Synonym: Ma-Huang

Biological source: Ephedra is dried young stem of Ephedra gerardiana and E. nebrodensis Family Gnetaceae (Ephedraceae).

Geographical source: China, Pakistan, North-West parts of India, Australia, Kenya

History:

It is used in China from ancient time as a Chinese system of Medicine In Chinese language 'Ma' denotes astringent taste and 'Huang' is for yellow colour of drug.

Cultivation, Collection and Preparation

Altitude: 2500 to 3000 m.

Rainfall : Not exceeding 50 cm.

Propagation method and period: Seeds are sown early in the spring

Collection: The plants are collected after attaining the age of 4 years for the extraction of alkaloid.

Storage: Twigs are generally dried in sun or even by artificial ways. After drying, they are stored in dry and well closed containers, away from light.

Macroscopic characters:

Colour: Grey to greenish in colour

Odour: None

Taste: Bitter

Shape: Thin stems which are woody, cylindrical

Size: Internodes at a distance of about 3 to 3.5 cm.

Uses:

Sympathomimetic effects.

as a bronchodilator in asthma

Treatment of allergic condition like hay fever.

It has prolonged effect than adrenaline, as it is not quickly hydrolysed by mono amino oxidase in. the body.

Allied Drugs:

E. intermedia, E. major, E. helryetica and E. alata.

Chemical Test:

Ephedrine + water + dilute hydrochloric acid --------------à copper sulphate + sodium hydroxide. = violet colour.

If shaken with solvent ether, the organic layer shows purple and aqueous layer shows blue colour.

Dose: .Ephedrine hydrochloride or sulphate 25 - 50 mg, 6 - 8 times a day, orally or parenterally and 0.1 mil - 3 % solution, 2 - 3 times a day intravenously