Ephedra 

This fact sheet provides basic information about the herb ephedra—common 

names, uses, potential side effects, and resources for more information. 

Ephedra is an evergreen shrub-like plant native to Central Asia and Mongolia. 

The principal active ingredient, ephedrine, is a compound that can powerfully 

stimulate the nervous system and heart. 

Common Names—ephedra, Chinese ephedra, ma huang 

Latin Name—Ephedra sinica 

What It Is Used For 

•	 Ephedra has been used for more than 5,000 years in China and India to 

treat conditions such as colds, fever, flu, headaches, asthma, wheezing, 

and nasal congestion. 

•	 It has also been an ingredient in many dietary supplements used for weight 

loss, increased energy, and enhanced athletic performance. 

How It Is Used 

The dried stems and leaves of the plant are used to create capsules, tablets, 

extracts, tinctures, and teas. 

What the Science Says 

•	 An NCCAM-funded study that analyzed phone calls to poison control 

centers found a higher rate of side effects from ephedra, compared with 

other herbal products. 

•	 Other studies and systematic reviews have found an increased risk of heart, 

psychiatric, and gastrointestinal problems, as well as high blood pressure 

and stroke, with ephedra use. 

•	 According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), there is little evidence 

of ephedra’s effectiveness, except for short-term weight loss. However, the 

increased risk of heart problems and stroke outweighs any benefits. 

Side Effects and Cautions 

•	 In 2004, the FDA banned the U.S. sale of dietary supplements containing 

ephedra. The FDA found that these supplements had an unreasonable risk 

of injury or illness—particularly cardiovascular complications—and a risk of 

death. The ban does not apply to traditional Chinese herbal remedies or to 

products like herbal teas regulated as conventional foods.∗

∗

 Products regulated as drugs that contain chemically synthesized ephedrine are not dietary 

supplements and are not covered by this rule. These include drugs used for the short-term 

treatment of asthma, bronchitis, and allergic reactions. 
 

 

•	 Between 1995 and 1997, the FDA received more than 900 reports of possible ephedra toxicity. 

Serious adverse events such as stroke, heart attack, and sudden death were reported in 37 cases. 

•	 Using ephedra may worsen many health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, kidney 

disease, sleep disorders, and diabetes. 

•	 Taking ephedra can also result in nausea, anxiety, headache, psychosis, kidney stones, 

tremors, dry mouth, irregular heart rhythms, heart damage, high blood pressure, 

restlessness, sleep problems, irritation of the stomach, and increased urination. 

•	 Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding and children should avoid taking ephedra. 

•	 Ephedra use may lead to serious health problems when used with other dietary 

supplements or medicines. 

•	 Combining ephedra with caffeine increases the risk of potentially serious side effects. 

•	 Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you 

use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure 

coordinated and safe care. 

Sources 

National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. Ephedra. National Center for Complementary and Alternative 

Medicine Web site. Accessed at http://nccam.nih.gov/health/alerts/ephedra/consumeradvisory.htm on July 9, 2007. 

Ephedra (Ma Huang). In: Coates P, Blackman M, Cragg G, et al., eds. Encyclopedia of Dietary Supplements. New York, NY: 

Marcel Dekker; 2005:189-195. 

Ephedra (Ephedra sinica)/Ma huang. Natural Standard Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturalstandard.com 

on July 3, 2007. 

Ephedra. In: Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckman J, eds. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, 

MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:110-117. 

Ephedra. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Web site. Accessed at http://www.naturaldatabase.com on July 6, 2007. 

For More Information 

Visit the NCCAM Web site at nccam.nih.gov and view: 

•	 What’s in the Bottle? An Introduction to Dietary Supplements at nccam.nih.gov/health/bottle/ 

•	 Herbal Supplements: Consider Safety, Too at nccam.nih.gov/health/supplement-safety/ 

NCCAM Clearinghouse 

Toll-free in the U.S.: 1-888-644-6226 

TTY (for deaf and hard-of-hearing callers): 1-866-464-3615 

E-mail: info@nccam.nih.gov 

CAM on PubMed 

Web site: nccam.nih.gov/camonpubmed/ 

NIH Office of Dietary Supplements 

Web site: www.ods.od.nih.gov 

NIH National Library of Medicine’s MedlinePlus 

Ephedra Listing: www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-ephedra.html 

This publication is not copyrighted and is in the public domain. Duplication is encouraged. 

NCCAM has provided this material for your information. It is not intended to substitute for the 

medical expertise and advice of your primary health care provider. We encourage you to discuss 

any decisions about treatment or care with your health care provider. The mention of any product, 

service, or therapy is not an endorsement by NCCAM. 

National Institutes of Health 

♦♦♦

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services 

D336 

Created December 2006 

Updated April 2008 

*D336*