Ephedraceae FAMILY Vulnerable

Ephedra gerardiana

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

4/5

Safety & Hazards

Many species in this genus contain phenylethylamine alkaloids (e.g. ephedrine, pseudoephedrine). These compounds have stimulant properties and are effective medications in the treatment of a number of conditions. However, they do also have potential side effects and are contraindicated in a number of conditions including anxiety, anorexia, bulimia, diabetes, glaucoma, hypertension, thyrotoxicosis[ 2129 Title Ephedra foeminea Forssk. Publication Flora Palestina Ethnobotany website accessed 16/01/2023 Author Website https://florapal.org/plant/ephedra-foeminea/ Publisher Year 2023 ISBN Description ].

Botanical Description

Ephedra gerardiana is a densely tufted, much-branched evergreen shrub with very small, scale-like leaves, woody stems up to 15cm in diameter and green, wiry branches where most of the photosynthesis takes place; it can grow around 20 - 120cm tall[ 329 Title The Gymnosperm Database Publication Author Website http://www.conifers.org/index.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms. ]. Ephedra gerardiana is a commonly used medicinal herb in India, where it is gathered in quantity from the wild for local use and trade[ 2020 Title Trade in Indian Medicinal Plants Publication Ethnobotany of India Vol 5., 321-345, 2018 Author D.K.Ved, S.Noorunnisa Begum, & K.Ravi Kumar Publisher Apple Academic Press; Oakville, Canada Year 2018 ISBN 978-1-77188-600-0 Description ]. It is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.It is a commercail source of ephidrine, used medicinally in the treatment of asthma and other conditions[ 61 Title A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Publication Author Usher. G. Publisher Constable Year 1974 ISBN 0094579202 Description Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader. ]. Ephedra gerardiana is harvested locally for its medicinal properties as well as for fuel and fodder, and is also the target of large-scale exploitation from drug manufacturers due to its high levels of the alkaloid ephedrine. It is suspected that the population has decreased by at least 30 - 50% across a fifteen year period. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2020)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native RangeE. Asia - Mountainous regions of Afghanistan, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Tibet, south central China and the Russian republics of Tuva and Altay.

HabitatStony slopes and gravel terraces, often on calcareous soils, in drier areas of the Himalayas; at elevations from 2,400 - 5, 300 metres[ 51 Title Flowers of the Himalayas. Publication Author Polunin. O. and Stainton. A. Publisher Oxford Universtiy Press Year 1984 ISBN - Description A very readable and good pocket guide (if you have a very large pocket!) to many of the wild plants in the Himalayas. Gives many examples of plant uses. , 329 Title The Gymnosperm Database Publication Author Website http://www.conifers.org/index.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A vast amount of information on conifers and families of gymnosperms. ].