Mormon Tea, Nevada jointfir

Ephedra nevadensis

Physical Characteristics

Ephedra nevadensis is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to June. The species is dioecious (individual flowers are either male or female, but only one sex is to be found on any one plant so both male and female plants must be grown if seed is required).. The plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

South-western N. America - Arizna, California, Nevada, Oregon and Utah.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Seed Edible Uses: Tea Fruit - raw. A sweet but very mild flavour[K]. Seed - cooked[22, 46, 105, 161, 257]. A bitter taste[92]. It can be roasted and ground into a powder and used to make a bread or mush[183]. A delicious tea is made by steeping the green or dried twigs in boiling water until they turn an amber or pink colour[21, 92, 95, 105, 161, 183].

Medicinal Uses

Blood purifier Diuretic Febrifuge Poultice Tonic VD The stems are blood purifier, diuretic, febrifuge and tonic[22, 46, 61, 257]. They are beneficial in the treatment of urogenital complaints[22, 46, 61]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of kidney problems, gonorrhoea and the first stages of syphilis[257]. A poultice of the powdered stems has been applied to sores[257]. The stems of most members of this genus contain the alkaloid ephedrine and are valuable in the treatment of asthma and many other complaints of the respiratory system[K]. The whole plant can be used at much lower concentrations than the isolated constituents - unlike using the isolated ephedrine, using the whole plant rarely gives rise to side-effects[254]. Ephedra does not cure asthma but in many cases it is very effective in treating the symptoms and thus making life somewhat easier for the sufferer. The stems can be used fresh or dried and are usually made into a tea, though they can also be eaten raw[K]. The young stems are best if eating them raw, though older stems can be used if a tea is made[K]. The stems can be harvested at any time of the year and are dried for later use[238].

Known Hazards

None known