Ephedra sinica is another derivative known under the Chinese name of Ma Huang and is used for weight loss, and energy boosts among those who are active.

Ephedrine is the chemical derivative of the herb Ephedra sinica; it stimulates the central nervous system and cardiovascular system as well as dilation of the bronchial tubes. Any product that contains ephedrine can use the compound that is extracted from Ephedra, or it can be produced synthetically. The FDA regulates ephedrine, the synthesized form of ephedra. Ephedrine can be produced by chemical synthesis and in its pure form (ephedrine sulfate) is a bitter tasting, white, powder.

Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine stimulate the opening of air passages in the lungs and are used as decongestants for the short-term treatment of asthma, bronchitis, and certain allergic reactions.

The history of Ephedra is that it was used by the Chinese to treat respiratory problems such as asthma. The Ephedra grass is grown and cultivated in India and China with China being the world's biggest producer of ephedrine.

Here in the U.S. ephedra and ephedrine are sold in health food and nutritional supplement stores and well as online distributors. Used commonly for weight loss, it is also used as an energy booster and for the enhancement of athletic performance. It is usually taken orally with common doses being around 30-60 mg in the form of a capsule or tablet and is commonly found in nutrition supplement drinks, protein drinks and energy drink formulas.

In December of 2003, the Government announced that it was placing a ban on selling all Ephedra products stating the substance was unsafe. This ban was lifted the following April after a Utah based company challenged the ruling on the ban.

The Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act (DSHEA), passed in 1994, amended the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938 to change how dietary supplements were to be regulated and labeled. Under the DSHEA, dietary supplements had been classified as foods and not as drugs. The judge ruled, in accordance with the DSHEA, the FDA could not place the burden to prove safety on dietary supplement manufacturers as it does for drug makers.

Because this ban has been lifted there are now many Ephedra based products on the market today. It does have the ability to aid in increasing one's metabolism and is used in diet pills and other forms of nutritional supplements such as energy drinks, tablets and capsules to assist with weight loss.