Growing in inner Mongolia, ma huang, has been helping and healing various ailments for at least 4,000 years. The two alkaloids, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine, are used in both cold and allergy medicines, as well as weight loss supplements.

Ephedrine seems to speed up the metabolism and, according to some experts, burn fat. That internal warming can also increase energy and stamina in some individuals. The reason ephedrine can be useful in weight loss is in its ability to suppress appetite and speed up the metabolism at the same time.

Ephedrine can also act as an effective decongestant, and has been a popular ingredient in many over the counter cold and allergy medicines. Experts say that the same chemical reactions that cause a person