Ephedra

An herb used in traditional Chinese medicine as a treatment for respiratory illnesses (asthma, colds) and hay fever.  Known as “Ma Huang,” ephedra was once a common ingredient in over-the-counter “natural” weight loss supplements, as it’s a source of ephedrine, a sympathomimetic amine.

It is currently illegal to sell ephedra and/or ephedrine alkaloids as dietary supplements.