Ayurveda has been prescribing the herb Ephedra Vulgaris for treating Bronchial Asthma. This herb is found in the drier regions of Himalayas at altitude of 2700m to 3600m. Bronchial Asthma affects 7% population of United States and causes 4000 deaths per year in the country. This article tries to understand the research facts known about this herb in treating asthma.
Knowledge Gained from Research about Ephedra Vulgaris:
- The Studies done on this herb found that the extracts of this herb contains a component called Alkaloids.
- The Alkaloids possess the properties of a Sympathomimetic agent.
- A substance is called a sympathomimetic agent if it can reduce the complications associated with asthma of the lung.
- Such substances increase the release of norepinephrine from the cells of the nervous system.
- The norepinephrine are the chemicals which in turn activate the alpha and beta receptors of the cells of the nervous system.
- The receptors are the components with which the cells communicate for their normal functioning.
- When the alpha and the beta receptors in the cells of the nervous system get activated, a signal is sent to the organ heart to over function by contracting at a faster rate.
- This causes the organ lung to relax.The fine air holes of the lung called the bronchioles expand and filter the needed oxygen from the other unwanted toxins in the lung better.
- The patient as a result stops feeling short of breath or being chocked as is the case in asthma.
Though the dried branch of Ephedra Vulgaris is used to treat asthma, the other components of this herb like the flowers, seeds and fruits are also beneficial in curing other ailments.
