Ephedra Gerardiana : Overview
Introduction
Ephedra gerardiana is a species of plant in the Ephedraceae family, commonly known as Gerard’s jointfir.Ephedra gerardiana is a shrub with slender, jointed stems. It typically has a bluish-green color and can grow up to 1 meter in height.The leaves are small, scale-like, and opposite, often reduced to sheaths.The plant is dioecious, meaning individual plants are either male or female. The flowers are small, inconspicuous, and typically appear in clusters.The fruits are berry-like cones, which are red when mature and contain seeds.
Botanical Name:
Ephedra pachyclada Boiss.
Ephedra gerardiana Wall. ex Stapf.
Ephedra intermedia Schrenk & Mey
Family:
Gnetaceae (Ephedraceae)
Urdu Name:
Som Kalapna, Masania, Narom, Soma Kalpa
English Name:
Ephedra
Parts Used:
Above ground parts
Temperament:
Hot + dry
Order:
2nd order
Geographical source:
Pakistan, China, North West parts of India, Australia, Kenya, Spain, Yugoslavia.
Organoleptic Evaluation:
Taste: Bitter, pungent, and slightly sweet.
Odor: Characteristic, slightly bitter, and aromatic.
Texture: The stems and leaves are brittle and fragile, while the roots are fibrous and tough.
Color: The stems and leaves range from greenish-yellow to brown, while the roots are brown to grayish-brown.
Appearance: This small, shrub-like plant features yellowish-green stems and leaves.
Pharmacological Actions / Functions:
Ephedra exhibits several pharmacological actions, including being alterative, diuretic, stomachic, tonic, antiasthmatic, and sudorific. It is particularly effective in managing bronchospasm in reversible airway obstruction associated with stable asthma or chronic bronchitis. Additionally, it provides relief from unproductive cough accompanied by upper respiratory tract congestion, including congestion caused by allergies.
Specific Actions:
Ephedra acts as an antiasthmatic (antihistamine) and bronchodilator, making it useful in treating various respiratory disorders such as asthma and nasal congestion.
Chemical Constituents:
The active compounds, including ephedrine, lignans, flavonoids, pseudoephedrine, spermine alkaloids, phenylethylamine alkaloids, polysaccharides, catechols, tyrosine derivatives, and ephedranine A and B, contribute to these effects.
Mode of Action:
1-Respiratory Tract Protection:
Ephedra’s active compounds, such as ephedrine, help relieve bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and allergic rhinitis by dilating the airways and improving lung function. Beta-2 agonists present in the plant relax bronchial smooth muscle, enhance bronchial mucus clearance, reduce inflammation in the airways, and alleviate asthma symptoms, leading to improved breathing.
2-Urinary Tract Protection:
Ephedra’s diuretic effects increase urine production, which may help manage edema and urinary issues. The compound catechol-O-methyl-transferase (COMT) metabolizes ephedrine, a major alkaloid in Ephedra gerardiana, in the kidneys. COMT converts ephedrine into its metabolites, which are then excreted in the urine.
Medicinal Uses:
- Ephedra has been recognized as a significant drug in Chinese Materia Medica. However, recent authors of Greco-Arab medicine suggest it has not been included in Unani or Ayurvedic Materia Medica. Historically, it has been used as Soma by the Aryans in Oriental lands.
- The powdered leaves of Ephedra have been successfully used in treating bronchial asthma, particularly when symptoms worsen at night.
- Its decoction serves as an alterative and is prescribed for acute muscular and articular rheumatism and syphilis. Additionally, Ephedra helps remove excess phlegm, improves digestion, and tones the intestines.
- The drug is beneficial in cases where antipyrine, salol, antifebrine, and salicylate of soda have failed. It relieves rheumatic pains, slows down the pulse, normalizes respiratory function, and alleviates bronchial spasm. Ephedra has shown good results in treating whooping cough, either alone or in combination with other drugs. It is particularly effective in phlegmatic (productive) asthma and allergic skin conditions like urticaria.
Compound Preparations:
Ephedra is included in compound preparations such as cough syrup, alongside other species like
Suduri
Corezcol
lungsol
Dosage:
The recommended dosage is 500 mg of Safuf (powdered leaves) in decoction form.
Corrigent:
Honey and gum acacia are used as corrigents.
Tenedium:
Ephedra pachyclada Boiss. and Ephedra intermedia Schrenk & Mey can be used as substitutes for Ephedra gerardiana Wall ex Stapf. Additionally, Arusa (Adhatoda vasica Nees.) and Hyssopus officinalis Linn. (Zufah yabis) are noted for their similar uses.
Side Effects:
Adverse effects of Ephedra may include acute pain in the cardiac region, distress in the pericardium, palpitation, flushing of the skin, and tingling or numbness of the extremities. In patients with organic heart disease, Ephedra may cause decompensation. It is also liable to produce constipation and loss of appetite. Continuous use of its alkaloidal components may lead to insomnia and hyperactivity in some cases.
Prescription:
Syrup:
( For Respiratory Diseases dry cough, wet cough, Asthma)
Ephedra Gerardiana (Soma Kalpa) 20g
Adhatoda Vasica (Barag Bansha) 20g
Ziziphus Jujuba (Unab) 20g
Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Mulethi) 10g
Fennel (Saunf) 10g
Make a syrup
Usage:
Adult: 1 Teaspoon twice a day.
Children: 1/2 Teaspoon twice a day.