I believe it is important to note here that she points out specifically to the few deaths caused by dietary supplement Ephedra, to continue as the rationale to protect the people . Specifically in this case ephedra was a concentrated isolated standardized form of a common herb. This phyto--Pharmacia was used and promoted in a way in which the herb by itself would never be used for. Herbalist have always cautioned in its use and was not for long term use. IN EFFECT this phyto--Pharmacia ephedra was responsible for killing and injuring people and while the simple whole herb, ephedra - got the blame. How could anyone make such a simple mistake? . Just as if one took the simple herb foxglove isolated, concentrated and standardized it into DIGITALIS it would be a drug and it as all drugs would kill people. Or where making a simple tea from the simple herb St John's Wort be as effective as the Anti-depressive drugs (and without side affects) yet when St John's Wort was concentrated isolated and standardized blamed on liver failure. YET there are no reported cases of the herb ma huang (ephedra) or the herb St John's Wort being associated with death or even injury !!!
Where both Ma Huang and St John's Wort grow wild and may be made as a simple tea that offers relief quickly and affective it does take certain degree of expertise and expensive equipment to produce a concentrated, standardized isolation of a single ingredient. Then to market and promote such a product without any concerns of known reactions. ... .....who would profit from such madness ... Ephedra - which was sold and marketed in Health Food Stores across the USA as a isolated, standardized concentrated extract was specifically promoted and marketed as a street drug. All those involved in this action knew it was speed. They also knew speed helped reduce the appetite (lose weight) and gave one lots of energy. It was also aimed at kids and ALL those involved in this knowingly were selling drugs. BTW, you can still LEGALLY BUY Ephedra at your local __drugstore__. Its over the counter (no prescription needed) Sudafed (and a few other brand names) Thank God, the PRESS and the Government protect the people... Ed Kasper LAc. Licensed Acupuncturist & Herbalist Acupuncture is a jab well done www.HappyHerbalist.com Santa Cruz, CA. -----Original Message----- From: FRANK CUNS-RIAL [mailto:[email protected]] Sent: Friday, July 08, 2005 12:37 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: CS>NATIONAL HEALTH FEDERATION - CAFTA Press Release Sen Feinstein should worry about the 100,000 plus deaths caused each year by the side effects of lawful and correctly prescribed medications. It is hypocresy to the nth degree! Frank ----- Original Message ----- From: Raine To: [email protected] Sent: Friday, July 08, 2005 12:39 PM Subject: Re: CS>NATIONAL HEALTH FEDERATION - CAFTA Press Release Below is the response I got from my Senator. Not very heartening. Dear Mrs. XXXX: Thank you for writing to express your concerns regarding the Codex Alimentarius legislation proposed under the World Trade Organization (WTO). I appreciate the time you took to write. I understand your serious concern regarding this issue. As you know, the WTO is an international body which addresses the rules of trade between countries. At its heart are the WTO agreements, negotiated and signed by the bulk of the world's trading nations, which provide the legal ground-rules for international commerce. They are essentially contracts, binding governments to keep their trade policies within agreed limits. The availability of dietary supplements to the public is important, but it is equally important that these supplements do not put the consumer's health at stake. I believe that if we are to ensure the safety of those who consume dietary supplements, we must make sure that these supplements are not hazardous to their health. We cannot allow deaths, such as those caused by the dietary supplement Ephedra, to continue. Please know that I will continue to monitor the work of the WTO and be sure to keep your thoughts in mind as I do so. Again, thank you for writing. I hope that you will continue to keep me informed of your views and concerns. If you should have further questions regarding this or any other issue, please do not hesitate to contact my Washington, D.C office at (202) 224-3841, or visit my website at http://feinstein.senate.gov. Sincerely yours, Dianne Feinstein United States Senator http://feinstein.senate.gov Paula Perry wrote: This article explains the whole situation we are facing regarding CAFTA and CODEX. I am sending it because we all need to act quickly. CAFTA is in trouble. There is a slim chance it will not pass. Paula http://www.thenhf.com/newsflash_49.htm
