ephedra
See also: Ephedra
English
![](Images/wiktionary/Ephedra_distachya_(cones)_2011_3.jpg.webp)
The ripe cones of a female Ephedra distachya subsp. monostachya. Saratov, Russia.
![](Images/wiktionary/Maou.jpg.webp)
Ephedra sinica.
Etymology
From Ancient Greek ἐφέδρα (ephédra, “sitting upon”), from ἐπί (epí, “upon”) + ἕδρα (hédra, “seat”).
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈɛfɪdɹə/, /ɪˈfɛdɹə/
Audio (southern England) (file)
Noun
ephedra (countable and uncountable, plural ephedras)
- Any plant of the genus Ephedra of gymnosperm shrubs.
- A stimulant derived from the plant Ephedra sinica used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine and in over-the-counter weight-loss aids.
- 2009 February 10, Natasha Singer, “F.D.A. Finds ‘Natural’ Diet Pills Laced With Drugs”, in New York Times:
- Consider ephedra, an herbal stimulant that gained popularity as a weight-loss supplement in the 1990s — until hundreds of people reported ephedra-related problems including heart attacks, seizures and even deaths.
- 2013 March 1, David S. Senchina, “Athletics and Herbal Supplements”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 2, page 134:
- Athletes' use of herbal supplements has skyrocketed in the past two decades. At the top of the list of popular herbs are echinacea and ginseng, whereas garlic, St. John's wort, soybean, ephedra and others are also surging in popularity or have been historically prevalent.
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Synonyms
- (plant): jointfir
Derived terms
- gray ephedra
- green ephedra
- Nevada ephedra
Translations
plant
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Further reading
ephedra on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
Ephedra (plant) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
Ephedra on Wikispecies.Wikispecies
Ephedra on Wikimedia Commons.Wikimedia Commons
- Ephedra at USDA Plants database
Anagrams
- prehead