The Difference Between Ephedra Root and Ephedra

Ephedra root and ephedra are two parts of the same plant. Ephedra uses the upper stem seedlings of ephedra, while ephedra root uses the roots of ephedra. Although they grow on the same plant, their medicinal properties are different. Simply put, ephedra can induce sweating, while ephedra root can stop sweating. These two drugs have very different medical effects and can be used in combination with other medicinal materials to treat different diseases.

What is Ephedra Root?

Ephedra root, also known as bitter toon vegetable, is the root and rhizome of ephedra sinica, ephedra equisetum or ephedra intermedia. Ephedra root combined with other Chinese medicines such as astragalus, fried white peony root, and scorched white atractylodes can treat symptoms of spontaneous sweating. However, profuse sweating caused by yang deficiency needs to be used together with ginseng and other herbs. In addition, for night sweats caused by yin deficiency and postpartum sweating, it is necessary to use other Chinese medicines in combination.

What is Ephedra?

Ephedra is a herbaceous shrub and a plant with medicinal value. It contains relatively rich bioalkaloids and ephedrine can be extracted. Ephedra can induce sweating, dispel the cold in the body, treat cough and reduce swelling. It has obvious therapeutic effects on cough, edema, etc. caused by colds. What is the difference between ephedra and ephedra root? There are significant differences in appearance and medicinal value.

The Difference Between Ephedra and Ephedra Root

Ephedra root is a kind of root, while ephedra is a seedling. From this point of view, the two are easy to distinguish. In addition, in terms of efficacy, ephedra root is used to stop sweating, while ephedra causes sweating, so they are even more different.

Ephedra and Ephedra Root Effects and Functions

Although ephedra root and ephedra are from the same plant, they have different natures and flavors and opposite functions due to their different medicinal parts. Now the comparison is as follows:

(1) Ephedra root: The root nodes are used as medicine. Sweet and mild in nature. It enters the heart and lung meridians. It is heavy in texture and good at sinking down, gathering without dispersing, and has the special effect of stopping sweating. It can be used for both spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency and night sweats due to yin deficiency. However, for severe cases, appropriate medicines must be used according to the symptoms. For example, spontaneous sweating due to qi deficiency is often treated with Rhizoma Corydalis, Atractylodes macrocephala, etc.; night sweats due to yin deficiency are treated with Schisandra chinensis, Osmanthus fragrans, etc.

(2) Ephedra: Its stems and branches are used as medicine. It is pungent, slightly bitter and warm in nature. It enters the lung and bladder meridians. It is light in nature and good at dispersing and ascending. It has the functions of sweating and relieving exterior symptoms, promoting lung function and relieving asthma, promoting diuresis and reducing swelling. It is suitable for symptoms such as exogenous wind-cold, aversion to cold and fever, headache and nasal congestion, no sweating, and floating and tight pulse, or edema with exterior symptoms L or wind-cold binding, cough and asthma caused by obstruction of lung qi, as well as its function of warming and dispersing cold evil, and is used for symptoms such as rheumatism, arthralgia, yin carbuncle, and phlegm nodule.