Prepared by Steve Johnson
Scientific Name: Ephedra sinica, Ephedra nevadensis
Other Names: Ma Huang, Joint Fir, Desert Herb, Brigham Tea, Mormon Tea, Teamster's Tea
Medicinal Properties and Actions: Astringent, blood purifier, bronchodilator, diuretic, hypertensive, mineralizer, pungent, stimulant, vasoconstricting, warming. It affects the circulatory system, the lungs, the nervous system and the bladder.
Description: Ephedra is a low growing (2-3 feet high), nearly leafless herb. Each stem terminates in a point. Only very small leaves appear at joints. It produces small flowers in the spring.
Habitat: Ephedra species are found in all parts of the world. Species that have traditionally been used medicinally grow in China, Mongolia, Pakistan, India and the desert west of the United States. It grows best in highly mineralized soils.
Traditional uses: Ma huang, the common Chinese name for ephedra means "astringent and yellow" in reference to the herb's taste and color.
Like guarana, coffee, tea and cola nuts, ephedra has been made into a stimulating hot beverage for centuries. This tea also helps to clear toxins from the blood. Drink ephedra tea for six weeks. Follow this with burdock tea for six weeks and toxic conditions of the blood will clear up.
Traditional Chinese uses of ephedra also include: asthma, chills, colds, congestion, coughs, edema, fever, flu, headache, joint and bone pain, lack of perspiration and wheezing. Other traditional uses include acne, arthritis, boils, bursitis, emphysema, fatigue, hay fever, internal bleeding, sinus problems and uterine problems. North American Indians have used ephedra externally to heal sores.
Modern uses: Ephedra and ephedra based chemicals such as ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are the active constituents of several cold, hayfever and asthma medications. These medications rely on ephedra's ability to open bronchial passages. In herbal asthma/hay fever preparations, ephedra is used in combination with adrenal herbs such as licorice to avoid adrenal exhaustion.
Ephedra's stimulant effect is due to its ability to constrict blood vessels. This forces blood flow from the digestive tract to the limbs when taken on an empty stomach. Ephedra can provide some assistance in weight control. There are many herbal combinations that include ephedra with caffeine and aspirin for thermogenic weight loss. The extreme stimulation caused by this combination may not be a wise choice for some people.
One recent study suggests that ephedra may help reduce cravings for cigarettes.
Dosage and Preparation: To make tea from ephedra add a teaspoon of the herb to a pint of boiling water and let steep for 10 minutes. In tincture form take 3 ml. Ephedra is found in AL-C, Fen Chi, LH and SN-X.
Warnings: Large doses can lead to dizziness, headaches, insomnia, nervousness, palpitations, tingling and vomiting. This is especially true when taken with caffeine containing herbs such as guarana and kola nut. For this reason it is not recommended for chronic use or for gaining a "high". Stimulant effects make this herb unsafe for people with high blood pressure. Please follow guidelines for usage found on the labels of products containing ephedra.
Sources:
- EastWest Master Course in Herbology, Section I by Michael Tierra (Santa Cruz, California: Michael Tierra, 1981).
- "Ephedra" by Dr. John R. Christopher in The Herbalist (May 1978).
- Herbs that Heal: Prescription for Herbal Healing by Michael A. Weiner and Janet Weiner (Mill Valley, California: Quantum Books, 1994).
- Healing Herbs, The: Ultimate Guide to the Curative Power of Nature's Medicines by Michael Castleman (Emmaus, Pennsylvania: Rodale Press, 1991).
- Healing Power of Herbs, The by Michael T. Murray (Rocklin, California: Prima Publishing, 1995).
- "Ma Huang: Ancient Herb, Modern Medicine, Regulatory Dilemma" by Mark Blumenthal and Penny King in HerbalGram (Summer 1995).
- Nutritional Herbology by Mark Pedersen (Warsaw, Indiana: Wendell W. Whitman, 1994).
