What is Ephedrine?
[[File:Ephedrine enantiomers.svg|thumb|The two [[enantiomer]]s of ephedrine]] '''Ephedrine''' (or EPH) is an [[alkaloid]] found in [[plant]]s of the [[genus]] [[Ephedra]]. It can also be found in other plants like [[wolfsbane]] or the [[Euopean yew]]. == Uses == Ephedrine has effects on the [[human body]]. It can be used as a [[stimulant]] or a [[decongestant]]. It is also used to treat certain forms of [[blood pressure|low blood pressure]] or to help [[hunger]]. Ephedrine is like [[amphetamine]] and [[methamphetamine]].{{cn}} The [[herb]] ''má huáng'' (麻黄, ''[[Ephedra sinica]]'') is used in traditional [[Chinese medicine]]. It has ephedrine and [[pseudoephedrine]] in it. [[Nagayoshi Nagai]] was the first person to take ephedrine from ''[[Ephedra vulgaris]]'' in [[1885]]. The substance called [[soma]], mentioned in old [[Hindu]] books such as the [[Rig Veda]], may have been ephedra extract. Ephedrine is sometimes used for [[Doping in sport|doping]], usually together with [[caffeine]] and [[salicylic acid]].There have been lots of controversies related to ephedrine. <ref name=Ephedra>Ephedrine,Ban. https://www.cutz-n-gainz.com/ephedrin/ephedrin-skandal-90er-ephedra-ban-2004/ {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200825065853/https://www.cutz-n-gainz.com/ephedrin/ephedrin-skandal-90er-ephedra-ban-2004/ |date=2020-08-25 }}</ref> The production of ephedrine in [[China]] has become a [[multi-million]] dollar [[industry]]. Companies extract [[USD|$]]13 million worth of ephedrine from 30,000 tons of ephedra per year, 10 times the amount that is used in traditional Chinese medicine.<ref name=Chen> Long, Professor. http://www.chinadialogue.net/article/show/single/en/692-Chinese-medicine-s-great-waste-of-resources</ref> == Related pages == * [[Pseudoephedrine]] *[[List of chemicals in doping cases in sport]] ==References== {{reflist}} {{Phenethylamines}} {{Alkaloids}} {{authority control}} [[Category:Organonitrogen compounds]] [[Category:Bronchodilators]]