Ephedra root effects and functions

Ephedra root has attracted our attention in our lives because of its extremely high medicinal value. Let's take a closer look at what Ephedra root is.

【English name】 RADIX EPHEDRAE

[Source] This product is the dried roots and rhizomes of Ephedra sinica Stapf or Ephedra intermedia Schrenk et CA Mey., plants of the Ephedraceae family. Dig up in late autumn, remove the remaining stems, fibrous roots and mud and sand, and dry.

[Properties] This product is cylindrical, slightly curved, 8 to 25 cm long and 0.5 to 1.5 cm in diameter. The surface is reddish brown or grayish brown, with longitudinal wrinkles and root marks. The outer skin is rough and easily peels off in flakes. The rhizome is noded, with internodes 0.7 to 2 cm long and with long horizontal protruding lenticels on the surface. It is light, hard and brittle, with yellowish-white bark in cross section, light yellow or yellow wood, radial rays and pith in the center. Odorless, slightly bitter taste.

[Identification] Cross-section of the root of this product: more than 10 rows of cork cells, with a fallen bark layer outside. The cortex is composed of several rows of thin-walled cells containing calcium oxalate sand crystals. The pericycle is composed of fibers and stone cells. Phloem narrow. The cambium is ring-shaped. The xylem is well developed and consists of vessels, tracheids and wood fibers; the rays are broad and contain calcium oxalate sand crystals. Some have fibers in the pith; thin-walled cells have pits. The rays of the rhizome are narrow. The powder is brownish red or brownish yellow. Cork cells are rectangular, brown, and contain calcium oxalate sand crystals. The fibers are mostly scattered individually, with a diameter of 20 to 25 μm, thick walls, lignified, and obvious diagonal pores. The diameter of the spiral and reticular vessels is 30 to 50 μm, and there are many circular holes on the perforated plates of the vessels. In some cases, stone cells are visible, which are oblong, fibrous or branched, 20 to 50 μm in diameter, and have thick walls. The thin-walled cells in the medulla are square, rectangular or round, with slightly thick walls and pits. The thin-walled cells contain calcium oxalate sand crystals.

[Processing] Remove impurities, wash, soak, cut into thick slices, and dry.

【Nature and flavor】 Sweet, neutral.

[return through] return to the heart and lung meridians.

【Functions and indications】 Antiperspirant. Used for spontaneous sweating and night sweats.

【Usage and Dosage】 3～9g. For external use, grind appropriate amount into powder and sprinkle on the face.

【Storage】 Store in a dry place.

【Excerpt】 Chinese Pharmacopoeia

[Source] Annotations to the Classic of Materia Medica

Above we introduced what ephedra root is. We know that ephedra root has very comprehensive effects and functions, so ephedra root can be used as a means of regulating the body in daily life.