When the wildly popular drug combo phen-fen was pulled from the market in 1997, people were forced to look elsewhere for weight-loss help. Many turned to a then-mysterious Chinese herb known as ma huang.
The natural supplement, commonly known as ephedra, seemed less risky than the prescription medicines, which had been linked to heart valve problems. But now the US federal government is reviewing the supplement’s safety, and one manufacturer of ephedra is under criminal investigation. Once again, many consumers are searching for a safe alternative.