 With the banning of the herb Ephedra sinensis (Ma Huang), Sida cordifolia has stepped forth to takes it place as a stimulant, aphrodisiac, and as an aid for weight-loss. Like Ephedra, it contains various ephedrine alkaloids which stimulate the central and peripheral nervous system, thus increasing metabolism and the body’s use of oxygen, improving the breath, and producing a sense of euphoria. Sida contains other alkaloids not present in Ephedra - vasicinone, vasicine, and vasicinol - which provide additional health benefits.
The ratio of ephedrine (primarily a central nervous-system stimulant) to the other sympathomimetic ephedrine alkaloids (primarily peripheral nervous-system stimulants), namely, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, and norpseudoephedrine, is lower in Sida than in Ephedra, with the result that the unhealthful effects of ephedrine, namely hypertension and general stress on the heart, are decreased, while the aphrodisiac and euphorient effects (resulting from the greater stimulation of the peripheral nervous system) are maintained. Indeed, it is considered to be one of the most valuable drugs in Ayurvedic medicine and has been used therapeutically for more than a thousand years. Western medicine has yet to explore its therapeutic value
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