1 g. Nevada Ephedra Seeds, Mormon Tea, Ephedra Nevadenis, USA, ~40 seeds
"American ephedra," native to dry areas of western North America. It is found in rocky and sandy soils, generally in areas without trees, like the Nevada desert. Nevada ephedra was used for food and medicine by Native Americans.
For Mormons, it was one of the only allowable "stimulant" beverages, which conveniently was readily available around Salt Lake, as it is native to the dry American Southwest areas including Utah.
A native shrub growing to 3-4 feet with yellow flowers. Prefers sandy or loamy soils. Tolerates light frost. Edible. Medicinal.
The stems are blood purifier, diuretic, febrifuge and tonic. An infusion has been used in the treatment of kidney problems, gonorrhea and the first stages of syphilis. A poultice of the powdered stems has been applied to sores.
The stems of this species contain a mild pseudoephedrine, but this plant does not contain any ephedrine.