Ephedra

　Ephedra (Ephedra) is a herbal medicine and is also called "mao". According to the commentary on the Japanese Pharmacopoeia, Ephedraceae (Ephedra.Sinica), Imao (Ephedra. Intermedia), Kidachi Maau (Ephedra. Equisetina) are dried and the herbal medicine "Maou (Ephedra). The Chinese name is written in kanji as "Mahhuang" (ma huang) and transliterated. The Japanese name is also written as "Mahhu" in kanji.

　"Maou" as a crude drug is used as a remedy for coughing and sputum, and is also included in cold medicine in herbal medicine such as Maotou and Kakonto. The main ingredient of "maou" is ephedrin and contains psooidephedrin, methylene, etc.

　In Japan, "maou" and its main ingredient ephedrin cannot be used for anything other than pharmaceuticals, but in 2002, the content of use was regulated in the United States, but it can be used for health foods, and many people on diet. ※。
※Currently, ephedras are banned in the United States.

　Ephedrin is a sympathetic nerve agent, and when taken, the bronchi expands and blood pressure. Ephedrin hydrochloride, a pharmaceutical, is used as a bronchial extension agent during asthma, antitussis, and booster. Other effects include anorexia, increased heart rate, increased body temperature, sweating, etc., and it is thought that the traders used ephedra as diet foods by paying attention to these effects. Ephedra (Maou) is an important drug with a long history in Chinese herbal medicine. However, I think it's very scary that ephedras are being distributed in ways that are not used as a treatment for diseases.