ephedra gerardiana - Gardening Tips
It is the only extant genus in its family, Ephedraceae, and order, Ephedrales, and one of the three extant genera of the division Gnetophyta together with Gnetum and Welwitschia. In temperate climates, most Ephedra species grow on shores or in sandy soils with direct sun exposure. Most ephedra species contain the chemical ephedrine.
Understanding the Context
It's banned in the US. The ephedrine in ephedra is responsible for its therapeutic effects and also its serious safety concerns. It... Ephedra is a low evergreen shrub with small, scaly leaves.
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The herb usually comes from the stem and branches of the Ephedra sinica species. Ephedra has a long history of medicinal use in China and India to treat colds, fever, headaches, congestion, coughing, wheezing, and other conditions. Ephedra species grow as low, shrubby plants with small leaves on jointed, ribbed green stems. They are dioecious (ie, male and female flowers are usually found on separate plants). The 3-source species are native to China, where the aboveground parts are collected in the fall and dried for use.
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Ephedra, genus of 65 species of gymnosperm shrubs of the family Ephedraceae. Ephedra is an evolutionally isolated group and is the only genus in the order Ephedrales. Some Asian species have been used as a source of the stimulant ephedrine, and many are important in herbal medicine. Ephedra is a shrub-like genus of plants, but when people discuss medicinal ephedra they usually mean Ephedra sinica or closely related species used in traditional Chinese medicine. The medicinal material is typically the dried stem rather than the leaf or root. Ephedra gained popularity as a weight loss supplement in the 1990s, but safety concerns arose.
This article reviews ephedra’s weight loss effects, potential dangers, and legal status. Ephedra is used for weight loss and obesity and to enhance athletic performance. It is also used for allergies and hay fever; nasal congestion; and respiratory tract conditions such as bronchospasm, asthma, and bronchitis.