In the 80′s, Ephedra had been first introduced to the market and gained tremendous popularity in last three decades due to its properties related to boosting sports performance and losing weight quickly and effectively. Since then, ephedra been used in numerous nutritional supplements that have been marketed for effective weight loss in US. However, FDA (Food and Drug Administration) has banned these nutritional supplements in 2006. Let us explore the timeline of Ephedra regulation in details to have better understanding.
1997
The Food and Drug Administration suggested a ruling, which would impose a ban on nutritional supplements that contain ephedrine alkaloids of the minimum quantity equals to 8 mg. With this ruling, such supplements would be banned from selling or marketing. The proposed ruling also suggested more strict labeling of such ephedra for sale supplements using ephedrine alkloids. However, numerous members from the supplement industry joined hands to create a public relations group so that they can oppose this ruling.
2000
Due to the overwhelming opposition from nutritional manufacturers, The FDA withheld the proposed restrictions and changes. However, New England Journal of Medicine published a review that has cited numerous cases where ephedra consumption have caused multiple adverse effects related to cardiovascular issues.
2001
Korey Stringer, a football player from Minnesota Vikings died due to heatstroke. After analysis, physicians considered prolonged exposure to ephedra consumption as one of the most possible reason behind his death.
2003
In 2003, the non-profit group of activists and scientists from RAND corporation, which has been working as the Healthcare Quality and research agency for U.S. Department of Health and Human Services had published a report related to ephedra consumption cases and issues. This study examined adverse scenarios and related clinical trials due to prolonged exposure to Ephedra. This specific study report was then submitted to Metabolife, a leading dietary supplement manufacturer and FDA.
This specific report affirmatively suggested relationship between consumption of Ephedra and adverse effects. It also pointed out the ill effects like three incidents of death, two incidents of heart attacks, one incident of seizure, two incidents of strokes and three psychiatric issues within 24 hours of ephedra consumption without any other plausible reasons. According to this report, there have been other adverse effects too that could be linked with ephedra use but their estimates differ considerably.

