ephedra sinica

Ephedra sinica is a shrub native to Asia and is one of the primary sources of the herbal product known as "ephedra" or "ma huang." It has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for thousands of years to treat conditions such as asthma, bronchitis, colds, influenza, allergies, hives, and to promote urination. The main pharmacologically active constituents are alkaloids including ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. These compounds act as non-selective sympathomimetic agents with both alpha- and beta-adrenergic activity. They stimulate the central nervous system (CNS), increase heart rate and blood pressure (via vasoconstriction), relax bronchial smooth muscle (bronchodilation), suppress appetite (anorectic effect), and can have antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects. Due to significant safety concerns—including risk of hypertension, arrhythmia, stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attack), seizures, psychosis and death—dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids from Ephedra sinica have been banned in many countries including the United States[2][3][4][5][7].

Other names

ephedrama huangChinese ephedrayellow astringentyellow horse