These terms are used to refer to the same substance
derived from the plant Ephedra. (There are many common names for these
evergreen plants, including squaw tea and Mormon tea.) Ephedra is
a shrub-like plant that is found in desert regions in central Asia
and other parts of the world. The dried greens of the plant are used
medicinally. Ephedra is a stimulant containing the herbal form of
ephedrine, an FDA-regulated drug found in over-the-counter asthma
medications.
In the United States, ephedra and ephedrine are sold
in health food stores under
a variety of brand names. Ephedrine is widely used for weight
loss, as an energy booster, and to enhance athletic performance. These
products often contain other stimulants, such as caffeine, which may
have synergistic effects and increase the potential for adverse
effects. Ephedra is often touted as the "herbal fen-phen."
