Ephedras

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Ephedras
• Joint-firs
• Jointfirs
• Mormon Tea
• Mormon's Teas

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Chaetocladus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Gnetidae and the order Ephedrales. Finally, it is a member of the family Ephedraceae and is represented by the genus Ephedra.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific range of locations across the European continent. In Middle Europe, it can be found growing in the landscapes of Austria and Switzerland. The species also inhabits the regions of Czechia-Slovakia and Hungary within the same central zone. Moving toward the Mediterranean, its presence extends into Southwestern Europe. Specifically, it is documented to grow within the Balearic Islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Plant Parts

Ephedra has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include root, stem.

Root

1. International immunopharmacology
2. Frontiers in plant science

Stem

1. Frontiers in plant science

Chemicals

Ephedra has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ephedrine, PSEUDOEPHEDRINE, 4-(2-docosyloxycarbonyl-vinyl)-benzoic acid, 4-(2-eicosyloxycarbonyl-vinyl)-benzoic acid, Delphinidin.

Ephedrine

1. Journal of cellular and molecular medicine
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Zhonghua yi shi za zhi (Beijing, China : 1980)
4. Journal of natural medicines
5. BioMed research international

PSEUDOEPHEDRINE

1. Journal of natural medicines
2. Scientific reports

4-(2-docosyloxycarbonyl-vinyl)-benzoic acid

1. Phytochemistry

4-(2-eicosyloxycarbonyl-vinyl)-benzoic acid

1. Phytochemistry

Delphinidin

1. Natural products and bioprospecting

Norpseudoephedrine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Sudafed

1. International dental journal

benzaldehyde

1. Microscopy research and technique

caffeine

1. World journal of gastroenterology

phenmetrazine

1. Microscopy research and technique

Activities

Ephedra has 11 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Antibacterial, Anticancer, Antifungal, Antitumor.

Antioxidant

1. Scientific reports
2. Natural product research
3. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Antibacterial

1. Scientific reports
2. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Anticancer

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Antifungal

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Antitumor

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Antiviral

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Diuretic

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Hepatoprotective

1. Chinese journal of natural medicines

Hyperglycemic

1. Journal of pharmacobio-dynamics

Pressor

1. Journal of pharmacobio-dynamics

Medicinal Uses

Ephedra has 13 reported medicinal uses identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, blood pressure, Acute lung injury, anti-asthmatic, body weight.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations