What does ephedra mean?
Ephedra is a genus of hardy, broom-like shrubs found in arid regions across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas, characterized by jointed green stems and tiny scale-like leaves rather than true foliage. The genus is best known as the source of ephedrine, an alkaloid long used to treat asthma and nasal congestion. In traditional Chinese medicine, dried Ephedra sinica — known as ma huang — has been valued for millennia. In the late twentieth century, ephedra extracts became popular as weight-loss and energy supplements, but concerns over cardiovascular risks led the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to ban their sale in dietary supplements in 2004. Today the word appears most often in botanical, pharmacological, or regulatory contexts.
Any shrub of the gymnosperm genus Ephedra, having jointed green stems and reduced scale-like leaves, native to dry temperate and tropical regions.
"Ephedra thrives in the sandy soils of the American Southwest."
An extract or preparation of certain ephedra species containing the stimulant alkaloid ephedrine, formerly used in dietary supplements and decongestants.
"Athletes were advised to avoid products containing ephedra before competitions."
Used when referring to multiple individual plants of the genus; uncountable when referring to the substance or extract.
"Several different ephedras grow along the desert trail."
Ephedra gave the world ephedrine — the compound behind both modern asthma inhalers and one of the most controversial weight-loss supplements ever banned by the FDA.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of ephedra
The word 'ephedra' derives from New Latin, adopted into modern scientific nomenclature from Greek 'ephedros', meaning 'sitting upon' or 'placed upon' (from 'epi-' meaning 'upon' and 'hedra' meaning 'seat'), likely referring to the way the plant's stems appear seated or positioned on one another at the joints. The related term 'ephedrine' was coined later for the alkaloid isolated from the plant.
How ephedra is actually used
In scientific contexts 'ephedra' refers to the genus and is capitalized when used formally as a taxonomic name. In health and regulatory contexts it typically refers to the herbal extract. Plural is 'ephedras' for individual plants.
Easily confused with ephedra
Hedera is the botanical genus name for ivy, whereas ephedra is a genus of desert shrubs used medicinally.