E. sinica, 'Ma Huang,' TCM; Use, Lore and Growing Information:
Traditional Chinese Medicinal herb plant in use for over 2,000 years. Native to all of Mongolia, as well as regions of Russia and China.
For about 2,000 years, the Qawrighul of western China buried their dead with bundles of E. sinica twigs tied to them.
The medicinal herb Ma Huang is made of the dried, young branchlets of the ephedra plant. Harvested in autumn, the stems are dried in the sun throughout the year for production. The herb should be stored away from light. The stems have the highest concentrations of alkaloids.
Ephedra sinica contains a number of alkaloids including ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine (cathine), methylephedrine and methylpseudoephedrine.
Ephedra sinica is a perennial horsetail plant which can grow up to 75 cm in height. It produces leafless, segmented round canes. The fruits are red, contain small round black seeds, and develop in late autumn. It doesn't have "normal" leaves, instead it produces rigid, blue-green branches to form an ever-widening mat. The plant normally flowers in spring. Both male and female plants must be grown if you want to fertilize the flowers. Ephedra is reproduced from seed or by root division.
Ephedra sinica is an evergreen shrub growing to about 18 in. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant; so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is desired). The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and/or alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade; full sun preferred. It prefers dry or slightly moist soil and can tolerate drought. Naturally found: waste and sandy places, plains, mountain slopes; at 700-1600 m altitude. Can handle frost, temps to 10F.
Seed Germination Instructions:
Plant Care:
Treat similar to a cactus, dry and warm. Lightly water once a week. Well drained, sandy soil is best. Deep roots find water.
Plant Description:
E. sinica is a perennial evergreen that reaches heights of approximately half a meter. The scarce leaves grow in slender cylindrical, yellow-green branches. Ma huang flowers in August with colorful red-fleshy cones that look similar to berries.
Subshrubs small, to 40 cm, sparsely branched; woody stems short or prostrate; branchlets straight or curved, sometimes slightly involute, internodes (2.5-)3-4(-5.5) cm × ca. 2 mm, shallowly furrowed. Leaves opposite, connate for 1/3-2/3 their length, free part subulate to narrowly triangular, to 5 mm, apex sharply pointed. Pollen cones sessile or pedunculate, solitary or in clusters at nodes, rarely terminal; bracts in 4 pairs, margin very narrow, membranous, apex obtuse or subacute; anthers 7 or 8, sessile or shortly stipitate. Seed cones terminal or axillary, solitary, oblong-ovoid or subglobose, ca. 8 × 6-7 mm at maturity; bracts in four pairs, connate for 1/2-3/4 their length, red and fleshy at maturity; integument tube 1-2 mm, straight or slightly curved. Seeds usually two, black-red or grayish brown, concealed by or equaling bracts. Pollination May-Jun, seed maturity Aug-Sep.
Traditional Medicinal Uses:
This species has medicinal properties. Ma Huang is a strongly stimulating, acrid-tasting herb that is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and is considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs in TCM. Ma Huang was first recorded in the Shen-nung Pen-ts’ao Ching (Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica), the earliest Chinese pharmacopoeia written before 200 B.C. Most members of this genus contain various medicinally active alkaloids (notably ephedrine) that are widely used in preparations for the treatment of catarrh and asthma. Ephedrine has effects similar to adrenaline, caffeine or amphetamine in the body. It acts promptly to reduce swellings of the mucous membranes and has antispasmodic properties.
The whole plant can be used at much lower concentrations than the isolated constituents; unlike using the isolated ephedrine, using the whole plant rarely gives rise to side-effects. The stems are a pungent, bitter, warm herb that dilates the bronchial vessels while stimulating the heart and central nervous system. The stems are also antidote, diaphoretic, diuretic, pectoral, vasoconstrictor and vasodilator. They are used internally in the treatment of asthma, hay fever and allergic complaints. The plant also has antiviral effects, particularly against influenza. Ephedra is often combined with a number of other herbs in TCM and used in treating a wide range of complaints by acupuncturists and Traditional Chinese Doctors.
Ephedra is probably the strongest stimulant and diaphoretic herb in TCM. It has an action much like pure adrenaline. It can be used as a substitute for coffee, but also has side effects (reduced somewhat by the addition of licorice to it). It may overstimulate the adrenals and burn out the nerves by its rajasic quality.
Ephedra is a powerful bronchodilator and is the source of ephedrine, one of the main medicines for asthmatic attacks. It is one of the most powerful Kapha reducing herbs, relieving cold, mucus, cough and edems, and promoting wakefulness and activity. It is used in many stimulant herbal blends and strongly stimulates the nerves. It relieves point pain, promotes peripheral circulation, and cleanses the lymphatics. It may be used with other milder diaphoretics like cinnamon and ginger.
Tannins present in ephedra possess astringent effects and have historically been used in topical preparations to reduce oozing and weeping of skin lesions.
Contraindications:
Toxicity:
Interactions:
Alkaloids:
Ephedra contains the alkaloids ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (isoephedrine), norpseudoephedrine (cathine), norephedrine, methylephedrine, methylpseudoephedrine, tannins, and other constituents, including quinoline and 6-hydroxykynurenic acid. The stem contains approximately 0.5-2.5% alkaloids, with ephedrine accounting for 30-90% of the total alkaloid content. The variation in content depends upon the part of the plant used. For example, the woody stems are low in alkaloids, whereas the fruits, seeds and roots have practically no alkaloids at all, while the newer, softer stems contain up to 2.5% active alkaloids.
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are found in the leaves and stems of ephedra and are structurally related to amphetamines. They increase the availability and action of the endogenous neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine and stimulate catecholamine receptors in the brain, heart, and blood vessels both directly and indirectly. Both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine elicit central nervous system stimulation, bronchodilation, hypertension, and chronotropic/inotropic effects.
Norpseudoephedrine is also called cathine, because it is a major alkaloid of Catha edulis or khat, a plant that is widely used as a stimulant in some countries of East Africa and the Arab Peninsula.
For about 2,000 years, the Qawrighul of western China buried their dead with bundles of E. sinica twigs tied to them.
The medicinal herb Ma Huang is made of the dried, young branchlets of the ephedra plant. Harvested in autumn, the stems are dried in the sun throughout the year for production. The herb should be stored away from light. The stems have the highest concentrations of alkaloids.
Ephedra sinica contains a number of alkaloids including ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine (cathine), methylephedrine and methylpseudoephedrine.
Ephedra sinica is a perennial horsetail plant which can grow up to 75 cm in height. It produces leafless, segmented round canes. The fruits are red, contain small round black seeds, and develop in late autumn. It doesn't have "normal" leaves, instead it produces rigid, blue-green branches to form an ever-widening mat. The plant normally flowers in spring. Both male and female plants must be grown if you want to fertilize the flowers. Ephedra is reproduced from seed or by root division.
Ephedra sinica is an evergreen shrub growing to about 18 in. It is in leaf all year, in flower from May to June, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant; so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is desired). The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and/or alkaline soils. It cannot grow in the shade; full sun preferred. It prefers dry or slightly moist soil and can tolerate drought. Naturally found: waste and sandy places, plains, mountain slopes; at 700-1600 m altitude. Can handle frost, temps to 10F.
Seed Germination Instructions:
- Sprinkle seeds on a slightly damp, airy, loose soil mix that contains 50% sand and 50% cactus mix.
- Use a humidity dome for optimal results.
- Keep the environment humid and warm (75-80 degrees F.).
- Place in a bright area, filtered light.
- Germination in 1-2 weeks, with stragglers up to one month later.
- Plant in the ground right away in full sun.
Plant Care:
Treat similar to a cactus, dry and warm. Lightly water once a week. Well drained, sandy soil is best. Deep roots find water.
Plant Description:
E. sinica is a perennial evergreen that reaches heights of approximately half a meter. The scarce leaves grow in slender cylindrical, yellow-green branches. Ma huang flowers in August with colorful red-fleshy cones that look similar to berries.
Subshrubs small, to 40 cm, sparsely branched; woody stems short or prostrate; branchlets straight or curved, sometimes slightly involute, internodes (2.5-)3-4(-5.5) cm × ca. 2 mm, shallowly furrowed. Leaves opposite, connate for 1/3-2/3 their length, free part subulate to narrowly triangular, to 5 mm, apex sharply pointed. Pollen cones sessile or pedunculate, solitary or in clusters at nodes, rarely terminal; bracts in 4 pairs, margin very narrow, membranous, apex obtuse or subacute; anthers 7 or 8, sessile or shortly stipitate. Seed cones terminal or axillary, solitary, oblong-ovoid or subglobose, ca. 8 × 6-7 mm at maturity; bracts in four pairs, connate for 1/2-3/4 their length, red and fleshy at maturity; integument tube 1-2 mm, straight or slightly curved. Seeds usually two, black-red or grayish brown, concealed by or equaling bracts. Pollination May-Jun, seed maturity Aug-Sep.
Traditional Medicinal Uses:
This species has medicinal properties. Ma Huang is a strongly stimulating, acrid-tasting herb that is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), and is considered one of the 50 fundamental herbs in TCM. Ma Huang was first recorded in the Shen-nung Pen-ts’ao Ching (Divine Farmer’s Materia Medica), the earliest Chinese pharmacopoeia written before 200 B.C. Most members of this genus contain various medicinally active alkaloids (notably ephedrine) that are widely used in preparations for the treatment of catarrh and asthma. Ephedrine has effects similar to adrenaline, caffeine or amphetamine in the body. It acts promptly to reduce swellings of the mucous membranes and has antispasmodic properties.
The whole plant can be used at much lower concentrations than the isolated constituents; unlike using the isolated ephedrine, using the whole plant rarely gives rise to side-effects. The stems are a pungent, bitter, warm herb that dilates the bronchial vessels while stimulating the heart and central nervous system. The stems are also antidote, diaphoretic, diuretic, pectoral, vasoconstrictor and vasodilator. They are used internally in the treatment of asthma, hay fever and allergic complaints. The plant also has antiviral effects, particularly against influenza. Ephedra is often combined with a number of other herbs in TCM and used in treating a wide range of complaints by acupuncturists and Traditional Chinese Doctors.
Ephedra is probably the strongest stimulant and diaphoretic herb in TCM. It has an action much like pure adrenaline. It can be used as a substitute for coffee, but also has side effects (reduced somewhat by the addition of licorice to it). It may overstimulate the adrenals and burn out the nerves by its rajasic quality.
Ephedra is a powerful bronchodilator and is the source of ephedrine, one of the main medicines for asthmatic attacks. It is one of the most powerful Kapha reducing herbs, relieving cold, mucus, cough and edems, and promoting wakefulness and activity. It is used in many stimulant herbal blends and strongly stimulates the nerves. It relieves point pain, promotes peripheral circulation, and cleanses the lymphatics. It may be used with other milder diaphoretics like cinnamon and ginger.
Tannins present in ephedra possess astringent effects and have historically been used in topical preparations to reduce oozing and weeping of skin lesions.
Contraindications:
- Individuals with high blood pressure and heart troubles should avoid E. sinica.
- Use with extreme caution in the presence of cardiovascular disorders, thyroid disease, diabetes or BPH.
- Ephedra should not be used by people with low body weight issues.
Toxicity:
- Stimulation of the autonomic nervous system producing symptoms such as tachycardia and extreme hypertension.
- May cause heart spasms.
Interactions:
- With cardiac glycosides, use can produce cardiac arrhythmia.
- Any other sympathomimetics, alkaloid derivatives (ergotamine), oxytocin, or an MAOI can cause fatal hypertension.
Alkaloids:
Ephedra contains the alkaloids ephedrine, pseudoephedrine (isoephedrine), norpseudoephedrine (cathine), norephedrine, methylephedrine, methylpseudoephedrine, tannins, and other constituents, including quinoline and 6-hydroxykynurenic acid. The stem contains approximately 0.5-2.5% alkaloids, with ephedrine accounting for 30-90% of the total alkaloid content. The variation in content depends upon the part of the plant used. For example, the woody stems are low in alkaloids, whereas the fruits, seeds and roots have practically no alkaloids at all, while the newer, softer stems contain up to 2.5% active alkaloids.
Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are found in the leaves and stems of ephedra and are structurally related to amphetamines. They increase the availability and action of the endogenous neurotransmitters norepinephrine and epinephrine and stimulate catecholamine receptors in the brain, heart, and blood vessels both directly and indirectly. Both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine elicit central nervous system stimulation, bronchodilation, hypertension, and chronotropic/inotropic effects.
Norpseudoephedrine is also called cathine, because it is a major alkaloid of Catha edulis or khat, a plant that is widely used as a stimulant in some countries of East Africa and the Arab Peninsula.
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E. sinica Photo Gallery:
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