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Herb of the Month

Somlata / Ephedra Gerardiana / Ephedra Californica




Botanical Name: 

Ephedra californica, Ephedra gerardiana, 

Plant Family: 

Ephedraceae

Common Names: 

Brigham Weed, Ephedrine, Epitonin, 

Origin: 

Indigenous to west central China, southern Siberia and Japan

History: 

It has been used medicinally in China for more than 5000 years. In 2700 BC, Shen Mung, the first Chinese herbalist used the dried roots and stems as a decongestant to treat:  

  • asthma

  • colds

  • coughs

  • fever

  • hay fever

  • headaches

The American Indians used the root for:

  • flushing the kidneys

  • internal bleeding

  • purifying the blood

  • venereal disease

Tradition:

  • It was made as a fermented drink and used ceremonially by Vedic and Zoroastrian priests

Medicinal Parts Used:  

Root and Stems

Contains:

  • Ephedrine, salt of an alkaloid

  • tannin 

Action:

  • antispasmodic [an agent which relieves or eases muscular spasms, cramps or convulsions]

  • decongestant [relieves lung congestion]

  • stimulant [an agent that excites or quickens the functional activity of the tissues giving more energy] to Sympathetic Nervous System similar to adrenaline

Ephedra is used for:

Blood Conditions

  • purifies the blood

Genitourinary Conditions

  • flushes the kidneys

Respiratory Tract Conditions

  • acts on air passages

  • asthma

  • hay fever

  • low blood pressure in influenza and/or pneumonia

Inflammatory Conditions

  • relieves swellings of the mucous membranes

  • rheumatism

  • unstriped muscular fibers

Caution:  

Ephedra should not be used without professional advice if you suffer from

  • diabetes

  • heart disease

  • high blood pressure

  • thyroid trouble

Ayurvedic supplements that contains Somlata :

Shwaskalp