Ephedra sinica has been used in China for at least 5,000 years to support health un many ways, and there is mention of its use in the Hindu Vedas as well. This plant supports the sympathetic nervous system and assists the body in relaxing the muscles of the lungs and widening airways as with bronchodilators. According to lore, the mythological ruler Shennong discovered this shrub’s effects when leaves from the plant being burned in his fire rose up into his pot of boiling water. Since the first or second century, Ma-huang has been referenced in Chinese medical texts throughout history. Another title for this plant is ‘Long Sha,’ or, ‘Dragon Sand.’
Alongside being staple herb in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ephedra has also had use in contemporary Western medicine practices for supporting asthma, allergies, and other respiratory ailments. This herb is the source of the alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, the former promoting arousal of the nervous system and a slightly elevate blood pressure and heart rate, with the latter having the opposite effect. These combined and somewhat opposing properties are said to overall balance the body.
One should note that the chemically isolated constitute, ephedra, by distilling a plant down to one small part of its holistic nature, can have harmful effects. Ephedra was first isolated in 1885 by Nagai, but didn’t gain popularity until rediscovery in the 1920s. Its use as an asthma ‘miracle cure’ persisted until the 1950s, after which the alkaloid saw a decline in use. This was a result of overstimulating the nervous system, elevating blood pressure and heart rate to a potentially dangerous extent; studies have shown that this adverse reaction is not observed with use of the whole plant. One should take care in any preparations involving Ephedra, but know that medicine made from the whole plant is far safer than isolating it into one stand-alone component.
