Witnessed by: TCM · Western
Ephedra (Ephedra sinica), of the Ephedraceae family. Low broom-like shrub of green jointed stems bearing scale leaves; native range: dry steppe and sandy hills of northern China and Mongolia. Globally recognized as ma huang (麻黄) in Chinese, and Chinese ephedra, ma huang, joint-fir in English. The part used is the aerial green stem (the root, ma huang gen, is a separate anti-sweating drug). Rush-like green stems, astringent and faintly bitter, with a warming acrid aftertaste.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
EPHEDRA
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- Ephedra
- Scientific name
- Ephedra sinica Stapf
- Family
- Ephedraceae
Form
- Part used
- the aerial green stem (the root, ma huang gen, is a separate anti-sweating drug)
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- TCM
- pungent · bitter
- Western
- pungent · astringent
Temperature
- TCM
- warm
- Western
- warm
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- TCM
- Lung · Bladder
- Western
- lungs · circulation · nervous system
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- TCM
- induces sweating and releases the exterior, disperses cold, diffuses Lung qi to calm wheezing, and promotes urination to reduce oedema
- Western
- bronchodilator, decongestant, diaphoretic, central stimulant and anti-allergic
Cautions
Contraindications: hypertension, heart disease, hyperthyroidism, glaucoma, insomnia, and exterior deficiency with spontaneous sweating; pregnancy
Toxicity: overdose brings palpitations, restlessness, rise in blood pressure, arrhythmia and, with abuse, cardiovascular collapse
Sourcing status: legally-restricted
Interactions
- Western
- MAO inhibitors: blocked breakdown of the sympathomimetic amines risks hypertensive crisis · stimulants: additive sympathomimetic and cardiovascular stimulation · cardiac glycosides: heightened risk of cardiac arrhythmia · antihypertensives: pressor action opposes blood-pressure control
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