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Medicinal Uses: Ephedra Sinica

Ephedra sinica is a strongly stimulant herb commonly used in Chinese herbalism. It contains medicinally active alkaloids such as ephedrine that act to reduce swelling of mucous membranes and have antispasmodic properties, making it valuable for treating asthma. The stems are used to dilate bronchial vessels, stimulate the heart and central nervous system, and treat conditions like asthma, hay fever, and allergic complaints. However, this herb should be used with caution under supervision as it can interact with medications and cause issues for those with health conditions like high blood pressure.

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49 views1 page

Medicinal Uses: Ephedra Sinica

Ephedra sinica is a strongly stimulant herb commonly used in Chinese herbalism. It contains medicinally active alkaloids such as ephedrine that act to reduce swelling of mucous membranes and have antispasmodic properties, making it valuable for treating asthma. The stems are used to dilate bronchial vessels, stimulate the heart and central nervous system, and treat conditions like asthma, hay fever, and allergic complaints. However, this herb should be used with caution under supervision as it can interact with medications and cause issues for those with health conditions like high blood pressure.

Uploaded by

Meita Annisa
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Ephedra sinica

Medicinal Uses
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Antidote; Cardiac; Diaphoretic; Diuretic; Pectoral; Vasoconstrictor; Vasodilator.
Ma Huang is a strongly stimulant acrid-tasting herb that is commonly used in Chinese herbalism,
where it is considered to be one of the 50 fundamental herbs[218, 254]. Most members of this genus
contain various medicinally active alkaloids (but notably ephedrine) and they are widely used in
preparations for the treatment of asthma and catarrh[238]. Ephedrine has a similar effect to adrenaline
in the body[176]. It acts promptly to reduce swellings of the mucous membranes and has
antispasmodic properties, thus making it valuable in the treatment of asthma[4]. 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[254]. The stems are a pungent, bitter,
warm herb that dilates the bronchial vessels whilst stimulating the heart and central nervous
system[238]. The stems are also antidote, diaphoretic, diuretic, pectoral, vasoconstrictor and
vasodilator[165, 176, 238]. They are used internally in the treatment of asthma, hay fever and allergic
complaints[238]. The plant also has antiviral effects, particularly against influenza[238]. Ephedra is
often combined with a number of other herbs and used in treating a wide range of complaints238].
This herb should be used with great caution, preferably under the supervision of a qualified
practitioner[238]. It should not be prescribed to patients who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors,
or suffering from high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism or glaucoma[238]. Ephedrine is seen as a
performance-boosting herb and, as such, is a forbidden substance in many sporting events such as
athletics[K]. The stems can be harvested at any time of the year and are dried for later use[238]. The
root is antihydrotic, it lowers blood pressure and dilates the peripheral blood vessels[176]. It is used in
the treatment of night sweating and spontaneous sweating[176]. The root is believed to have the
opposite action to the stem, but is only prescribed in cases of profuse sweating[218]. The German
Commission E Monographs, a therapeutic guide to herbal medicine, approve Ephedra sinica for
cough and bronchitis (see [302] for critics of commission E).

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