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Ephedra sinica
|  Botanical name: Ephedra sinica
Better known as: Ephedra, Ma Huang
Family name: Ephedraceae
Natural habitat: China, South Siberia, Japan
The Chinese herb Ephedra sinica, which is better known as Ma Huang in its country of origin, is used as a medicine by the Chinese for over more than 5000 years. In Chinese culture the breath is considered the source of living, and each herb that improves breathing, is considered as holy. Ephedra sinica is such a herb and it plays a large role remedies against complaints such as cold, asthma, cough, head pain and hay fever.
The operating substance in Ephedra nevadensis is ephedrine which stimulates the central nerve system. Nowadays ephedrine has a regular appearance in cough syrups (frequently in combination with codeine) and weight loss products (frequently in combination with caffeine). The most important aspect of ephedrine is the energy-giving aspect. Therefore the herb is mostly used as an energizer. However, after a huge worldwide sale of all kinds of feeding supplements which contain ephedrine, it is these products that are now being thrown out of the market. Mostly because of stronger pulsation and blood pressure dangers that the use of these products can cause. | 
The Ephedra nevandensis is very easy to grow. Plant the seeds in the autumn on dry a spot (indoors) at a temperature around and about 20 degrees Celsius. Around springtime it is possible to move your young plant out to the garden. In loose, rough and rather dry soil (cactus soil for example) the Ephedra nevandensis does best. Be thrifty with water. The plant is well accustomed to full sun and warmth. A healthy plant can continue growing for many years.
The shrub can become both 1.5 meter high as broad, and in its adult life it has the shape of a somewhow reversed brush. During theire life, the almost leaveless stems colour from pale - to olive green (sometimes also yellow) and the seeds are brown. The male plants flourish in spring with small yellowgreen flowers. In the wild the Ephedra nevandensis prefers dry areas and growingspots at 1000 - 1500 meters altitude on rocky slopes and hillocks.
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