Mormon Tea, Brigham Tea, Long Leaf Ephedra, Mountain Joint Fir, Mormon Tea, Ephedra

Ephedra viridis

Physical Characteristics

Ephedra viridis is an evergreen Shrub growing to 1.8 m (6ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. It is in leaf all year, in flower from April to May. 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 - California to Colorado and Arizona.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Seed Edible Uses: Tea Fruit - raw. A sweet flavour. Seed - cooked. A bitter flavour, it is 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[183, 257]. The flavour is said to be improved if the stems are roasted first[183].

Medicinal Uses

Blood purifier Diuretic Kidney Poultice Stomachic Tonic VD This plant has a wide reputation as a cure for syphilis[216]. A strong decoction of the stems was drunk and a poultice of the pulverized or boiled stems applied to the sores[257]. The stems are blood purifier, diuretic and tonic[257]. An infusion has been used in the treatment of coughs and colds, anaemia, rheumatism, stomach ulcers and other disorders, kidney problems[257]. The dried, powdered stems are used as a dressing on sores and burns[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