mahuang

plant

Also known as: Ephedra sinica, Ephedra vulgaris, ma huang

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Last updated

July 23, 2026

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Mahuang, also known as Ephedra sinica, is a plant native to East Asia that has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for at least 4,000 years. It is a source of the alkaloid ephedrine, which has been used to treat asthma and other respiratory conditions.123

Mahuang belongs to the genus Ephedra, which consists of shrubs found in dry regions worldwide. These plants typically have green stems where photosynthesis occurs, and their leaves are reduced to scales to minimize water loss. In traditional Chinese medicine, mahuang is used to restore the balance of yin and yang, fundamental principles in their medical system.41

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ephedra
Major species and uses
Various Asian plants, particularly ma huang (Ephedra sinica), have been used as sources of the drug ephedrine. Ephedra has been a common herbal medicine in China for thousands of years, and several species are important in Ayurvedic medicine. Ephedrine is prescribed for colds, to break a fever and induce…
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Various Asian plants, particularly ma huang (Ephedra sinica), have been used as sources of the drug ephedrine. Ephedra has been a common herbal medicine in China for thousands of years, and several species are important in Ayurvedic medicine. Ephedrine is prescribed for colds, to break a fever and induce…
Read More

ephedrine
…Ephedra, particularly the Chinese species E. sinica, and it has been used in China for more than 5,000 years to treat asthma and hay fever. It is effective when administered orally, and its effects persist for several hours, in contrast to the shorter-acting norepinephrine. Since the 1920s synthetic ephedrine has…
Read More
…Ephedra, particularly the Chinese species E. sinica, and it has been used in China for more than 5,000 years to treat asthma and hay fever. It is effective when administered orally, and its effects persist for several hours, in contrast to the shorter-acting norepinephrine. Since the 1920s synthetic ephedrine has…
Read More

history of medicine
China
The herb mahuang (Ephedra vulgaris) has been used in China for at least 4,000 years, and the isolation of the alkaloid ephedrine from it has greatly improved the Western treatment of asthma and similar conditions.
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The herb mahuang (Ephedra vulgaris) has been used in China for at least 4,000 years, and the isolation of the alkaloid ephedrine from it has greatly improved the Western treatment of asthma and similar conditions.
Read More