Ephedra
Ephedra sinica
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae Division: Gnetophyta Class: Gnetopsida Order: Ephedrales Family: Ephedraceae Genus: Ephedra L. Species: E. sinica
Binomial name
Ephedra sinica Stapf[1]

Ephedra sinica is a plant in the family Ephedraceae, native to China. It is also known as "Chinese Ephedra", Ma Huang, "Mormon tea", and "ephedra".

Ethnomedical uses

Main article: ephedra

Further information: ephedrine

• Dried aerial parts are used to treat asthma, allergic rhinitis, upper respiratory infection, colds, and is used as a general stimulant.

The whole plant contains approximately 2.2% ephedrine.^[2]

Side Effects

Ephedrine can cause heart problems and addiction.

Legality

As of April 21^st, 2006, in the United States of America, the FDA's decision to prohibit nutritional/diet supplements from containing the plant or extracts thereof of was upheld by the Tenth Circuit courts.

U.S. federal congress is currently discussing the scheduling of pseudoephedrine into Schedule V. Jan 2005. The bill created in Congress is S 103, Jan 24, 2005.

References

• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/ephedra/NS_patient-ephedra
• http://www.fda.gov/oc/initiatives/ephedra/february2004/
• http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/Organizations/DDIL/ephedrine.html
• http://data.opi.state.mt.us/bills/mca/50/32/50-32-229.htm

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Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Ephedra sinica". Image Credit.

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