A genus of shrubs containing alkaloids, historically used in traditional medicine and as a source of the stimulant ephedrine.
From Latin ephedra, borrowed from Greek ephedra, literally meaning 'sitting upon' from epi- (upon) + hedra (seat, base). The name refers to the plant's jointed stems that appear to sit upon each other in segments.
Ephedra was called 'ma huang' in traditional Chinese medicine for over 5,000 years before Western science isolated ephedrine from it in 1887. This humble desert shrub became the foundation for many modern decongestants and bronchodilators, proving that ancient wisdom sometimes anticipates modern pharmacology.
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