What side effects does the medicinal plant Ephedra have? Introduction to cultivation techniques and pharmacological uses

I. What side effects does Ephedra have?

Ephedra poisoning initially manifests as symptoms of central nervous system and sympathetic nervous system excitation, such as restlessness, nervousness, headache and dizziness, tinnitus and insomnia, nausea and vomiting, upper abdominal discomfort, thirst and sweating, elevated blood pressure, dilated pupils, palpitations and shortness of breath, and precordial pain. In severe cases, there is difficulty urinating, blurred vision, shock, coma, and difficulty breathing, ultimately leading to death from respiratory failure and ventricular fibrillation. At the same time, long-term use of Ephedra can cause addiction.

II. Efficacy and effects of Ephedra

1. Used for exterior excess patterns such as external contraction of wind-cold, aversion to cold and fever, headache and body pain, nasal congestion, absence of sweating, and floating tight pulse. This product can diffuse lung qi, open the interstices, and disperse wind-cold to induce sweating and release the exterior. It is often used in combination with Gui Zhi (Cassia twig) to enhance the sweat-inducing and exterior-releasing power, as in Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction).

2. Used for wheezing and coughing patterns caused by wind-cold binding the exterior and lung qi congestion. It can open and diffuse lung qi, disperse wind-cold, and calm wheezing. When combined with Xing Ren (apricot seed) and Gan Cao (licorice root), it forms San Ao Tang, which can enhance the wheezing-calming effect; if there is concomitant internal cold-fluid, it can be combined with Xi Xin (Asarum), Gan Jiang (dried ginger), Ban Xia (Pinellia tuber), etc., to warm and transform cold-fluid and calm wheezing and stop coughing, as in Xiao Qing Long Tang (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction); if the wheezing and coughing are caused by heat pathogen congesting the lungs, it can be combined with Shi Gao (gypsum), Xing Ren (apricot seed), Gan Cao (licorice root), etc., to clear the lungs and calm wheezing, namely Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Seed, Gypsum and Licorice Decoction).

3. Used for edema with concomitant exterior patterns, it is a key medicine for diffusing lung qi and promoting urination. This product induces sweating and promotes water metabolism, helping to disperse edema. It is often used together with Sheng Jiang (fresh ginger), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), etc., as in Yue Bi Jia Zhu Tang.

4. By taking advantage of Ephedra's effect of warming and dispersing cold pathogens, combined with other corresponding medicines, it can treat wind-damp impediment pain as well as patterns such as yin flat abscess and phlegm nodes.

III. Pharmacological uses of Ephedra

1. Used for edema with concomitant exterior patterns, Ephedra can serve as an excellent medicine for diffusing lung qi and promoting urination. It can induce sweating and promote water metabolism, helping to disperse edema. It is often used together with Sheng Jiang (fresh ginger), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), etc., as in Yue Bi Jia Zhu Tang, and is very suitable for patients with edema to take, with very ideal therapeutic effects.

2. Warming and dispersing cold pathogens: combined with other corresponding medicines, it can treat wind-damp impediment pain as well as patterns such as yin flat abscess and phlegm nodes. When combined with Shu Di (prepared rehmannia), Rou Gui (cinnamon bark), Bai Jie Zi (white mustard seed), etc., as in Yang He Tang. Taking this product can warm and disperse cold pathogens.

3. It has significant efficacy for exterior excess patterns such as external contraction of wind-cold, aversion to cold and fever, headache and body pain, nasal congestion, absence of sweating, and floating tight pulse. This product can diffuse lung qi, open the interstices, and disperse wind-cold to induce sweating and release the exterior. It is often used in combination with Gui Zhi (Cassia twig) to enhance the sweat-inducing and exterior-releasing power, as in Ma Huang Tang (Ephedra Decoction).

4. Wheezing and coughing patterns caused by wind-cold binding the exterior and lung qi congestion. It can open and diffuse lung qi, disperse wind-cold, and calm wheezing. When combined with Xing Ren (apricot seed) and Gan Cao (licorice root), it forms San Ao Tang, which can enhance the wheezing-calming effect; if there is concomitant internal cold-fluid, it can be combined with Xi Xin (Asarum), Gan Jiang (dried ginger), Ban Xia (Pinellia tuber), etc., to warm and transform cold-fluid and calm wheezing and stop coughing, as in Xiao Qing Long Tang (Minor Blue Dragon Decoction); if the wheezing and coughing are caused by heat pathogen congesting the lungs, then Ephedra can be combined with Shi Gao (gypsum), Xing Ren (apricot seed), Gan Cao (licorice root), etc., to clear the lungs and calm wheezing, namely Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang (Ephedra, Apricot Seed, Gypsum and Licorice Decoction). People with coughing and wheezing can choose to take this formula for improvement, with very good results.

IV. Ephedra cultivation techniques

1. Variety selection

There are many varieties of Ephedra, about a dozen or so, but the most widely cultivated is Ephedra intermedia. Its yield and quality are both very good, and many pharmaceutical factories and manufacturers prefer to purchase Ephedra intermedia, so cultivating Ephedra intermedia is guaranteed in terms of both price and sales channels. Next, Ephedra equisetina and Ephedra sinica are also decent choices. Of course, you can make your choice according to your region, to see whether to choose one with good drought resistance, good disease resistance, or good cold resistance.

2. Land preparation and fertilization

Ephedra is generally planted in deep plots with relatively complete soil structure. Its permeability is very strong, and the drainage system is complete. It is best to choose an area near a water source, which facilitates irrigation and drainage. Also, try not to choose clayey soil for the land, as its permeability is poor and it is not suitable for Ephedra growth. When preparing the land, the soil needs to be broken up fairly finely. If possible, plow the land as deeply as possible. Finally, apply sufficient base fertilizer during land preparation. On average, about 4,000 to 5,000 jin of farmyard manure per mu is needed, mixed with about 40 jin of nitrogen fertilizer and about 40 jin of potassium fertilizer, and spread evenly in the field.

3. Sowing and seedling raising

Ephedra seeds are very expensive, so you must be careful when sowing, otherwise if sprouting fails, the loss will be severe. Therefore, before sowing, we carry out corresponding seed treatment. First, we soak Ephedra in warm water at about 30 degrees for three to four hours, then remove it and soak it in a seedling-strengthening solution for about two hours. To enhance the resistance of Ephedra, we can at this time mix the seeds with some agents, then mix them with a layer of sand, and place them at a suitable temperature for germination. After about three days, most of the seeds will have sprouted white shoots, and then they can be sown. When sowing, we can use the hole-sowing or drill-sowing method, with a distance of about 25 cm between each plant and about 30 cm between each row. Sprinkle the seeds evenly on the prepared ground, then cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil.

4. Field management

The first step in field management is to check whether thinning and replanting of seedlings are needed. In places where more seeds have sprouted in the field, we can keep only three to four plants and pull out the rest, then replant the seedlings in places where growth is relatively sparse. When the Ephedra seedlings grow to five or six cm, the first cultivation and weeding can be carried out. Because there will be many weeds during the growth of Ephedra, we must weed in a timely manner so as not to affect the yield. Then, after applying 1,000 jin of farmyard manure, 500 jin of urea, and 50 jin of phosphate fertilizer, earth up the soil and then irrigate. In seasons with relatively heavy rainfall, we need to promptly go to the field to dredge the ditches and lead the rainwater away. The second fertilization is when Ephedra blooms. This is to promote the flowering period, and also to make it set more fruit, so that when seeds are collected later there will be a little more. Finally, to promote fruit growth, generally 500 jin of phosphate fertilizer, 50 jin of potassium fertilizer, and 40 jin of boron fertilizer are used.

5. Disease control

The common diseases and insect pests of Ephedra are damping-off and seedling blight. For damping-off, chlorothalonil is generally used for spraying, once every six to ten days, and after two or three times it will basically be cured. As for seedling blight, if we treated the seeds when sowing, it will basically not occur. However, just in case, we should also carefully observe changes in plant growth, and then spray with Bavirin for prevention and control. Ephedra sometimes also suffers from some insect pests, such as aphids and inchworms. Generally, dimethoate emulsion can be used for spraying. If it is relatively severe, then multiple sprays are needed to alleviate the condition.

6. Timely harvesting

The best growth period for Ephedra can be said to be around June, so our harvest time is generally in September. Since Ephedra can grow for many years, the harvesting method is to cut off the stems above ground with a sickle, then clean the soil and sand off the stems, cut them into small sections and dry them in the sun, and finally package them.