E
Dosages (Ephedra) — 2 g/240 ml water providing 15–30 mg ephedrine (APA); herb equivalent
to 15–30 mg total alkaloid, calculated as ephedrine (KOM); 2–4 tbsp fresh herb (PED); 3–6 g dry
herb (PED); 4.5 g dry herb:22 ml alcohol/23 ml water (PED); 1–4 g herb/cup water, to 3 ×/day
(PH2); 15–30 mg total alkaloid per dose, to 120 mg/day; child’s single dose 0.5 mg/kg (PH2); 1–4
g powdered stem (PNC); 1–3 ml liquid extract (PNC); 1–4 ml tincture 3 ×/day (SKY). Surprisingly,
as the FDA considers withdrawing ephedra, Commission E approved ma huang for, “Diseases of
the respiratory tract with mild bronchospasms in adults,” single dosages of herb equivalent to 15–30
mg total alkaloid, not to exceed 300 mg alkaloid a day, and children over age six years, 0.5 mg
total alkaloid/kg body weight) (KOM).
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Ephedra) — Class 2b, 2c, 2d. Contraindicated in
anorexia, anxiety, bulimia, cerebral perfusion, diabetes, glaucoma, high blood pressure, pheochromocy-
toma, prostatadenoma, restlessness, and thyrotoxicosis (KOM; PH2; SHT; SKY). Thyroid stimulant,
not recommended for long-term use. The herb and/or its ephedrine can cause addiction, anxiety, anorexia,
cardiac arrest, cardiac arrhythmia, dizziness, dysuria, flushing, headache, high blood pressure, insomnia,
irritability, nausea, nervousness, palpitations, restlessness, tachycardia, uterocontraction, vomiting, and
xerostomia (KOM; PH2; SHT; SKY). Commission E reports contraindications, adverse effects, and
interactions of the major alkaloid, ephedrine. Not to be used for prolonged period. Not to be taken with
MAOIs. May potentiate MAOIs (AHP). Ephedra-based products should be avoided during pregnancy
and lactation, and used with caution in children <6 years old (SKY). More than 100 g herb (~ = 1–2 g
L-ephedrine) can be lethally toxic in humans. “Over-the-counter drugs containing ephedrine can be safely
used by adults at a dose of 12.5–25 mg every four hours. Adults should take no more than 150 mg every
twenty-four hours” (SKY). A 60 mg dose of pseudoephedrine every six hours is usually recommended.
(Lininger et al., 1998). Ephedrine-containing substances have been listed as addictive by the International
Olympic Committee (KOM). The LD50 of ephedrine is reported at 500 mg/kg orl man (PED), making
it about half as toxic as caffeine. Although I have given this my triple X, I still think it one of the best
antiasthmatic herbs, and quite useful in other respiratory conditions.
ERGOT (Claviceps purpurea) XActivities (Ergot) — Ecbolic (1; EFS); Emmenagogue (1; EFS); Hemostat (1; EFS); Toxic (1;
EFS); Uterotonic (1; EFS).
Indications (Ergot) — Atonia (f; PH2); Bleeding (f; EFS; PH2); Childbirth (f; PH2); Circulosis
(f; PH2); Convulsion (f; PH2); Cramp (f; PH2); Menorrhagia (f; PH2); Metrorrhagia (f; PH2);
Migraine (1; PH2); Myosis (f; PH2); Paralysis (f; PH2); Uterosis (f; PH2).
Dosages (Ergot) — Too dangerous.
Contraindications, Interactions, and Side Effects (Ergot) — “Ergot is now contraindicated for
all therapeutic use” (PH2). Not covered nor recommended any more, though ergotamine is still
used for migraine (prescription only, I suppose).
ERYNGO (Eryngium campestre L.) ++Activities (Eryngo) — Antispasmodic (f; PH2); Aphrodisiac (f; HHB); Diuretic (f; PH2); Expec-
torant (f; PH2).
Indications (Eryngo) — Amenorrhea (f; HHB); Bladder Stone (f; PH2); Blister (f; HHB); Bron-
chosis (f; HHB; PH2); Cancer (f; JLH); Catarrh (f; PH2); Cramp (f; PH2); Cystosis (f; HHB);
Dermatosis (f; PH2); Edema (f; HHB; PH2); Hepatosis (f; HHB); Inflammation (f; JLH; PH2);
Jaundice (f; HHB); Kidney Stone (f; PH2); Nephrosis (f; PH2); Prostatosis (f; HHB; PH2); Splenosis
(f; HHB); Urethrosis (f; PH2); UTI (f; PH2); Water Retention (f; PH2).