Ephedra or ma huang is still available as an herb plant or seeds

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The Chinese used Ephedra, or ma huang, in medical treatments for thousands of years.

Ephedra sinica

Ephedra, or ma huang in Chinese medicine, has long been recognized in treating asthma and hay fever. However, now herbalists advocate using the whole plant because it contains other alkaloids, including pseudo ephedrine, which can decrease both heart rate and blood pressure.

Ephedra, or ma huang by which it is known in Chinese medicine, is found to be beneficial in treating early stages of influenza and colds, as well as for fluid retention and arthritis. A related species of Ephedra, known as desert tea or Mormon tea, is used in the U.S. for fever, or bladder and kidney trouble. This medicinal tea, made by steeping dried Ephedra branches, is still considered a good diuretic, fever and cold medication, tonic and decongestant.

Ephedra, but not the herb ma huang, is a source of the alkaloid ephedrine.

It was hailed as a cure for asthma due to its ability to relax the airways, but later Ephedra was found to cause a significant raise in blood pressure, so it was rarely used alone. This danger and other health problems caused by its extensive use as a stimulant in diet supplements led to an Ephedra ban, a ban on the sales of all Ephedra products of this type that went into effect April 12, 2004. Thankfully, the herb ma huang is still available as an herb plant or seeds.