ephedra
ephedra Lexical Profile
ephedra Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A medicinal preparation or dietary supplement derived from plants of the genus Ephedra, containing stimulant alkaloids, historically used to treat asthma and to aid in weight loss.
"Due to serious cardiovascular risks, the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedra was strictly banned by regulatory authorities in several countries."
A gymnosperm shrub belonging to the genus Ephedra (family Ephedraceae), native to arid and semi-arid regions globally, characterized by its essentially leafless, jointed green stems.
"The ancient peoples of the American Southwest brewed a mild tea from the stems of the local ephedra plant."
Word Nuance & Usage
The term 'ephedra' broadly refers to the botanical plant or its raw extract, whereas 'ephedrine' specifically denotes the isolated, active alkaloid compound derived from it.
• Rhymes for ephedra
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from Latin 'ephedra', which originated from Ancient Greek 'ephedra' (meaning 'horsetail plant'). The Greek word is formed from 'epi-' (upon) and 'hedra' (seat), likely referencing the way the plant's jointed stems appear to sit upon one another.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.