Ephedra use has been recorded in Ancient times as well as Asian, Egyptian, Greek and Roman times and more recently in early European and American civilizations where it has found varied uses throughout time.

The oldest example of Ephedra usage was discovered in an ancient Neanderthal burial site in Iraq (known as Shanidar IV ). This dates Ephedra use to 50,000 years or 48,000BC. It is unclear how the herb was used, however the ancients must have valued it greatly to include it among items prepared for the afterlife.

More recent Ephedra use dates back 5,000 years, to 3000 B.C. where its usage in Chinese medicine was more prevalent.

The best documented usage was in Asia as an as an elixir for Asthma and upper respiratory infections. The Chinese recognized all those centuries ago what a beneficial remedy and healing agent this mysterious plant was. The reason Ephedra worked so well for Asthma and bronchitis then, as it does now, is based on the fact that Ephedra has the ability to open up the adrenergic receptor sites which are found in the heart and lungs, allowing patients less constricted breathing.

Fast forward out of Asia to 80 A.D. where Ephedra was documented by a Greek physician known as, Dioscorides. Then, in the late 1880’s, scientists isolated Ephedra from Ma Haung. This brought Western Medicine into the picture, and by the early 1990’s Ephedrine was being marketed as a weight loss supplement. From that point, the FDA became involved, and that’s a whole other story.

With a long history of healing, Ephedra (also known as Ma Haung), actually comes from a plant containing powerful active properties and compounds. Ephedrine is the most useful and potent property of the plant. The ancient Chinese healers not only prescribed it as remedy for colds, allergies, and congested breathing, but also as a “feel good” elixir. Additionally, Ephedra has been long touted as a tonic for well-being that contributes to general health, acts as a natural stimulant and appetite suppressant.