From: Ellen Thompson [jingriver@yahoo.com]
Sent: Friday, April 04, 2003 4:42 PM
To: fdadockets@oc.fda.gov
Subject: Ephedra (Ma Huang)

  I am writing in response to your request for 
comments regarding Ephedra (ma huang).
  The vast majority of studies assessing the health
risks of Ephedra involve cases in which it has have
been used as an aid in weight loss or for enhanced
athletic performance.  In Chinese Medicine Ma Huang
(Ephedra) is not used to promote weight loss or
increase energy levels.  It is used by trained
professionals for treatment of many respiratory
disorders, such as colds, flu, bronchitis and
especially asthma.  For the proper indications, Ma
Huang is dispensed by trained professionals, within
properly balanced herbal combinations, in small dosage
and for a limited period of time. Ma Huang is a
valuable herb and an essential part of treatment in
appropriate cases.  Practitioners of Chinese Medicine
should not lose access to this safe and legitimate
form of herbal medicine.

Sincerely,

J. Ellen Thompson, M.Ed., M.Ac.
Jing River Acupuncture
2 Fremont Street
Oxford, MA 01540

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