STEM:EPHEDRA - EXPERIMENT

Synonyms:

Ma-huang, Desert ephedra, Desert tea, Mormon tea

Biological Source:

Ephedra consists of the dried young stems of plant  Ephedra gerardigna (Wall)-,

Family- Gnetaceae (Ephederaceae)

Ephedra contains not less than 1.0% of total alkaloids, calculated as ephedrine

Morphology:

1 m height

Size-1-2mm in diameter and 10-40cm long

Shape- Thin stems which are cylindrical

Colour- Grey to greenish

Odour-When fresh, the herb is aromatic, no odour when dry;

Taste - Bitter and astringent.

Extra feature- It shows nodes and internodes, internodesare  at a distance of 3 to 5cm.

It bears scaly leaves from the nodes in a whorl.Outer surface of the stem is covered with longitudinal wrinkles, stem shows branching at the base, from which green or brown branches arise.

Chemical Constituents:

Amino ALKALOIDS - Ephedrine, nor ephedrine, Pseudoephedrine and Nor-Pseudoephedrine, N-methyl ephedrine, N-methyl pseudo ephedrine etc.

Also contains macrocyclic alkaloids called ephedradines.

Drug also contains oxazolidone.

Other constituents are Flavones, Proteins, Tannins, Saponines, Volatile oil.

Minerals like calcium and phosphorous are also found.

 Uses:

·         It shows sympathomimmetic effects hence is employed in asthmatic conditions and Hay fever (it has an action similar to adrenaline), bronchodilators.

·         It increases blood pressure hence used to correct low B.P.

·         Causes Mydriasis (dilation of the pupil)

·         Diuretic and febrifuge.

·         Has antiviral activity especially against influenza virus.

·         Diuretic and febrifuge.