Ma huang Derived from the plant Ephedra, 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.Ephedra's main active medical ingredients are the alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine.

The ephedras also contain various tannins and related chemicals.The stem contains 1-3% total alkaloids, with ephedrine accounting for 30-90% of this total. The concentrations of these alkaloids depends upon the particular species of ephedra used. Ephedrine alkaloids are amphetamine-like compounds used in OTC and prescription drugs with potentially lethal stimulant effects on the central nervous system and heart.

The FDA has received more than 800 reports of adverse effects associated with use of products containing ephedrine alkaloid since 1994. These serious adverse effects, include hypertension (elevated blood pressure), palpitations (rapid heart rate), neurophathy (nerve damage), myopathy (muscle injury), psychosis, stroke, memory loss, heart rate irregularities, insomnia, nervousness, tremors, seizures, heart attacks, and death. The agency has proposed to prohibit the marketing of dietary supplements containing 8 milligrams or more of ephedrine alkaloids per serving.

Maca Root Extract has been used for energy, stamina, athletic performance, impotence, fertility enhancement, aphrodisiac qualities, menopause, erectile dysfunction, hormone balancing and increased testosterone levels.

Maca Root Extract has been used by women for centuries for menopause symptoms, hot flashes, hormone replacement therapy (HRT), hormone balancing, fertility enhancement, sexual stimulation, perimenopause, fatigue, stamina, athletic performance and PMS associated problems. Maca has been used by Peruvian consumers for many centuries, since before the time of the Incas.

The Incas found maca so important that they restricted its use to their royalty's court. Upon over-taking the Inca people, conquering Spaniards became aware of this plant's value and collected tribute in maca roots for export to Spain. Maca was used as an energy enhancer, increasing male potency or improving other hormonal function