To examine the safety and efficacy of citrus aurantium, an herb now commonly used as a substitute for ephedra in dietary supplements marketed to promote weight loss, we conducted a systematic review. An extensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, and the Cochrane Collaboration Database identified only 1 eligible randomized placebo controlled trial, which followed 20 patients for 6 weeks, demon...

In Rigveda Soma is an evergreen plant, with thousand stalks yellow hued bestowing auspicious energy. Resembling yellow fibres of hemp ephedra was rained in Chlnoso Ho-Ma, Yellow-hemp. It was Sanskritized as Soma. Being an energizer-cum-euphoriant its juice was consumed thrice daily. Finally it became a drug of longevity, rejuvenation and resurrection even god Soma. As drug it was substituted by...

Sympathomimetic agents have a poor history of long-term success in the treatment of obesity. From earlier experiences with amphetamine and its analogs, to more recent drugs with direct effects on adrenergic receptors or indirect effects from release of catecholamines or inhibition of reuptake, cardiovascular toxicity (strokes and cardiac arrhythmias) has been the major concern. These concerns a...