserv heard of this or tried it? I would be interested in trying it out if it is safe. Here is a list of it's ingredients which I pulled off the Internet:
HERBAL ECSTACY'S INGREDIENTS
Cola Nut
Cola Nut is from West Africa and is used as a stimulating beverage. It contains 2 - 3.5% caffeine. It was the main source of caffeine for Coca Cola after cocaine became illegal. It is considered a sexual stimulant in Jamaica and Brazil.
Fo-Ti
Fo-Ti is a Chinese herb used for tonifying the chi in cases of fatigue and lethargy. It is a liver tonic and is strengthening to the body.
Ginko Biloba
Ginko is the leaf of an ancient Chinese tree. It is popularly used as a "brain tonic," being said to enhance mental clarity and memory. It is a strong peripheral vasodilator, thus increasing oxygen and blood flow to the brain.
Ginseng
Ginseng is a Chinese root with centuries of traditional usage. In China, it is mainly used as an energy / chi tonic. It strengthens and nourishes the whole body.
Gotu Kola
Gotu Kola (Centella asiatica) is a nervous system tonic native to India and Hawaii. In Ayurveda it is considered the prime nervine tonic and is said to promote mental calm and clarity and assists in the practice of meditation. Its main use today is "brain tonic," being said to increase oxygen and blood flow to the brain.
Green Tea Extract
Green tea (Camellia sinensis) is of Asian origin and has been cultivated and used since ancient times all over the world. It contains 1 - 4% caffeine and has been proven to have very powerful anti-oxidant properties.
Guarana
Guarana is a Brazilian herb that is a caffeine-containing stimulant. It contains 2.5 - 5% caffeine as compared to coffee which contains 1 - 2% caffeine. Guarana is used in stimulating beverages, like coffee, in Brazil and Uruguay.
Ma Huang
Ma Huang, or Ephedra, is a Chinese herb that is used traditionally for asthma and other bronchial conditions. It dilates the bronchioles of the lungs. It is also a powerful adrenal stimulant. Therefore, it is not recommended for people with high blood pressure, pre-existing heart conditions or who are pregnant or nursing. Ma Huang contains ephedrine.
Rou Gui
Rou Gui (Cinnamomum cassia) is a rare form of Chinese nutmeg or cinnamon. It raises vitality, warms and stimulates all the vital functions of the body. It should not be used in excessive heat conditions or pregnancy.
Please let me know if any of you think this stuff is dangerous and should not be taken. I will see if I can do a medline search on these ingredients.
Thanks, Timothy Lee MD.
From: Paul Iannone <p_iannone.POP.COM>
> Fo-Ti is a Chinese herb used for tonifying the chi in cases of fatigue and lethargy. It is a liver tonic and is strengthening to the body.
Pile of nonsense, as is this product. He shou wu (the proper name of this herb) IS NOT A 'CHI TONIC.' It is not used for fatigue and lethargy, and is in fact laxative (laxation is usually not used in fatigue). It is a Liver Blood Booster. It is a warm herb, and will not agree with those who already tend towards Heat.
> Rou Gui (Cinnamomum cassia) is a rare form of Chinese nutmeg or cinnamon. It raises vitality, warms and stimulates all the vital functions of the body. It should not be used in excessive heat conditions or pregnancy.
Rou gui is NOT a rare anything. It is one of the most commonly used Yang Warming herbs in the world. It is certainly NOT associated with nutmeg, which is, surprise, in the Nutmeg family (Cinnamomum is in the Laurel family).
Stay away from this nonsense. I have met very few Americans who need to Heat their Organs MORE. Ma huang and a bunch of caffeine -- why not just take amphetamines? If you take this stuff, plan on becoming the patient of someone on this list (if you are lucky) real soon.
From: Paul Iannone <p_iannone.POP.COM>
: From what I've learned, ma huang is dangerous. It has been linked to strokes. Senequier
It is a wonderful herb, if used properly. 'Kicks' is not what I would call 'proper,' no.
From: Paul Iannone <p_iannone.POP.COM>
: Herbal ecstacy is not a good thing. A person using this would never be able to sleep.
Entrepreneurs are an inherent evil. There is nothing to be done about such people, who have no scruples whatsoever. This product alone could spell the end of Ephedra in this country, period. And it certainly will harm the entire herb field in the U.S.
