Definition of ephedrine Ephedrine

/ɪfɛˈdɹɪn/ - [ifedrin] - e•phed•rine

We found 4 definitions of ephedrine from 4 different sources.

What does ephedrine mean?

WordNet

Noun

Plural: ephedrines

ephedrine - white odorless powdered or crystalline alkaloid from plants of the genus Ephedra (especially Ephedra sinica) or made synthetically; used as a bronchodilator to treat bronchitis and asthma

alkaloid natural bases containing nitrogen found in plants

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Wiktionary

ephedrine (Noun)
An alkaloid, found in some species of Ephedra shrubs or prepared synthetically, used as a sympathomimetic drug.

Wikipedia

Ephedrine (or EPH) is an alkaloid found in plants of the genus Ephedra. It can also be found in other plants like wolfsbane or the Euopean yew.

Uses.

Ephedrine has effects on the human body. It can be used as a stimulant or a decongestant. It is also used to treat certain forms of low blood pressure or to help hunger. Ephedrine is like amphetamine and methamphetamine.

The herb "má huáng" (麻黄, "Ephedra sinica") is used in traditional Chinese medicine. It has ephedrine and pseudoephedrine in it. Nagayoshi Nagai was the first person to take ephedrine from "Ephedra vulgaris" in 1885. The substance called soma, mentioned in old Hindu books such as the Rig Veda, may have been ephedra extract.

Ephedrine is sometimes used for doping, usually together with caffeine and salicylic acid.

Economy.

The production of ephedrine in China has become a multi-million dollar industry. Companies extract $13 million worth of ephedrine from 30,000 tons of ephedra per year, 10 times the amount that is used in traditional Chinese medicine.