Efficacy and function of Ephedra sinica

Traditional Chinese medicine requires the use of Chinese medicine when treating diseases, and Ephedra sinica, as a kind of Chinese medicinal material, is also frequently used. So, let’s talk about the effects and functions of Ephedra sinica.

[Other names] Stinky grass (Illustrated Catalogue of Plant Names), naked rue (Dictionary of Chinese Seed Plant Families and Genera), snake skin grass (Journal of Plant Taxonomy 6 (1): 140, 1957), lice grass, snake bite medicine, and thousand-crowned cranesbill (Common Chinese Herbal Medicines in Sichuan).

[Source] It is the whole herb of Ephedra sinica, a plant of the Rutaceae family. Harvest from April to June.

[Original morphology] Perennial subshrub, up to 60-80 cm tall, glabrous on all parts, with glandular dots. The leaves are 3-compound, alternate, with petioles up to 2 cm long; the leaflets are ovate, obovate-lanceolate or oblong-ovate, 0.7-2.5 cm long, 0.3-1 cm wide, the middle leaflet is larger, obtuse at the apex, cuneate at the base, entire or wavy; the petioles are short. Flowers are bisexual, solitary in leaf axils; pedicels are slender; sepals are 4-5 lobed, ovate to ovate-lanceolate, about 1 mm long; petals are 4-5, ovate-oblong, yellow, 4-6 mm long; stamens are 8-10, filaments of varying lengths; ovary is superior, 2-chambered, style 1, shallowly lobed at the apex. Capsule, kidney-shaped, dehiscing at apex. Seeds arm-shaped. Flowering period: spring.

[Habitat distribution] It mostly grows on sandy beaches and hills. Distributed in Hubei, Sichuan, Guangxi and other places.

[Properties and flavors] "Common Chinese Herbal Medicines in Sichuan": "Warm in nature, slightly spicy in taste."

【Functions and indications】Relieve exterior symptoms, strengthen the spleen, and promote diuresis. Treat colds, coughs, asthma, vomiting and edema.

[Usage and Dosage] For oral use: decoct in water, 2 to 5 qian.

【Excerpt】 《*Dictionary》

【Source】 From "Chinese Medicinal Plants"

Ephedra sinica has various effects and functions, and we should choose the appropriate method of consumption according to different physical symptoms. In life, we can learn more about this when we have free time.