What is it used for?
Used in Herbal Medicine as a decongestant/to relieve nasal congestion (due to hay fever/allergic rhinitis/allergies/sinusitis/the common cold/flu) [Source note 4].
What this guide covers
Compliance with Precursor Control Regulations:
The Precursor Control Regulations (PCR) [Source note 1] allows Canada to fulfill its international obligations with respect to the United Nations Convention Against Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, 1988, and provides a framework for the regulation of activities involving precursor chemicals which can be used in the production of illicit drugs and substances. Under the PCR, regulated chemicals are grouped into two classes: Class A and Class B. For Class A precursors such as ephedra, ephedrine, and/or products containing them, persons wishing to be involved in activities such as importation, exportation, production, packaging, selling, and/or providing must first obtain a licence.
Further information regarding compliance with the PCR, including application forms and guidance documents pertaining to the application for a Class A precursor licence, is available at: [Source note 2]
Who does this guide cover?
Adults 18 years and older
How is it taken?
Oral
Which forms are covered?
this reference excludes foods or food-like dosage forms as indicated in the Compendium of references Guidance Document.
Quantities
Methods of preparation: Standardized extracts
Extract providing 8 - 32 milligrams of l-Ephedrine, per day; Not to exceed 8 milligrams of l-Ephedrine per single dose; and Quantity crude equivalent 400 - 1,600 milligrams of dried branchlet and/or branch, and/or stem, per day [Source note 5].
How is it used?
The reference does not require an additional label statement in this section. This does not establish an absence of risk.
How long is it used?
Ask a healthcare professional for use beyond 7 days [Source note 6].
Warnings and precautions
Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, call a poison control centre or get medical help right away.
Stop use and ask a healthcare professional if symptoms worsen or last (for) more than 7 days.
Stop use and ask a healthcare professional if symptoms are accompanied by a high fever that lasts longer than 3 days, the production of thick yellow/green phlegm, rash or a persistent headache.
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding [Source note 7].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you are taking any other cough and cold or weight control medications or prescription drugs, or products which contain caffeine, ephedrine or pseudoephedrine [Source note 8].
Ask a healthcare professional before use if you have asthma, diabetes, glaucoma, heart disease, high blood pressure, kidney disease, difficulty urinating, thyroid disease, seizure disorders, or any other serious medical condition [Source note 9].
When should it be avoided?
Do not use with a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or for 2 weeks after stopping the MAOI drug [Source note 10].
Possible side effects
Stop use and ask a healthcare professional if you experience severe headache, confusion, visual changes/change in vision, nervousness, dizziness, sleeplessness, nausea, rapid heartbeat, difficulty or pain when urinating, or allergic reactions [Source note 11].
Storage
Must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the applicable product regulations.
All products (information for industry; not for labelling)
To be packaged in airtight container, protected from light [Source note 12].
Preparation details
Ingredient identity, preparation requirements, and other details that define the scope of this guide.
Ingredients and preparations
| Proper name(s) | Common name(s) | Source information / Source material(s) | Source information / Part(s) | Source information / Preparation(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ephedra sinica |
| Ephedra sinica |
| Dry |
References: Proper name: USDA 2024; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Common names: USDA 2024; Gardner and McGuffin 2013; Brinker 2010; Blumenthal et al. 2000; Source information: Hoffman 2003; DerMarderosian and Beutler 2002; Blumenthal et al. 2000; Liguo et al. 1999.
Other ingredients
Must be chosen from the current source ingredient database and must meet the limitations outlined in the database.
Preparation and quality requirements
The finished product specifications must be established in accordance with the requirements described in the source authority source’s product quality guidance.
The active ingredient must comply with the requirements outlined in the source ingredient database.
Guide change history
Updates to this SupplementSafety.org guide.
Minor updates
Updated guide wording, organization, and source presentation. Added our editorial change history.
Initial release
Initial SupplementSafety.org guide prepared from source reference material.
Validation: Not yet completed. Editorial updates do not constitute clinical validation.
Sources
Source information
This guide organizes source material about uses, preparations, amounts, and precautions. Read the conditions alongside each statement; the information may apply only to particular preparations or populations.
The source document includes supporting references. We have not independently summarized or assessed every cited study for this guide.
- Source document version
- February 27, 2026
- Source captured
- Aug 15, 2026
- Editorial work
- Editorial preparation. Independent clinical review has not been recorded for this guide.
Full citations are available through the link above. Verification is required to open them; reading this guide does not require verification.
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