Tag: Sympathomimetic

According to the FDA, most healthy adults should consume no more than 400 mg of caffeine daily, roughly equivalent to four 8-ounce cups of coffee. Drinking 12 cups of coffee, which could contain well over 1,000 mg of caffeine, can overwhelm the body and trigger a range of serious, uncomfortable, and potentially dangerous side effects.

For thousands of years, the Chinese plant *Ephedra sinica*, known as ma huang, has been used in traditional medicine for its stimulant and medicinal properties. The primary active compound responsible for these effects is ephedrine, a potent alkaloid derived from this botanical source. Its journey from ancient herb to modern, heavily regulated pharmaceutical has been complex.