Ma-huang (Ephedra sinica) seeds Family: Ephedraceae Grow your own Ephedra! The Chinese herb Ephedra sinica, better known as Ma Huang, is a perennial, primitive shrub. Native to the steppes of north and northwestern China. Ma-huang is an herb of controversy, it contains Ephadrine a alkaliod used in many weight loss products. Ma-huang has been used as a stimulating herb in Chinese medicine for thousands of years. Ma-huang prefers full sun and dry, sandy soils. The seed is easy to germinate in a warm, sandy medium. We grow the plants in a sand mulch, about 4 inches thick, in the full sun, with moderate watering. The seeds offered here are strictly for horticultural use. Consult the disclaimer before your order.