The cultivation of Ephedra sinica in South Dakota

The cultivation of Ephedra sinica in South Dakota

Prescription only medicine: ephedrine, pseudephedrine, amphetamine, ecstasy

Induction of noradrenaline release. Contains ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. These are bronchial dilators and vasoconstrictors, used for asthma and nasal congestion. Amphetamines and ecstasy are synthesised from them.

Preparations of the whole herb, sold as Ephedra, often contain a mixture of species, not all of which contain the active alkaloids. Three Ephedra species -- Ephedra sinica, Ephedra equisetina, and Ephedra intermedia -- are collectively known by their Chinese name, ma huang. Ma huang has been used in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) for more than 5,000 years, primarily to treat asthma or bronchitis.

Ephedra sinica. Ephedrine. A tea made from these primitive plants has been used in China for more than 2000 years to aid sweating and to ease breathing in patients with chest infections. It was adopted in America and Europe in 19th and early 20th centuries to dilate the airways in asthma and to shrink the congested lining of the nose in colds by constricting small blood vessels. Ephedrine is still used to constrict blood vessels and control low blood pressure arising in epidural anaesthesia. There have been dangerous effects from the use of related drugs as a weight loss aid and to stimulate the brain. The active principal Ephedrine fires specific triggers on many types of cells by mimicking the actions of the sympathetic nervous system.

Ephedra- Greek name for the common mare’s tail (Hippuris) which it somewhat resembles. For botanists, Ephedra is of great interest, as the genus forms a linking group between conifers and flowering plants.

A cyclist taking amphetamines (synthesised from ephedrine, present in the sap of the primitive plant species Ephedra) died in the 1960 games.

Toxic due to sympathomimetic actions. Deaths have been reported.