| Chinese ephedra (Cao Ma Huang—草麻黄) | |
|---|---|
| |
| Ephedra sinica | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Gymnosperms |
| Division: | Gnetophyta |
| Class: | Gnetopsida |
| Order: | Ephedrales |
| Family: | Ephedraceae |
| Genus: | Ephedra |
| Species: |
E. sinica
|
| Binomial name | |
|
Ephedra sinica Stapf
| |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Ephedra sinica (also known as Chinese ephedra or Ma Huang) is a species of Ephedra native to Mongolia, Russia (Buryatiya, Chita, Primorye), and northeastern China (Gansu, Hebei, Heilongjiang, Jilin, Liaoning, Nei Mongol, Ningxia, Shaanxi, Shanxi).
Uses
Medicinal
It is the primary source of the medicinal preparation ephedra, also known by its Chinese name ma huang. It has been proposed as a candidate for the legendary soma of the Rigveda.
See also
- Chinese medicine
- Ephedra (the genus of plants)
- Ephedra (US-specific page on ephedrine-containing dietary supplements, observed (negative) health effects of these, and corresponding regulatory actions toward them)
- List of herbs with known adverse effects