1.   Among the most popular would-be weight-control products are those containing a concentrated form of the herb ma huang.

2.   At issue is the Chinese herb ma huang, or ephedra.

3.   Ephedra, also known as ma huang, is a stimulant found in diet aides and supplements for body builders.

4.   Ephedra, which is also known as ma huang, contains several stimulants, including pseudoephedrine, which is also in cold medicines.

5.   Ephedra, also called ma huang, was implicated last week in research ordered by the FDA after more than a year of concern about it.

6.   Herbalife has been phasing out sales of the pills containing ma huang because sales for the reformulated blend have been stronger, Parsons said.

7.   In April, the company said it would introduce a reformulated version of its Thermojetics tablets to remove the active ingredient, a Chinese herb called ma huang.

8.   Ma huang naturally contains an amphetamine-like stimulant called ephedrine.

9.   Ma huang, a plant grown mostly in the hills of China, is the botanical source for ephedrine, pseudoephedrine and norpseudoephedrine.

10.   Ma huang does elevate metabolism and reduce appetite, but sometimes at the cost of raising blood pressure and causing a heart attack or stroke.