Common Names: Ephedra, Chinese ephedra, Ma Huang Botanical Name: Ephedra sinica Background • Ephedra is a small, evergreen plant known for its thin, jointed stems and small, scale-like leaves. It is most commonly sourced from the stems and branches of Ephedra sinica. • Traditionally used in countries such as China and India, ephedra has been utilized to help relieve symptoms like colds, fevers, headaches, nasal congestion, coughs, and breathing difficulties like wheezing. • In 2004, the U.S.