Ephedra, Ephedra sinica

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Family:

Ephedraceae

Found in:

Medicinal Garden

Respiratory

By alexlomas (Flickr) [CC BY 2.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Medicinal Garden information:

Respiratory

Ephedra contains alkaloids, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Used to treat nasal and sinus congestion pseudoephedrine is sold under brands such as Sudafed. Ephedrine is used to treat blood pressure as well as to improve breathing and bronchial asthma.

Detailed information:

Trials have documented the efficacy of ephedrine in the management of asthmatic bronchoconstriction and hypotension; The alkaloids ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are found to induce central nervous system stimulation, bronchodilation, & vasoconstriction.

Reference link

Ephedra