- Region
- North America
- Origin
- Deserts of western North America
North America · Herb · № 629
Ephedra viridis, E. nevadensis, E. californica
Herb · North America
Mormon tea
Ephedra viridis, E. nevadensis, E. californica
Traditionally attributed effects: opens the surface in wind-cold with sneezing and a watery nose, mildly eases wheezing and promotes urination.
Safety notes
May contain small amounts of ephedrine-like substances: not with high blood pressure, arrhythmias, glaucoma, thyroid problems or pregnancy, and not together with stimulants or MAO inhibitors. Caution with yin deficiency. Traditional use is no proof of effectiveness; if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication or have a medical condition, consult a doctor or pharmacist.
Cautions by tradition (1)
- Western herbs in Chinese medicine: Not with high blood pressure, heart complaints or pregnancy; caution with yin deficiency.
Preparation
Stems as a decoction, strong infusion or tincture.
Use in traditions
North American ephedra species. They are botanically related to the Chinese ma huang, but work much more mildly.
Applications
Use by tradition
How different herbal traditions describe this herb. Amounts are traditional guidelines checked for obvious errors; they are not medical advice. For poisonous plants no dosage is given on purpose.
Western herbs in Chinese medicine
- Nature and taste
- pungent, bitter, warm
- Meridians
- lung, bladder
Attributed effects
Releases the surface in wind-cold (sneezing, watery nose, heavy head) and eases wheezing; a mild substitute when ma huang is unsuitable, for example with high blood pressure. Promotes urination in oedema, especially together with a cold, and regulates urination with urgency, a weak stream and dribbling from kidney deficiency.
Preparation and amount
3–9 g as a decoction or strong infusion, or 2–4 ml tincture. An infusion is more strongly diaphoretic, a decoction more strongly diuretic. The stems can be harvested all year round, except during flowering and seed formation. Well-dried material is green to grey-green, whole and lightly fragrant.
Combinations
- With yarrow and California spikenard for wind-cold with cough and wheezing
- With saw palmetto (and under expert supervision aconite) for difficult urination from kidney yang deficiency
- With saw palmetto, nettle root and ginseng for dribbling from kidney qi deficiency
- With black sage and akebia for dampness from external wind
Caution: Not with high blood pressure, heart complaints or pregnancy; caution with yin deficiency.
- Ways to prepare herbs
- Tea (infusion)DecoctionTincture