This is a herb native to parts of North America, Europe, Africa, China and South America. Traditional Chinese Medicine uses this plant for more than 5,000 years, primarily to treat asthma, bronchitis, and hay fever. The aerial parts are dried and brewed into tea for consumption. However, Ephedra, having an effect of an 'upper', can cause racing heartbeats and high blood pressure causing palpitations and nausea. Until the early 2000s, Ephedra was sold as a herbal supplement, used mainly by athletes for its stimulant properties, until it was declared risky by the US Food and Drug Administration.