Practical
Plants

Ephedra gerardiana

Ma Huang

a perennial woody evergreen member of the Ephedra genus in the family Ephedraceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Ephedra
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Height
0.6 m
Spread
2 m
Fertility
self sterile
Flower type
dioecious

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw[1][3]. A sweet flavour[4]. The fruit is about 7mm in diameter[7].

Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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[9]. Ephedrine acts promptly to reduce swellings of the mucous membranes and has antispasmodic properties, thus making it valuable in the treatment of asthma[15]. This species contains between 0.28 and 2.79 alkaloids[10]. 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[13]. The plant also has antiviral effects, particularly against influenza[9]. The stems are a pungent, bitter, warm herb that dilates the bronchial vessels whilst stimulating the heart and central nervous system[9]. The stems are also diaphoretic. diuretic and vasodilator[15][17][5][9]. They are used internally in the treatment of asthma, hay fever and allergic complaints[9]. They are also 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[9]. It should not be prescribed to patients who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or suffering from high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism or glaucoma[9]. 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 are used in Tibetan medicine, where they are considered to have a bitter taste and a cooling potency[11]. Febrifuge, tonic and vulnerary, they are used in the treatment of severe bleeding and chronic fevers[11]. A decoction of the stems and roots is used in Russia to treat rheumatism and syphilis[12]. The stems can be harvested at any time of the year and are dried for later use[9]. The juice of the berries is used to treat respiratory affections[12].

Product or use
Antiasthmatic
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Cardiotonic
Product or use
Diaphoretic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vasodilator
Product or use
VD
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The wood is very close grained[4]. Too small for commercial exploitation, though it is used locally for fuel[3]. A good ground cover plant for dry soils[6]. Plants should be spaced about 60cm apart each way[8].

Product or use
Fuel

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
E. Asia - S.W. China to the Himalayas.
Habitat
Stony slopes and gravel terraces in drier areas of the Himalayas at 2400 - 5000 metres from Afghanistan to Bhutan[16].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
drought
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in the autumn in a greenhouse[7]. 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[9]. Layering.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a well-drained loamy soil and a sunny position[2]. Established plants are drought resistant and are also lime tolerant[7]. Plants are hardy to about -15°c[7]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. Tanaka. T. Tanaka's Cyclopaedia of Edible Plants of the World. Keigaku Publishing 1976-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩

  3. Gamble. J. S. A Manual of Indian Timbers. Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh 1972-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  4. Gupta. B. L. Forest Flora of Chakrata, Dehra Dun and Saharanpur. Forest Research Institute Press 1945-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  5. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

    ↩

  6. Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7

    ↩

  7. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  8. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  9. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

  10. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  11. Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India 1994-00-00 ISBN 81-900489-0-2

    ↩1↩2

  12. Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. 1993-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  13. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩

  14. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

  15. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

    ↩1↩2

  16. Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Flowers of the Himalayas. Oxford Universtiy Press 1984-00-00

    ↩

  17. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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