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Useful properties and application of horsetail ephedra
Description of ephedra
Ephedra – a perennial evergreen plant – is a shrub. Its branches are multiple, green and smooth. Stems are straight, with a woody surface. The plant blooms with small flowers collected in small spikelets. This period begins in May or June. Ephedra habitats are the Caucasus, Western Siberia and the southern regions of the European part of Russia. The plant loves semi-desert plains and wastelands, areas with soil of moderate moisture.
Useful properties of ephedra
This marvelous plant has been known for a long time, it was used by Eastern healers, it was gradually recognized all over the world over several millennia. Today, young shoots of wild shrubs are harvested for the preparation of medicines. Many birds feed on berries.
In Asia, the ash of the stems is used in chewing tobacco. The whole plant is saturated with alkaloids, especially in young shoots. Most of these substances contain ephedrine. Also revealed the presence of ascorbic acid and tannins. Pyrocatechin and flobafen are present.
Application of ephedra
Ephedra is perhaps the only plant source of ephedrine, a medicinal substance that can stimulate the respiratory center and relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi. Due to the special properties of ephedra, it excites the central nervous system, increases blood pressure. Indications for use – infection with microorganisms, various injuries, intoxication, postoperative inflammation, blood loss.
As an antagonist, ephedra is used for poisoning with narcotic drugs. It is useful to use it for the prevention of lung diseases and allergic manifestations. Stimulant properties and the ability to excite the nervous system make ephedra the choice for the treatment of enuresis. In folk medicine, ephedra is indicated for rheumatism, diseases of the digestive tract, gout, urticaria, hypotension, nosebleeds and pulmonary tuberculosis.
Ephedra decoction: 8-10 g of chopped herbs are boiled over low heat in 600 ml of water until the liquid becomes 1/2 of the original volume. Take the remedy 1 tablespoon 3 times a day.
Ephedra infusion: 2 g of raw materials must be infused in 1 glass of boiled water, the resulting medicine is the daily norm.
Recipe for ephedra tea: 1 teaspoon of crushed raw materials is brewed in two cups of boiling water, insisted for 10-15 minutes and drunk 1/2 cup 2-3 times a day for colds, bronchitis, asthma and low blood pressure.
Ephedra extract
The extract from the plant is obtained by evaporating the decoction or infusion to half the original amount of liquid. The concentrated extract, which has healing properties, suppresses appetite and promotes fat burning, so it is used in the treatment of obesity.
Ephedra horsetail
This highly branched shrub grows in Central Asia, in the mountains of the Eastern Tien Shan, in China, reaches Altai and Sayan, Dagestan and Azerbaijan. Green twigs used in traditional medicine can be cut all year round, best of all in winter, when the plant has the highest concentration of nutrients, in particular alkaloids. Ephedra is prescribed as a hemostatic agent, it helps well with nosebleeds. The vasoconstrictive properties of ephedra are used for pharyngitis.
Ephedra dvokoloskovaya
Ephedra dvukoloskovaya is found in the European part of Russia, grows in the Caucasus, in the west of Siberia, in the forest-steppe regions of southern Ukraine, in the steppe expanses of Crimea. This dioecious plant is a shrub, bright green, with narrow furrowed appearance and slightly rough stem and branches. The leaves are very small and opposite. The flowers are collected in spikes. The fruits are fleshy, round, cone-shaped red berries.
Ephedra decoction: 1 tablespoon of herb should be boiled for 5 minutes in 400 ml of water. In case of dermatoses, the skin is treated with the resulting remedy, this procedure relieves itching.
Contraindications to the use of ephedra
Contraindications for use are hypertension, arteriosclerosis, increased nervousness, insomnia, convulsive spasms. Ephedra preparations should be taken during the day, they are not recommended in the evening. The disadvantage of the remedy can be called an increase in blood sugar. Ephedra is a toxic plant, the remedies from it have a strong effect, therefore they are applicable only after consulting a doctor.