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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Ephedra sinica is an evergreen Shrub growing to 0.4 m (1ft 4in). 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 required). . The plant is not self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Ephedra flava. Ephedra ma-huang
Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw or cooked.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
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).
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of this country. A small plant of this species is being grown in the Centenary Border at Hilliers Arboretum in Hampshire. It has survived at least one winter of temperatures down to below -10°c, but was not looking very vigorous when seen in September 1997[K]. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Requires a well-drained loamy soil and a sunny position[11]. Established plants are drought resistant and are also lime tolerant[200]. Dioecious, male and female plants must be grown in fruit and seed are required.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
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Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[200]. It can also be sown in spring in a greenhouse in a sandy compost[K]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow them on for at least their first winter in a greenhouse. Plant out in the spring or early summer after the last expected frosts and give some protection in their first winter[K]. Division in spring or autumn[238]. Layering.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Ephedra altissima | High-climbing jointfir | Shrub | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 3 | |
| Ephedra americana andina | | Shrub | 1.8 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Ephedra ciliata | | Shrub | 0.2 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 3 | |
| Ephedra distachya | Sea Grape, Jointfir | Shrub | 1.0 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Ephedra equisetina | Muzei Ma Huang, Ma huang | Shrub | 1.5 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 4 | |
| Ephedra fragilis | | Shrub | 1.8 |
7-10
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 4 | |
| Ephedra gerardiana | Ma Huang, Gerard jointfir | Shrub | 0.6 |
6-9
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 4 | 3 |
| Ephedra intermedia | Zhong Ma Huang | Shrub | 1.0 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 4 | |
| Ephedra major | Ma Huang | Shrub | 2.0 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 4 | |
| Ephedra nevadensis | Mormon Tea, Nevada jointfir | Shrub | 1.2 |
5-9
| | LM | N | DM | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| Ephedra pachyclada | | Shrub | 0.0 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 3 | |
| Ephedra torreyana | Mexican Tea, Torrey's jointfir | Shrub | 1.0 |
0-0
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 3 | |
| Ephedra triandra | | Shrub | 0.0 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 3 | |
| Ephedra trifurca | Longleaf Jointfir | Shrub | 2.0 |
-
| | LM | N | DM | 1 | 2 | |
| Ephedra viridis | Mormon Tea, Brigham Tea, Long Leaf Ephedra, Mountain Joint Fir, Mormon Tea, Ephedra | Shrub | 1.8 |
6-11
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 3 | 1 |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
Stapf.
Botanical References
266
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