Ephedra is an odd one out in the plant world: a shrub without real leaves, with green, jointed stems that look a bit like horsetail. The best-known species is ma huang (Ephedra sinica), the plant ephedrine was first isolated from. But not every ephedra is ma huang. In this post you'll learn which species exist, how to grow ephedra from seed and what the rules are.
What is ephedra?
Ephedra is a genus of gymnosperm shrubs, related to conifers rather than flowering plants. They grow in dry, sunny places: deserts, steppes, rocky slopes and dry riverbeds in Asia, Europe and North and South America. The green stems do the job of leaves. The real leaves are no more than tiny scales at the joints.
Ephedra is dioecious: there are male and female plants. Female plants form small cones that turn red and fleshy in some species. So you need both sexes for seed, and you can only tell a plant's sex once it forms its first cones.
Ma huang or nevadensis?
Ma huang is the Chinese name for the herb of Ephedra sinica, which has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine. The Japanese chemist Nagai Nagayoshi isolated ephedrine from it in 1885. Ephedra nevadensis comes from the southwestern US, where it's known as Mormon tea or Nevada jointfir. This species contains no significant amount of ephedrine.
| Species | Origin | Ephedrine | Hardiness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ephedra sinica (ma huang) | Mongolia, northern China, Russia | Yes, the main source | Very hardy |
| Ephedra nevadensis (Mormon tea) | Southwestern US | No significant amount | Moderate, keep dry |
| Ephedra viridis (green Mormon tea) | Western US | Little | Moderate |
What does it contain?
The best-known compounds in ephedra are ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. These are stimulant alkaloids that resemble adrenaline. Among other things, they raise heart rate and blood pressure. Content varies a lot by species. Asian species such as Ephedra sinica are the known source, while American species such as Ephedra nevadensis contain hardly any.
No approved health claims exist for ephedra. In fact, since 2015 ephedra herb may no longer be used in food in the EU at all.
Which ephedra will you grow?
| Product | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Ephedra nevadensis seeds | 20 seeds of the American Mormon tea | A tough, graceful desert shrub for a dry, sunny spot |
Browse our exotic seeds for other unusual plants.
Growing ephedra from seed
Ephedra grows slowly and likes it dry. These steps give the seed its best chance.
- Give a cold period (recommended for nevadensis). Mix the seed with moist sand in a bag and keep it in the fridge for four weeks. In trials, about three quarters of the seed treated this way germinated within two weeks.
- Make a sandy mix. Use at least half coarse sand or grit, the rest regular potting soil. No compost or fertiliser.
- Sow and cover lightly. Place the seed on the mix and cover it with a thin layer of sand.
- Keep it around 20 °C (68 °F). Slightly moist, never wet. Seed usually germinates in two to four weeks, sometimes later.
- Pot up slowly. Only move seedlings once they're a few centimetres tall, into a pot with the same sandy mix.
Position and care
- Light: full sun. Ephedra won't grow in shade.
- Water: little. Let the soil dry out completely in between.
- Soil: poor and very free-draining. Lime is no problem.
- Feeding: not needed.
- Winter: in its native range nevadensis takes frost down to about -15 °C (5 °F), but not combined with wet. In a wet climate, keep a pot under cover or in a cold greenhouse in winter. Sinica is much hardier.
Common mistakes
- Keeping it too wet: the roots rot, especially in winter.
- Plain potting soil without sand: holds too much water.
- Giving up too soon: the seed can be slow, and the plant grows slowly in its first years.
- Feeding: gives soft growth that's prone to rot.
- Expecting every ephedra to be ma huang: only certain species contain ephedrine.
Safety
- Ephedrine and ephedra products have been linked to high blood pressure, heart attacks, seizures and strokes, even with short-term, low-dose use.
- Never combine ephedra with caffeine, other stimulants, MAO inhibitors or heart and blood pressure medication.
- Don't use with heart or vascular disease, thyroid problems, or during pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- On medication or unsure? Ask your doctor or pharmacist first.
Avalon sells ephedra as seed for growing and doesn't give usage advice. All our products are for adults aged 18 and over only. You'll find more background on Erowid.
Is ephedra legal?
- Growing: ephedra seeds and plants can be bought and grown freely in the Netherlands and most other countries.
- Food and supplements: since 2015 ephedra herb has been banned in food in the EU (Regulation (EU) 2015/403). In the US, the FDA banned dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids in 2004.
- Pure compounds: ephedrine and pseudoephedrine are listed as drug precursors in the EU because they can be used to make methamphetamine.
Always check the rules where you live.
Frequently asked questions
Is ma huang the same as ephedra?
Ma huang is the Chinese name for Ephedra sinica and related Asian species. Ephedra is the name of the whole genus.
Does Ephedra nevadensis contain ephedrine?
No, not in any significant amount. It's mainly a graceful, tough desert shrub.
Is ephedra related to horsetail?
No. They look alike because of the green, jointed stems, but horsetail is a spore plant and ephedra is a gymnosperm shrub.
How long does ephedra seed take to germinate?
Usually two to four weeks at around 20 °C. For nevadensis, a four-week cold period in the fridge helps.
Can ephedra stay outside in winter?
Ephedra sinica is very hardy. Ephedra nevadensis struggles in wet winters and does best in a pot under cover.
Where can I buy ephedra seeds?
You'll find Ephedra nevadensis seeds at Avalon.
Sources: University of Washington propagation protocol Ephedra nevadensis (USDA data), Strictly Medicinal Seeds (Ephedra sinica), Wikipedia "Ephedra sinica" and "Ephedra nevadensis", Regulation (EU) 2015/403, FDA (2004).
