American Desert Herb is found in the arid deserts of the southwestern United States. The American Indians used American Desert Herb to treat syphilis and mucous discharges; early pioneers considered it a good blood purifier.  American Desert Herb has also been used in the former Soviet Union for treating rheumatism.

 

Mormon Tea is the milder American relative in the family of ephedras that is used to relieve respiratory conditions, marked by excess mucus, lung congestion, clogged nasal passages, as well as symptoms of asthma, hay fever and allergies.

 

American Desert Herb is used for asthma, headaches, fevers, colds, allergies, bladder and kidney problems, and bursitis.  American Desert Herb stimulates the nervous system and acts directly on the muscle cells. Blood vessels are affected, circulation is improved, and the heartbeat becomes slower and stronger.  American Desert Herb is considered a bronchial dilator and decongestant, and contains vitamin B-12, cobalt, strontium, nickel and copper.

History:

Mormon Tea is a member of the ephedra family, which encompasses some of the most powerful medicinal plants known. American ephedra (Ephedra trifurca or Ephedra. navadenis) is a relative of Ephedra sinica or Ephedra sinensis, which the Chinese have called Ma Huang and used for five thousand years as an effective respiratory tonic that dilates bronchial and nasal passages and remedy for asthma, lung constriction and congestion, colds and coughs. In addition, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners have used it to alleviate water retention, fevers (including malaria), excess sweating, headaches, skin problems and shortness of breath, and it was one of the original 365 herbs that were included in the first-century classic, Shen Nong Herbal. Ephedra’s active constituent, ephedrine, was isolated in 1887, but did not become popular with U. S. physicians until 1924, for its broncho-dilating and decongesting properties. Mormon Tea is a milder member of the ephedra family than the Chinese variety, but it used in a similar fashion, but unlike E. sinica, Mormon Tea does not contain the high content of ephedrine, an alkaloid that is very effective medically, but has the side effects of raising blood pressure and heart rate. Mormon Tea, however, does contain nor-pseudoephedrine, which gives it similar asthma and respiratory support, supposedly without the side effects. The Mormon Tea plant is a native shrub of western North America and is found in upland desert and foothill habitats, usually in rocky or sandy soil, growing to about four feet in height. The plant is a low-growing evergreen that bears bright green, almost leafless stems, with greenish/golden flowers that are borne in pairs along branches, blooming in spring and early summer. It is a hardy shrub that is fairly cold and drought resistant and prefers full sun and well-drained soils with no supplemental water. There are ten ephedra species in North America, including E. trifurca and E. nevadensis, and these native plants of the deserts of the American Southwest were used extensively as food and in herbal medicines by Native American tribes, Mormon pioneers and other early settlers, hence many of its common names, Mormon Tea, Brigham Tea, Desert Tea, Squaw Tea, etc. The North American plants, although closely related to the similar species found in China and Eurasia, are reported to contain no significant amounts of pharmacologically active alkaloids, and the same is said to be true for the Central American varieties (Lawrence Review, 1989). Both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine stimulate the central nervous system and dilate the bronchial tubes, and the use of ephedra has been proscribed by the U.S.F.D.A., but is now being considered for use once again. A synthetic form of pseudoephedrine is a popular over-the-counter remedy for relief of nasal congestion and allergies. It is considered a pungent, bitter, warming herb, and the whole plant is used in herbal medicine. The chemical constituents in the American ephedra plant are said to be less concentrated then their Chinese counterpart, but still used for the same medicinal purposes, and they include several vitamins, ellagic acid, nor-pseudoephedrine, protein, flavone, saponins, tannins, essential oil, gallic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and zinc.

 

Mormon Tea is a member of the ephedra family, which encompasses some of the most powerful medicinal plants known. American ephedra (Ephedra nevadensis ) is a relative of Ephedra sinica or Ephedra sinensis, which the Chinese have called Ma Huang and used for five thousand years as an effective respiratory tonic that dilates bronchial and nasal passages and remedy for asthma, lung constriction and congestion, colds, and coughs. In addition, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) practitioners have used it to alleviate water retention, fevers (including malaria), excess sweating, headaches, skin problems and shortness of breath, and it was one of the original 365 herbs that were included in the first-century classic, Shen Nong Herbal. Ephedra's active constituent, ephedrine, was isolated in 1887, but did not become popular with U. S. physicians until 1924, for its broncho-dilating and decongesting properties. Mormon Tea is a milder member of the ephedra family than the Chinese variety, but it used in a similar fashion, but unlike E. sinica, Mormon Tea does not contain ephedrine, an alkaloid that is very effective medically, but has the side effects of raising blood pressure and heart rate. Mormon Tea, however, does contain nor-pseudoephedrine, which gives it similar asthma and respiratory support, supposedly without the side effects. The Mormon Tea plant is a native shrub of western North America and is found in upland desert and foothill habitats, usually in rocky or sandy soil, growing to about four feet in height. The plant is a low-growing evergreen that bears bright green, almost leafless stems, with greenish/golden flowers that are borne in pairs along branches, blooming in spring and early summer. It is a hardy shrub that is fairly cold and drought resistant and prefers full sun and well-drained soils with no supplemental water. There are ten ephedra species in North America, including E. trifurca and E. nevadensis, and these native plants of the deserts of the American Southwest were used extensively as food and in herbal medicines by Native American tribes, Mormon pioneers and other early settlers, hence many of its common names, Mormon Tea, Brigham Tea, Desert Tea, Squaw Tea, etc. The North American plants, although closely related to the similar species found in China and Eurasia, are reported to contain no significant amounts of pharmacologically active alkaloids, and the same is said to be true for the Central American varieties (Lawrence Review, 1989). Both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine stimulate the central nervous system and dilate the bronchial tubes, and the use of ephedra has been proscribed by the U.S.F.D.A., but is now being considered for use once again. A synthetic form of pseudoephedrine is a popular over-the-counter remedy for relief of nasal congestion and allergies. It is considered a pungent, bitter, warming herb, and the whole plant is used in herbal medicine. The chemical constituents in the American ephedra plant are said to be less concentrated than their Chinese counterpart, but still used for the same medicinal purposes, and they include several vitamins, ellagic acid, nor-pseudoephedrine, protein, flavone, saponins, tannins, essential oil, gallic acid, calcium, iron, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, potassium, selenium and zinc.

Beneficial Uses:

Mormon Tea has been used to relieve respiratory system ailments. It is said to act quickly to reduce swellings of the mucous membranes and dilate the bronchial vessels, reducing excess mucus and phlegm. While it does not cure asthma, it is believed to be effective in treating its symptoms, as well as the symptoms of hay fever and other allergic complaints. These decongestant properties are also said to relieve symptoms of colds, coughs, lung constriction and congestion.

 

The milder American ephedra in Mormon Tea is said to be an excellent diuretic that helps to eliminate fluids from the body and relieve excess water weight.

 

Mormon Tea is a central nervous system stimulant, and some claim its actions are similar to those of adrenaline. Although the alkaloid content is reduced in American species, both ephedrine and pseudoephedrine elevate heart rate and also blood pressure by constricting the blood vessels (vasoconstrictor).  In turn, this action is said to force more blood to the extremities (head, arms, legs, feet), stimulating the brain and nerve centers and reducing fatigue and weariness. This feature is also believed to help to elevate low moods and ease depression.

 

This stimulating action of Mormon Tea upon the sympathetic nervous system is also thought to precipitate an increased metabolic rate, thereby increasing thermo-genesis and the burning of adipose tissue (body fat). Ephedrine, in fact, has been an ingredient in many diet formulas. Mormon Tea may also decrease the appetite and may help in cases of obesity, particularly where there is a low metabolic rate, but this should always be conducted under the supervision of a health care provider. Its effects in the system are said to be fairly long-lasting, sometimes up to twenty-four hours.

 

Recent research into the effects of Mormon Tea claim that it has demonstrated antiviral properties, most notably in the treatment of influenza, and because it is considered a diaphoretic, the herb is also thought to reduce fever by increasing perspiration.

 

 

Contraindications:  Pregnant and nursing women should not use Mormon Tea. People who take MAO inhibitors or other prescription medications and those with high blood pressure, heart or thyroid disease, diabetes, glaucoma, prostate enlargement, urinary problems should always consult a health care provider before using products containing Ephedra/Ephedrine compounds. Mormon Tea should not be used by those under eighteen years of age. If symptoms of nervousness, tremor, insomnia, loss of appetite or nausea occur, discontinue or reduce the use of this product. Because Mormon Tea is an astringent, it may cause constipation. It is always advisable to consult a physician before using Mormon Tea for any specific applications.