ephedra (redirected from ephedras)

Ephedra /Ephed·ra/ (e-fed´rah) a genus of low, branching shrubs indigenous to China and India. E. equiseti´na Bunge., E. sini´ca Stapf., E. vulga´ris, and other species (all called ma huang in China) are sources of ephedrine.

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e·phed·ra (-fdr, f-dr)

n.

1. Any of various mostly shrubby gymnosperms of the genus Ephedra, some of which (especially E. sinica) are used as a source of ephedrine.

2. A stimulant derived from a plant of this genus.

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ephedra,

n Latin names:
Ephedra sinica, Ephedra nevadensis, Ephedra trifurca, Ephedra equisetina, Ephedra distachya; parts used: leaves, seeds; uses: asthma, bronchitis, headaches, congestion, arthritis, weight loss; precautions: pregnancy, lactation, children younger than age 12; patients with sympathomimetics, glaucoma, seizures, hyperthyroidism, diabetes, arrhythmias, heart blockage, hypertension, prostatic hypertrophy, tachycardia, angina pectoris, and psychological disorders; considered unsafe by the FDA; can cause palpitations, tachycardia, hypertension, arrhythmias, stroke, heart attacks, heart failure, insomnia, anxiety, hallucinations, tremors, seizures, nausea, constipation, diarrhea, dysuria, urinary retention, dermatitis, dyspnea, contractions of the uterus. Also called
Brigham tea, cao ma huang, desert tea, epitonin, herba ephedrae, herbal, joint fir, ma huang, mahuanggen, Mexican tea, Mormon tea, muzei mu huang, natural ecstasy, popotillo, sea grape, squaw tea, teamster's tea, yellow astringent, yellow horse, and
zhong ma huang. See also ma huang.