ephedra, an evergreen herb found throughout the world. Also called ma huang. ▪ INDICATIONS: The sale of ephedra was banned in the United States by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 2003 because of safety concerns (e.g., highlighted by the death of baseball pitcher Steve Bechler), making it the first over-the-counter nutritional supplement to be banned. This herb was used for seasonal and chronic asthma, nasal congestion, and cough. It is not banned in Canada but is highly restricted in its use. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: People cultivating their own ephedra should be aware that it is contraindicated in those with known hypersensitivity to sympathomimetics, women who are pregnant or lactating, children less than 12 years of age, and people with narrow-angle glaucoma, seizure disorders, hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, prostatic hypertrophy, arrhythmias, heart block, hypertension, psychosis, tachycardia, and angina pectoris.
