Ephedrine was first isolated in 1885 by Japanese chemist Nagai Nagayoshi (
长井长义) from
麻黄 (mahuang, Ephedra sinica), a herb used in
中医 for over 2000 years to treat asthma. It later became a notorious precursor for methamphetamine, which is why pseudoephedrine cold medicines are kept behind the pharmacy counter today.
