Ephedraceae · stem
Ma huang
Ephedra sinica
Stem mapped as the classical diaphoretic for Wind-Cold excess and as a toxicity warning for ephedrine alkaloids.
Safety first
Dietary ephedrine alkaloids are banned in the US. Pressor stimulant: hypertension, stroke, arrhythmia, death in unsupervised 'weight-loss' use. Classical Wind-Cold diaphoretic is not a DIY tea. Toxicity warning entry.
This entry exists so you do not use the plant casually. It is not a treatment suggestion.
Tradition vs trials
Traditional record. Bensky: Ma Huang releases the exterior, disperses cold, and disseminates Lung Qi. Ma Huang Tang is historical — do not reconstruct.
Trial literature. Ephedrine is a well-studied sympathomimetic. That is pharmacology, not permission.
Practical ranges
Educational ranges — not a prescription. Culinary use is not an extract.
stem
Classical formula ranges exist in texts; this catalog will not present them as a DIY range
Chinese Pharmacopoeia / Bensky — Educational range only — not a prescription. A licensed clinician individualizes product, dose, and duration.
Pregnancy, nursing, children
- Pregnancy. Avoid.
- Nursing. Avoid.
- Children. Not a pediatric DIY plant.
Contraindications
- unsupervised use
- hypertension
- heart disease
- dietary weight-loss use
Key interactions
- MAOIs / decongestants / stimulants / uncontrolled hypertension · contraindicated
Pressor stacking.