Guest guest Posted February 27, 2009 Report Share Posted February 27, 2009 It's actually a conifer -- E. Californicas, E. fasciculate (Arizona), E. torreyana (Navaho and hop range0, E. trifurca and E. viridis (Mormon tea) -- this was used for colds, coughs, antidiarrheal, venereal diseases, gastrointestinal kidneys. I've also heard from non-native people who commonly use it calling it " mormon Tea " that it is good for asthma and respiratory problems but Checking Daniel Moermann for its traditional native uses it was used for syphilis, urinary and gastrointestinal purposes. The Keres tribe and the Navaho used it for a back cough. The paiute used it for diarrhea. It is commonly used as an anti-rheumatic. A famous study was conducted in the 1920's establishing that unlike the Chinese variety it contained no ephedrine alkaloids. I'd go with that. I'd most likely consider using North America ephedra for wind damp probably either hot or cold conditions -- also to clear damp heat. Give it for arthritic and rheumatic problems. Michael Tierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 1, 2009 Report Share Posted March 1, 2009 I just came across an article that says the while North American Ephedra does not contain Ephedrine alkaloid it does contain norpseudoehedrine which actually has milder but similar properties to ephedrine. I'd be interested in any comments about this. http://www.ask.com/bar?q=Research+on+American+ephedra <http://www.ask.com/bar?q=Research+on+American+ephedra & page=1 & qsrc=0 & zoom=Di et+Pills+with+%3CKW%3EEphedra%3C%2FKW%3E|Stores+That+Carry+%3CKW%3EEphedra%3 C%2FKW%3E+Diet+Products|Products+Containing+%3CKW%3EEphedra%3C%2FKW%3E & ab=4 & u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.viable-herbal.com%2Fherbdesc%2F1amdeser.htm> & page=1 & qsrc=0 & zoom=Diet+Pills+with+%3CKW%3EEphedra%3C%2FKW%3E|Stores+That+C arry+%3CKW%3EEphedra%3C%2FKW%3E+Diet+Products|Products+Containing+%3CKW%3EEp hedra%3C%2FKW%3E & ab=4 & u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.viable-herbal.com%2Fherbdesc%2F1amd eser.htm So Ben, you may be right about the milder stimulating properties of North American Ephedra. On Behalf Of Michael Tierra Friday, February 27, 2009 6:52 PM north american ephedra It's actually a conifer -- E. Californicas, E. fasciculate (Arizona), E. torreyana (Navaho and hop range0, E. trifurca and E. viridis (Mormon tea) -- this was used for colds, coughs, antidiarrheal, venereal diseases, gastrointestinal kidneys. I've also heard from non-native people who commonly use it calling it " mormon Tea " that it is good for asthma and respiratory problems but Checking Daniel Moermann for its traditional native uses it was used for syphilis, urinary and gastrointestinal purposes. The Keres tribe and the Navaho used it for a back cough. The paiute used it for diarrhea. It is commonly used as an anti-rheumatic. A famous study was conducted in the 1920's establishing that unlike the Chinese variety it contained no ephedrine alkaloids. I'd go with that. I'd most likely consider using North America ephedra for wind damp probably either hot or cold conditions -- also to clear damp heat. Give it for arthritic and rheumatic problems. Michael Tierra Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 Michael / Ben, That link is broken. In any case, there is an interesting article that discusses this issue. It discusses prior unconfirmed claims of ephedrine alkaloids in the North American species, as well as a possible mechanism for a non-ephedrine-alkaloid stimulant effect. The article states: " Claims that some North American species contain pseudoephedrine (Willaman and Schubert, 1961; Max, 1991) or norpseudoephedrine (Wink, 1998) remain unconfirmed. Consequently, the phytochemical basis behind the purported stimulant and therapeutic nature of " Mormon tea " and other pioneer teas made from North American Ephedra is unresolved. Several nitrogenous secondary compounds with known neuroactivity, including nonprotein amino acids with cyclopropyl ring structures as well as quinoline-related tryptophan derivatives, have recently been identified in Eurasian species of Ephedra (Caveney and Starratt, 1994; Starratt and Caveney, 1995, 1996). The stems of many New World species contain these compounds also, which may explain why Ephedra extracts have been used so widely in traditional medicine in both the Old and New Worlds. " Here ios a link to a free full text of the article: http://www.amjbot.org/cgi/content/full/88/7/1199 - Bill , " Michael Tierra " <mtierra wrote: > > I just came across an article that says the while North American Ephedra > does not contain Ephedrine alkaloid it does contain norpseudoehedrine which > actually has milder but similar properties to ephedrine. > > > > I'd be interested in any comments about this. > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 2, 2009 Report Share Posted March 2, 2009 All, Here is my monograph from my book on using North American ephedra in Chinese medicine, sans the commentary, which also discusses the use of the root, which can be used essentially the same as ma huang gen. Mormon Tea Ephedra viridis Cov., E. nevadensis W. Watson., and others Ephedraceae Ephedra herba Flavor and Qì: Acrid, bitter, warm Channels Entered: Lung, Bladder Actions: Astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic Functions and Indications • Resolves the exterior and stops wheezing. Ephedra is used in the treatment of wind-cold with symptoms of wheezing; runny nose with clear, copious mucus; stuffy head; and sneezing. Ephedra’s acrid nature resolves the exterior, while its bitter nature downbears lung qì to check wheezing. While this is not a strong action, North American ephedra species are a reasonable substitute when má huáng is inappropriate due to hypertension or other issues. • Promotes urination. Ephedra is used in the treatment of edema of any etiology, but especially for edema associated with external pathogens. It is also used for dribbling urinary block or inhibited urination due to kidney vacuity, with symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency, diminished force of urinary stream, and post-void dribbling. Ephedra’s bitter and astringent nature helps to drain and restrain, regulating the flow of urine, which makes this herb especially good for various urinary complaints. Furthermore, its acrid, exterior-resolving nature makes this herb is particularly good for external damp conditions. Cautions Because of its diuretic and dispersing action, ephedra should be used with caution in yīn vacuity patterns. Dosage and Preparation Use 3†" 9 g in decoction or strong infusion; 2†" 4 ml tincture. Note that because of the essential oils ephedra contains, the infusion is a better diaphoretic and will more strongly release the exterior. A decoction of the herb is a stronger diuretic. Gather ephedra stems at any time of the year, except while the plant is flowering or in seed. Lay them out to dry for storage or processing; alternatively, cut and prepare as a fresh plant tincture. Good-quality dried herb is green to green-gray, whole (not shredded), with a slight aroma. Major Combinations •Combine with yarrow and California spikenard for invasion of wind-cold with cough and wheezing. • Combine with saw palmetto and aconite for inhibited urination due to kidney yáng vacuity. • Combine with saw palmetto, nettle root, and ginseng for dribbling urinary block due to insufficiency of kidney qì. • Combine with black sage and akebea for externally contracted wind-damp pathogens. Beijing, China www.sourcepointherbs.blogspot.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Anything on the constituents? Pseudoephedrine? On Behalf Of Monday, March 02, 2009 5:29 PM Re: north american ephedra All, Here is my monograph from my book on using North American ephedra in Chinese medicine, sans the commentary, which also discusses the use of the root, which can be used essentially the same as ma huang gen. Mormon Tea Ephedra viridis Cov., E. nevadensis W. Watson., and others Ephedraceae Ephedra herba Flavor and Qì: Acrid, bitter, warm Channels Entered: Lung, Bladder Actions: Astringent, diaphoretic, diuretic Functions and Indications • Resolves the exterior and stops wheezing. Ephedra is used in the treatment of wind-cold with symptoms of wheezing; runny nose with clear, copious mucus; stuffy head; and sneezing. Ephedra’s acrid nature resolves the exterior, while its bitter nature downbears lung qì to check wheezing. While this is not a strong action, North American ephedra species are a reasonable substitute when má huáng is inappropriate due to hypertension or other issues. • Promotes urination. Ephedra is used in the treatment of edema of any etiology, but especially for edema associated with external pathogens. It is also used for dribbling urinary block or inhibited urination due to kidney vacuity, with symptoms such as urinary frequency, urgency, diminished force of urinary stream, and post-void dribbling. Ephedra’s bitter and astringent nature helps to drain and restrain, regulating the flow of urine, which makes this herb especially good for various urinary complaints. Furthermore, its acrid, exterior-resolving nature makes this herb is particularly good for external damp conditions. Cautions Because of its diuretic and dispersing action, ephedra should be used with caution in yīn vacuity patterns. Dosage and Preparation Use 3†" 9 g in decoction or strong infusion; 2†" 4 ml tincture. Note that because of the essential oils ephedra contains, the infusion is a better diaphoretic and will more strongly release the exterior. A decoction of the herb is a stronger diuretic. Gather ephedra stems at any time of the year, except while the plant is flowering or in seed. Lay them out to dry for storage or processing; alternatively, cut and prepare as a fresh plant tincture. Good-quality dried herb is green to green-gray, whole (not shredded), with a slight aroma. Major Combinations •Combine with yarrow and California spikenard for invasion of wind-cold with cough and wheezing. • Combine with saw palmetto and aconite for inhibited urination due to kidney yáng vacuity. • Combine with saw palmetto, nettle root, and ginseng for dribbling urinary block due to insufficiency of kidney qì. • Combine with black sage and akebea for externally contracted wind-damp pathogens. Beijing, China www.sourcepointherbs.blogspot.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 3, 2009 Report Share Posted March 3, 2009 Hi Michael, I have looked and as far as I know there is neither ephedrine nor pseudoephedrine in any of the North American species. To the best of my knowledge this genus only occurs in Asia and Western North America. I find it interesting that only the Asian species contain these constituents. One wonders why, or at least I do. Although this is not necessarily clinically relevant it sure is curious. , " Michael Tierra " <mtierra wrote: > > Anything on the constituents? Pseudoephedrine? > Beijing, China www.sourcepointherbs.blogspot.com Author of: Western Herbs According to Traditional : A Practitioners Guide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 4, 2009 Report Share Posted March 4, 2009 Funny - it actually contains " nor-pseudoephedrine " which seems to have similar but milder properties than either ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Its stated on all the ephedra sites - here's one: http://www.ephedra.nu/medicine_4.html On Behalf Of Tuesday, March 03, 2009 5:16 PM Re: north american ephedra Hi Michael, I have looked and as far as I know there is neither ephedrine nor pseudoephedrine in any of the North American species. To the best of my knowledge this genus only occurs in Asia and Western North America. I find it interesting that only the Asian species contain these constituents. One wonders why, or at least I do. Although this is not necessarily clinically relevant it sure is curious. <%40> , " Michael Tierra " <mtierra wrote: > > Anything on the constituents? Pseudoephedrine? > Beijing, China www.sourcepointherbs.blogspot.com Author of: Western Herbs According to Traditional : A Practitioners Guide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 5, 2009 Report Share Posted March 5, 2009 Michael, Here is something I had on file. I looked at the site you posted and it is not referenced. If you can produce a good reference showing any North American species has any alkaloids I would love to see it. Thanks, Thomas Joshi VC, Khan I. University of Mississippi, National Center for Natural Products Research, University, MS 38677, USA. Ephedra sinica Stapf or Ma Huang has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for over 5000 years as a bronchodilating and stimulatory agent. In the West, it is popularly used in dietary supplements for weight loss and to enhance athletic performance. Adverse events have been reported following consumption of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids. There are about 50 known species of Ephedra. The ratio of ephedrine to other alkaloids varies from species to species; all North American species lack alkaloids. The method commonly used in the dietary supplement industry for botanical authentication is to analyze the product for the presence of chemical markers known to be present in the specific herb. However, this method does not ensure that the product contains authentic herb, especially if it has been spiked with chemical marker compounds. In the trade and raw drug market, Ephedra is available in the form of stem cuttings or powders, without any vouchers, thus making identification of the species difficult. Using light microscopy, we can detect the presence of Ephedra herb, even in powder form, and identify within certain limits its geographical origin. Identification of Chinese and North American species of Ephedra has been made easier by developing a key using leaf and internode length as key identification characters. Michael said: > Funny - it actually contains " nor-pseudoephedrine " which seems to > similar but milder properties than either ephedrine or pseudoephedrine. Its > stated on all the ephedra sites - here's one: > http://www.ephedra.nu/medicine_4.html > > > Beijing, China > www.sourcepointherbs.blogspot.com > Author of: Western Herbs According to Traditional : A > Practitioners Guide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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