DrugInfoSys

Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf

Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf

Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf is also known as Ephedra distachya Auct. non Linn., Ephedra vulgaris Hk. f., Ephedra walichii Stapf. belongs to Ephedraceae, Gnetaceae family.

The Arabic names for this herb are Alend, Zanbul Khail.

The English names for this herb are Ephedra, Ma-Huang.

The Urdu names for this herb are Masania, Narom, Som Kalapna, Soma Kalpa.

Warning: Adverse effects of Ephedra may include acute pain in the cardiac region, feeling of distress in the pericardium, palpitation, flushing of the skin, tingling or numbness of the extremities. In patients with organic disease of the heart, it may produce decompensation.Liable to produce constipation and loss of appetite. Patient may complain insomnia following (continuous) use of alkaloidal components. Hyperactivity may result in such cases.

Description

Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf. A small, nearly erect shrub, variable in size, but typically not exceeding a few inches in height. It bears dark green, cylindrical, striated, often curved branches arising in whorls, intemodes of branchlets, 1-4 cm long and 1-2 mm in diameter. Fruit ovoid, red, sweet and edible, containing 1 or 2 seeds, more or less enclosed by succulent bracts'126'. Dried whole herb is light brownish in colour.

Pharmacological Actions

The pharmacological actions of Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf's Decoction (leaves) are Alterative, Stomachic.

The pharmacological actions of Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf are Alterative, Anti-asthmatic, Anti-histamine, Bronchodilator, Cardiac Muscles Depressant, Diuretic, Smooth Muscles Depressant, Stomachic, Sudorific, Sympathetic Nervous System Stimulant, Tonic.

Indications

The indications of Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf's Decoction (leaves) are Syphilis, Acute Muscular Rheumatism, Articular Rheumatism.

The indications of Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf are Eruptions, Chronic Bronchitis, Unproductive Cough, Upper Respiratory Tract Congestion, Pertussis, Syphilis, Rheumatism, Headache, Malaria, Productive Cough, Allergy, Cough, Fever, Bronchial Spasm, Cold, Asthma, Diarrhoea, Urticaria, Whooping Cough.

The indication of Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf's Leaves (powder) is Bronchial Asthma.

Contraindications

None recorded.

Temperament

The temperament of Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf is 2nd order, warm and dry.

Occurrence, Taste & Odor

Taste: Astringent.

Dosage

PartDoseInstructions
Whole Herb0.000 – 0.000 N/A
Leaves (powder)0.500 – 1.000 gN/A

Available Brands

Compound Preparations

Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf is used in the preparation of Suduri.

Substitutes

The substitutes of Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf are [Other species may be used as antiasthmatic.], Adhatoda vasica Nees [It should be used in cough.], Hyssopus officinalis Linn. [It should be used in cough.].

Active Constituents

The active constituents of Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf are Ephedrine, Methyl Ephedrine, N-Methyl-Pseudoephedrine, Norpseudoephedrine, Pseudoephedrine.

Antidotes

The antidotes of Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf are Acacia arabica (Lam.) Willd. (Gum), Apis mellifera L. (Honey).

Toxicity

Currently no Toxicity information is available for Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf. (work in progress)