A late night "what would you do?"

[Amy loves Bud]

Here's the scenario.

 

A few days ago, I was at friend A's house. We had both been suffering cold/allergy symptoms and were commiserating. She mentioned an alternative medication that friend B had given her and it had helped her some. She offered it to me and said friend B wouldn't mind if I took some, too (and she really wouldn't). When I saw the label, I saw that Ephedra was one of the ingredients.

 

I haven't kept up with it, but I knew there was a lot of back and forth about Ephedra being banned in the U.S. Since I wasn't sure, I just declined the offer and looked it up (couple of days later, because I forgot) and found that Ephedra is banned in the U.S.

 

So at this point, when friend A is better and presumably not taking any more of the remedy, would you mention it to her? Would you mention it to friend B in case she doesn't know? Or just stay out of it?

 

FYI: I realize the ban is controversial. I'm not necessarily for or against it and my question isn't really about whether it's legitimate ban or not. If y'all want to discuss that, it's fine by me, but I'm more curious about if you would say anything.

[Caitilin]

I am big on informing people of what they're doing, so I probably would have said something like, "hey, did you see that Ephedra is one of the ingredients in medicine XYZ? I remember when there was a big flap about it in the news a while back--do you happen to remember whatever came of that?" that way, she can decide what to do with the info, and I don't come off as saying she's nuts for taking the medicine. :001_smile:

[Jean in Newcastle]

I wouldn't say anything for this reason: from what I understand, the ban on ephedra was because it was being used for dieting at higher doses than were advisable. Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is related and is still available over-the-counter (well not totally over the counter, since you have to ask for it and get it in only small amounts because it is used in meth production).

 

Btw- if this alternative medication contained native North American ephedra, it is a different substance than the banned ephedra/ ma huang.

[Parrothead]

I might let Friend A know, but I wouldn't say anything to Friend B. Presumable Friend B did not get this in the US, so Friend B knows where it came from and why she had to go else where to get it.

[Amy loves Bud]

Btw- if this alternative medication contained native North American ephedra, it is a different substance than the banned ephedra/ ma huang.

 

Do you have a source for this? Here is the FDA statement:

 

No dosage of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids is safe and the sale of these products in the United States is illegal and subject to FDA enforcement action.

 

Ephedrine alkaloids can come from either variety of plant as far as I know. If you have other information I'd really like to have it. Thanks.

[Jean in Newcastle]

Do you have a source for this? Here is the FDA statement:

 

No dosage of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids is safe and the sale of these products in the United States is illegal and subject to FDA enforcement action.

 

Ephedrine alkaloids can come from either variety of plant as far as I know. If you have other information I'd really like to have it. Thanks.

 

This was my source. I did not check this source against others. http://www.truestarhealth.com/Notes/1371006.html

[Amy loves Bud]

This was my source. I did not check this source against others. http://www.truestarhealth.com/Notes/1371006.html

 

Thank you! This is helpful.

 

Is there any reason the NA variety would be used in a cold remedy?

[Jean in Newcastle]

This site lists Mormon tea as a remedy for colds as well as venereal disease.:tongue_smilie: http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_mormon_tea.htm

[RoughCollie]

So at this point, when friend A is better and presumably not taking any more of the remedy, would you mention it to her? Would you mention it to friend B in case she doesn't know? Or just stay out of it?

 

I would tell both friends what the FDA says, short and sweet. As far as I'm concerned, it became my business when I was offered the alternative medication. After I tell them what I discovered, what they do in the future is up to them.

[ereks mom]

I would tell both friends what the FDA says, short and sweet. As far as I'm concerned, it became my business when I was offered the alternative medication. After I tell them what I discovered, what they do in the future is up to them.

 

:iagree:

[gaillardia]

Yes, I would say something about it. It makes for good conversation.

When whole herbal parts are used from a plant those chemical parts all work together to give the herb the healing or medicinal value it is known for. When "herbal companies" use herbs they quite often separate the parts to use in various "remedies." It is the dividing of the chemicals, separating the chemicals that makes it dangerous and what got the FDA to ban various "ephedra" products.

These chemical parts of a plant are together and used as whole herbs by people who use whole and as unprocessed herbal preparations. Sometimes herbal preparations are kept whole by using them powdered in capsules, distilled in vinegar or alcohol or preserved by vegetable glycerin.

Comfrey and ephedra are two examples of exploited herbs and now bans or cautions from the FDA make everyone think "OOOH, bad herbs. Dangerous herbs."

Never mind about all the products pulled off of shelves for headaches, fever, colds, flu for children, infants, adults. We'll start taking them just as soon as they're put back on the shelf.:glare:

Sorry, I'm just sayin'...

[Tutor]

Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) is related and is still available over-the-counter (well not totally over the counter, since you have to ask for it and get it in only small amounts because it is used in meth production).

 

Actually, here in MS pseudoephedrine is prescription only. Grrrr... Other states are looking at doing the same, as I understand. (Sorry for the tangent.)