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Re: heart burn/any link with ma huang??

From: Dennis Wilcox,M.D.
Date: 08/30/00
Time: 23:25:57

Comments

Ma huang aka Ephedra is a central nervous system stimulant and a vasoconstrictor. It really depends on how much you are taking and what else is in the herb mix you ingest. Also if you take caffeine in any form the stimulant action of the Ephedra is increased. I do not have the information on a direct link between ingestion of Ephedra and the symptom of heartburn but we do know that any of the xanthine derivatives are known to relax the lower esophageal sphincter. These are the different forms of caffeine related chemicals such as guarana. They do make the symptoms of GERD worse. A reasonable conclusion would be that if it makes you feel bad you probably shouldn't take it.

Last changed: January 11, 2008