Integrative treatment of acute external ear eczema in 82 cases. Discussing Ephedra, the same strain B Ephedra and Ephedra root from the same strain but different medicinal parts contain different chemical compositions, tastes, efficacy, pharmacology, and clinical applications. The sexual ignorance normalized by Ephedra: acrid bitter temperature. In the lungs, the bladder passes through the Ephedra root: gamping, ultimately reaching the lung.
1. Effectiveness of Ephedra: sweating, asthma relief, diuresis; Ephedra root: antiperspirant.
2. Composition:
- Ephedra: Contains alkaloids at 1.315% ephedrine, accounting for 80% to 85% of total alkaloid content, followed by right-handed pseudoephedrine. Additionally, it contains trace amounts of L-methylephedrine, methyl D pseudoephedrine, L-demethylation ephedrine alkali, dextral demethylation pseudoephedrine, volatile benzyl methylamine, catechins, tannins, and a small amount of volatile oil, including L-a-terpineol in the oil, which accounts for 55%. Ephedrine makes up 5%, D-pseudoephedrine 25%, and methylephedrine.
- Equisetina: Contains alkaloids at about 1.02% to 3.33%, with ephedrine accounting for 55% to 75%, and right-handed pseudoephedrine accounting for 25% to 45%. The product also contains tannins, flavonoid glycosides, dextrin, inulin, starch, pectin, cellulose, glucose compounds, and organic acids such as oxalic acid, citric acid, malic acid, and fumaric acid.
- Three in Ephedra: Contains alkaloids at the lowest level of 0.25% to 0.89%. According to reports, three kinds of Ephedra contain oxazolidinone alkaloids present in the pith of the Ephedra stem section, with a concentration of 1.2 to 1.3, but the highest concentration is pseudoephedrine.
Pharmacological Effects:
4.1 Ephedra
4.1.1 Central Nervous System Excitatory Effects: Ephedrine is the most prominent central nervous system stimulant among Ephedra alkaloids. Large doses can excite the cerebral cortex and subcortical centers, causing mental excitement, insomnia, anxiety, shock, and other symptoms. It also excites the respiratory center and vasomotor center, awakening from narcotic poisoning.
4.1.2 Heart Role: Cardiac stimulant. Increases heart rate and pulse. Repeated applications or large doses can easily produce inhibition and disrupt rhythm, but much weaker than adrenal cable. Can cause arrhythmia in patients with severe organic heart disease when used with digitalis.
4.1.3 Hypertension Role: Ephedrine excites adrenal cord nerves, increasing heart rate, myocardial contractility, cardiac output, vasoconstriction, and blood pressure. Due to its slow, gentle, and long-lasting characteristics, repeated applications can easily produce rapid tolerance.
4.1.4 Bronchial Smooth Muscle: Ephedrine has a more lasting spasm effect on bronchial smooth muscle, especially significant during bronchial spasticity. This effect is similar to that of adrenal cable, more moderate and long-lasting. A small amount affects sympathetic nerve endings, while a large amount acts on smooth muscle.
4.1.5 Sweat Role: Diaphoretic effect due to oral administration strengthening agitation, making blood run natively on the outside, activating and expanding external subcutaneous microvessels, increasing sweat secretion. Experimental results show that Ephedra volatile oil has a diaphoretic effect observed under normal circumstances. Ephedrine does not induce human sweat, but in a warm environment, after taking 52-60mg of Ephedrine, sweat secretion occurs faster within 0.5-2.0 hours without needing more Ephedrine. After taking Ephedra soup, warming should enable whole-body sweating; if the temperature is covered, sweating may be less.
4.1.6 Anti-virus and Antipyretic Effects: Ephedra volatile oil inhibits influenza virus infection. Subcutaneous injection of PR8 influenza virus in mice shows therapeutic effects (increased survival, reduced lung injury). Ephedra oil emulsion causes intramuscular disinfection milk antipyretic effects in artificially induced fever in rabbits. Ephedra volatile oil and its main component terpineol have cooling effects on normal mouse body temperature.
4.1.7 Diuretic Effect: Pseudoephedrine has a significant diuretic effect. Intravenous pseudoephedrine in anesthetized dogs at 0.5-1.00 mg/kg increases urine output 2-5 times, with effects lasting 30-60 minutes. When the dose increases to 1.5 mg/kg or more, urine output decreases.
4.1.8 Anti-allergic Effects: Can be used for urticaria and allergic reactions.
4.2 Pharmacological Effects of Ephedra Root: Antiperspirant role of Ephedra root, root alkaloid part inhibiting low-grade fever and nicotine-induced sweating.
Received Date: November 30, 2005.