Stimulants: Ma Huang and Ephedrine

Question 1

what is the earliest recognized and used for the naturally occurring effects?

Answer 1

• plant psychostimulants are ma huang

- Ephedra sinica

Question 2

what does the name “ma huang” mean?

Answer 2

• A Chinese herb that comes from a leafless, desert shrub known as the “horsetail plant”

Question 3

when was the use of this drug first documented?

Answer 3

• as far back as 3000BC

Question 4

what is the main active ingredient? and what was it used for?

Answer 4

• sympathomimetic ephedrine

- ephedrine is a bronchodilator and still occurs in many over the counter medications for asthma and nasal decongestion

Question 5

what is the current use of ephedrine?

Answer 5

• intended for legitimate medical purposes and is often diverted into the illegal production of methamphetamine (they would buy huge quantities of nasal decongestion spray to get the ephedrine)