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• n  Chinese ephedra yielding ephedrine

• Most contain the controversial ingredient ephedra (a Chinese herb also known as mahuang) or ephedrine.
• HERBAL HAZARD You may not have heard of ephedrine, but some 12 million Americans consume the stimulant--extracted from the herb mahuang--in dozens of over-the-counter weight-loss .
• They contain ephedrine, also called mahuang or ephedra, which may cause heart attacks, seizures and even death.

• Ephedra sinica