Ephedra
Ephedra sinica · 麻黄
Herbs & Roots. Chinese Medicine.
Also called Ma huang, Chinese ephedra, Joint fir, Ephedra herb
Pinyin: Má huáng
Spanish: Efedra
Stroke and heart attack riskThe green stems of a desert shrub that contain ephedrine, a strong stimulant that can cause serious heart and stroke harm.
Did you know? In 2004 the US FDA banned ephedra dietary supplements, the first time the agency had banned a dietary supplement.
What it may help, and how strong the proof is
- Weight. Ephedra with caffeine gave modest short-term weight loss in some trials. Long-term data are lacking, and the heart and stroke risks were too high.Early proof
- Breathing & asthma. Ephedrine opens airways as a drug, but whole-herb products were never shown to be safe. Traditional use for wheezing is the main basis.Traditional proof
- Fever. Used in tradition for chills and fever without sweating. Little modern human research exists.Traditional proof
Parts of the body
Traditional use
Traditional Chinese Medicine has used ma huang for wind-cold colds with chills and no sweating, and for wheezing. Its stems appear in classic formulas such as Ma Huang Tang, which are used only under expert care.
How it is classified
- Herbal actions
- Stimulant, Antispasmodic, Diaphoretic. Energy: warming.
- Chinese medicine
- 麻黄 Release the exterior. Nature: warm. Flavour: pungent, bitter. Enters the Lung and Bladder channels.
How people take it
In traditional practice, a few grams of dried stem were simmered with other herbs, under a practitioner's guidance. Ephedra supplements are banned in the United States, and self-dosing is not advised.
Decoction and capsule.
Where to get it
A low, woody shrub of dry, sandy areas in northern China and Mongolia. Stems are harvested and dried. Some herb shops and online sellers still offer ephedra products in some countries.
Be careful
Ephedrine can raise heart rate and blood pressure. It has been linked to heart attack, stroke, seizure, irregular heartbeat and deaths, especially with caffeine. Avoid it completely in pregnancy, breastfeeding and children, and with heart disease, high blood pressure or thyroid disease.
Avoid if: pregnancy; breastfeeding; children under 12; high blood pressure; heart disease; thyroid disease.
Mixing with other things
- Works well together
Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction) pairs ephedra with cinnamon twig, apricot kernel and licorice for chills and wheezing. It is a classic formula for expert use only.
- Works well together
Also in Ma Huang Tang, where apricot kernel helps ease wheezing and cough.
- Works well together
Also in Ma Huang Tang, where licorice is added to moderate the formula.
- Don't mixAntidepressants (Zoloft, Prozac, Lexapro and others)
Combined with MAOI antidepressants, ephedrine can cause a dangerous rise in blood pressure.
- Don't mixBlood pressure medicine (lisinopril, amlodipine, losartan)
Ephedrine raises blood pressure, which works against blood pressure medicines.
- Don't mixHeart rhythm medicine (digoxin, amiodarone)
Its stimulant effects can speed the heart and trigger rhythm problems, which is risky with heart medicines.
The honest take
Ephedra is one of the most dangerous herbs in this guide. Its chemical ephedrine caused serious harm and deaths, and the US banned ephedra supplements in 2004. The traditional uses are real, but the herb is not safe for home use.