✓
No active regulatory warnings
Sources: FDA MedWatch, EMA EudraVigilance, WHO VigiBase, WADA Prohibited List · 2026-05-29
Updated: 2026-05-29 · v2.0 · Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD📎 Cite 📄 PDF
1 Identity

Ma Huang Analog Herbs

Ephedra intermedia / equisetina / other spp.
Use with CautionEvidence: LimitedRestricted
Category entry for botanical sources of ephedrine-type alkaloids BESIDES Ephedra sinica — including Sida cordifolia (country mallow), Pinellia ternata, and other plants containing ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, or methylephedrine [1]. These plants are used to circumvent the 2004 ephedra ban by providing the same banned alkaloids from 'alternative' botanical sources. Same cardiovascular risks: MI, stroke, sudden death. FDA enforcement against these is less consistent than against ephedra itself [1].
4
Ma Huang Analog Herbs
Ephedra intermedia / equisetina / other spp.
Use with CautionLimitedRestricted
Clinical verdict: Ma Huang analogs are plants containing ephedrine/pseudoephedrine from NON-Ephedra sources — used to evade the 2004 ephedra ban. Same drug, different plant = same danger. Includes Sida cordifolia, Pinellia, and others. Same cardiovascular risks: MI, stroke, death. Regulatory loophole exploitation [1].
RDA
NOT recommended
Target
N/A
UL
No safe OTC dose
Category
Restricted
Population dosing
2 Risk self-assessment
HIGH RISK — see overview [1].
Select factors above to see your risk level
Clinical pearl for practitioners
SupplementIndex
Ma Huang Analog Herbs
Ephedra intermedia / equisetina / other spp. · Use with Caution · Evidence: Limited
RDA
NOT recommended
Upper limit
No safe OTC dose
Evidence
Limited
Clinical bottom line
Ma Huang analogs are plants containing ephedrine/pseudoephedrine from NON-Ephedra sources — used to evade the 2004 ephedra ban. Same drug, different plant = same danger. Includes Sida cordifolia, Pinellia, and others. Same cardiovascular risks: MI, stroke, death. Regulatory loophole exploitation [1].
Do not miss
⚠ HIGH RISK — see overview [1]
Pregnancy
CONTRAINDICATED — same as ephedra [1].
4 Lab interpreter

See overview

<12 Deficient
12–20 Insufficient
20–50 Optimal
50–100 Excess
>150 Toxic
Your level:
Enter a value above
⚕ For healthcare professionals. Does not replace clinical judgment.
5 Quick facts
CategoryRestricted
Safety levelUse with Caution
EvidenceLimited
RDANOT recommended
Upper limit (UL)No safe OTC dose
Scientific nameEphedra intermedia / equisetina / other spp.
HIGH RISK — see overview[1]
6 Dosage by population

Adults Moderate

See product label

Elderly Moderate

See product label
Consider reduced renal/hepatic clearance. Start at lower end of range.

Pregnancy Moderate

See guidance
CONTRAINDICATED — same as ephedra [1].

Pediatric Moderate

See guidance
NOT recommended [1].

Athletes Limited

Standard dose

Obesity Limited

Standard dose
Fat-soluble compounds may require dose adjustment in obesity.

Renal Limited

Consult specialist
Dose adjustment may be needed in renal impairment.

Vegan Moderate

Standard dose
HIGH RISK — see overview [1].
7 Form comparison
FormBioavailabilityVeganCost/day
['See overview', 'restricted', 'See overview [1].']StandardCheck label
8 Clinical evidence

Strong evidence

See overview [1]. HIGH

Moderate evidence

See overview [1]. MODERATE

Insufficient evidence

See overview [1]. LOW
9 Safety

🚩 Red flags — when to stop and refer

● HIGH RISK — see overview [1]

Pregnancy

CONTRAINDICATED — same as ephedra [1].

Pediatric

NOT recommended [1].
10 Toxicity and overdose

11 Drug interactions
See overview Major
Mechanism: See overview [1].
Effect: See overview [1].
Action: See overview [1].
12 Supplement interactions
13 Laboratory monitoring
See overview Primary
Target: N/A · N/A
See overview [1].
14 Deficiency and prevalence
0%
[1]

Risk factors

• HIGH RISK — see overview [1].
15 Frequently asked questions
Key safety ▼
Ma Huang analogs are plants containing ephedrine/pseudoephedrine from NON-Ephedra sources — used to evade the 2004 ephedra ban. Same drug, different plant = same danger. Includes Sida cordifolia, Pinellia, and others. Same cardiovascular risks: MI, stroke, death. Regulatory loophole exploitation [1].
16 Regulatory status
See overview: [1].
17 References
[1]See overview for key references. REVIEW
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19 Cite this page
Vancouver
Pkhakadze G. Ma Huang Analog Herbs — safety profile [Internet]. Tbilisi: Public Health Institute of Georgia; 2026 [cited 2026 May 30]. Available from: https://supplement.ge/ingredients/ma-huang-analog-herbs/
APA 7th
Pkhakadze, G. (2026). Ma Huang Analog Herbs — Safety profile. Public Health Institute of Georgia. https://supplement.ge/ingredients/ma-huang-analog-herbs/
CC BY 4.0
🛡 SupplementIndex receives no funding from supplement manufacturers. All content independently authored by PHIG.
GP
Reviewed by Prof. G. Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD
Editor-in-Chief, Georgian Medical Journal · Chair, PHIG
Last reviewed: May 2026 · Next: November 2026
This entry is provided for educational and public health purposes under CC BY 4.0. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement. For corrections: info@accreditation.ge.
Publisher: PHIG · Editor-in-Chief: Prof. Giorgi Pkhakadze, MD, MPH, PhD