Untidy heap containing red, decomposing shrub

• Banned medicine used to treat asthma
• F.D.A.-banned weight-loss supplement
• Subject of a 2004 F.D.A. dietary supplement ban
• Banned diet pill ingredient
• F.D.A.-banned supplement
• F.D.A.-banned diet pill ingredient

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. jointed and nearly leafless desert shrub having reduced scalelike leaves and reddish fleshy seeds [syn: joint fir ]

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 Any plant of the genus ''Ephedra'' of gymnosperm shrubs. 2 A stimulant derived from the plant (taxlink Ephedra sinica species noshow=1) used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine and in over-the-counter weight-loss aids.

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
genus of low, branchy desert shrubs, 1914, from Modern Latin (1737) from Greek ephedra , a name given by Pliny to the horsetail, literally "sitting upon," from fem. of ephedros "sitting or seated upon; sitting at or near," from epi "on" (see epi- ) + hedra ...