ephedra

What it means

1. countableuncountableAny plant of the genus Ephedra of gymnosperm shrubs.
2. countableuncountableA stimulant derived from the plant Ephedra sinica used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine and in over-the-counter weight-loss aids.

   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.

   2009 February 10, Natasha Singer, “F.D.A. Finds ‘Natural’ Diet Pills Laced With Drugs”, in New York Times

   1 more example

   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.

   2013 March 28, David S. Senchina, “Athletics and Herbal Supplements”, in American Scientist, volume 101, number 2, archived from the original on 16 May 2013, page 134

In a sentence

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.

2009 February 10, Natasha Singer, “F.D.A. Finds ‘Natural’ Diet Pills Laced With Drugs”, in New York Times

Where it comes from

1. Ancient Greekἐφέδρα“sitting upon”
2. Englishephedra

From Ancient Greek ἐφέδρα (ephédra, “sitting upon”), from ἐπί (epí, “upon”) + ἕδρα (hédra, “seat”).