Steinmetz:Ephedra

Ephedra vulgaris (and other species)

Also known as (or relevant to) Ephedra vulgaris (and other species) Family Ephedraceae Natural Habitat West Central China Japan Central Asia Siberia India Southern Europe Part(s) Used Herba Ephedrae

Constituent(s) ephedrine (alkaloid) Action anti-asthmatic sudorific alterative diuretic stomachic tonic Its physiological action resembles that of adrenaline with the additional advantage that unlike the latter it can be administered orally and its effects are more prolonged. ; Ephedra nevadensis and Ephedra trifurca (growing in North and South America) are used in medicine against fever and gonorrhoea