WASHINGTON (Reuter) The U.S. Food and Drug Administration said Monday it
wants to limit the amount of the natural stimulant ephedrine in dietary
supplements, and to warn users about the compound's dangers.

``Consumers should be aware that just because a product is labeled 'natural'
or from an herbal source it is not guaranteed to be safe,'' Dr. Michael
Friedman, deputy FDA commissioner, said in a statement.

People with hypertension, heart conditions and neurologic disorders should
avoid using ephedrine alkaloids, as should pregnant women, the FDA said.

The FDA does not seek to ban ephedrine alkaloids, the active ingredient in
some dietary supplements aimed at increasing energy, losing weight and
bodybuilding.

However, after hundreds of reports of consumer illnesses and injuries, the
agency sought to prohibit the sale of dietary supplements that contain eight
milligrams of ephedrine or more per serving.

In addition, the FDA said it wanted to warn consumers on product labels not
to use dietary supplements that contain ephedrine for more than seven days.
Products that encourage excessive shortterm consumption would be required
to carry a label warning that ``Taking more than the recommended serving may
result in heart attack, stroke, seizure or death.''

Usually derived from one of several species of herbs of the genus Ephedra,
the substance is also known as Ma huang, Chinese Ephedra and epitonin.

Reported adverse effects associated with ephedrine ranged from episodes of
high blood pressure, irregularities in heart rate, insomnia, nervousness,
tremors and headaches, to seizures, heart attacks, strokes and death, the FDA
said.