Ephedra sinica
Ephedra sinica, commonly known as Ma Huang, is a medicinal shrub native to East Asia. Long utilized in traditional Chinese medicine, it is highly valued for its alkaloid content, particularly ephedrine. This potent plant is primarily used to treat respiratory ailments, stimulate the central nervous system, and boost energy.
- Scientific name: Ephedra sinica
- Family: Ephedraceae
- Native range: Asia-Temperate
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Gnetidae, it is placed in the order Ephedrales and the family Ephedraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Ephedra, specifically the species Ephedra sinica.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Gnetidae | WCVP |
| Order | Ephedrales | WCVP |
| Family | Ephedraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Ephedra | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Ephedra sinica, is referred to by various common names across different languages and regions. In Poland, it is called przęśl chińska, while in Russia, it is known as Хвойник китайский. Its name in Persian is افدرا, and in Chinese, it is identified as 草麻黄. Additionally, in Hebrew, the plant is called שרביטן סיני.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | przęśl chińska | Wikidata |
| ru | Хвойник китайский | Wikidata |
| fa | افدرا | Wikidata |
| zh | 草麻黄 | Wikidata |
| he | שרביטן סיני | Wikidata |
| bg | китайска ефедра | Wikidata |
| ja | シナマオウ | Wikidata |
| ko | 초마황 | Wikidata |
| cs | chvojník čínský | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 草麻黄 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant is primarily distributed across specific regions of Northern Asia. In the territory of Siberia, it can be found in both Buryatiya and Chita. Its range extends into the Russian Far East, specifically within the Primorye region. Within China, the species is located throughout Inner Mongolia. Finally, it is also widely distributed across the Manchuria region of China.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Siberia | Buryatiya | WCVP |
| Siberia | Chita | WCVP |
| Russian Far East | Primorye | WCVP |
| China | Inner Mongolia | WCVP |
| China | Manchuria | WCVP |
| China | China North-Central | WCVP |
| Mongolia | Mongolia | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Ephedra sinica, is a perennial herb that is primarily valued for its medicinal properties. The structure of the plant is characterized by its unique stems, which are slender, green, and photosynthetic in nature. While the stem serves as the main axis for growth, the plant also produces distinct yellow stalks that can be observed during certain stages of its development. Although much of the medicinal value is concentrated in the aerial parts, the roots also contribute to the overall biology of this desert-dwelling species.- Total parts
- 12
- Scientific sources
- 22
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stems | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| roots | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| stem | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herb | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| yellow stalks | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem- | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root- | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| root | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leaf | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| herbal stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Ephedra sinica has 43 reported phytochemicals identified across 71 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, flavonoids, Ephedrine, ephedrine hydrochloride.
- Total chemicals
- 43
- Scientific sources
- 71
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| ephedrine | 13 | ★★★★★ |
| pseudoephedrine | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| flavonoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Ephedrine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ephedrine hydrochloride | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glucose | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| kaempferol | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| terpenoids | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-norpseudoephedrine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| (+)-pseudoephedrine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Ephedra sinica has 4 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiasthmatic, Antioxidant, Diuretic, Stimulant.
- Total activities
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 5
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antiasthmatic | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Diuretic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Stimulant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Ephedra sinica has 22 reported medicinal uses identified across 28 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include obesity, asthma, COVID-19, antiasthmatic, arthralgia.
- Total uses
- 22
- Scientific sources
- 28
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| obesity | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| asthma | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| COVID-19 | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| antiasthmatic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthralgia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| arthritis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| bronchial asthma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cold | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cough | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| edema | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |