Ephedra, also popularly known as "Ma Huang" is a herbal remedy that was included in numerous weight-loss products before being banned. Taking too much ephedra or taking ephedra when suffering from other health conditions such as heart problems is believed to be dangerous. As a result of a number of deaths linked to the use of the drug, ephedra was banned by the FDA in 2003. This included a number of high-profile ephedra deaths, such as that of Steve Bechler, a prospective pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles, who died in 2003. The fact that there were a large number of ephedra deaths reported to the FDA before the ban was introduced has led several industry watchdogs and other agencies to suggest that the ban should have been introduced earlier. Since the ban, Bechler's wife was successful in gaining compensation through a settlement the manufacturer of the product.