Tinctura Ephedre 30ml (Ephedra fragilis) WILDCRAFTED

Ephedra fragilis, commonly named the joint pine or buck herb, plant from Ephedraceae plant family. Ephedra species primarly occur in Euroasia and the Americas. Three species were found in Himalayan region. Threre are aslo several species growing in China and central Asia (Ephedra sinica). Ephedra species also grow in Europe, chiefly on south-east Mediterranian. This Ephedra bushes can be easily mistaken for Ephedra-like broom (Genista epherdoides) that is found throughout the Mediterranian.

Ephedra plant is herbaceous, practically leafless and stand in bunches of knotty, segmented stalks. Don't grow taller than 50cm but, there are huge specimen found in Croatian costal region. Small, unimpressive blooms grows directly on the stalk. In the fall, small round red fruits mature witha few black seeds (usually three seeds). Ephedra fruit looks astonishingly to yew fruit (Taxus baccata), and taste quite the same. Neither fruit is poisonous and both are very enjoyable, contrary to to popular belief.

 

The medicinal significance of Ephedra is based on the sympathomimetic properties of ephedrine alkaloids. Pharmacological effects depend on the phytocomposition of individual Ephedra species. Ephedra is one of the oldest known drugs, having been used by the Chinese for at least 5000 years. It contains alkaloids of the ephedrine (E)-type which act as sympathomimetics. The pharmacological and toxicological effects depend on the individual E alkaloid type, its enantiomeric form and receptor binding characteristics. Ephedrine stimulates the heart rate, increases blood pressure, promotes bronchodilatation, and exhibits pronounced effects on the central nervous system (CNS) by binding to adrenergic receptors. Pseudoephedrine (PE) acts similarly, yet, with fewer CNS effects. Many plants, which have a stimulatory effect on the CNS, synthesize substances that contain phenylethylamine or xanthine structures that are able to enhance catecholaminergic effects and/or to act on adrenoreceptors. In the past, E alkaloids were used in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of various conditions such as asthma, nasal congestion, and hypotension caused by spinal anesthesia and urinary incontinence. Today, there is a rising interest for the application of Ephedra in enhancing performance and appetite suppression.

The phytochemical composition of various Ephedra species is not completely elucidated. Secondary metabolites originating from Ephedra species comprise alkaloids, amino acids and derivatives, volatiles, and phenolic compounds. Ephedra species contain alkaloids of biological relevance: epedrine, pseudoephedrine, norephedrine, norpseudoephedrine, methylephedrine, and methylpseudoephedrine. Beside the E-type alkaloids, ephedroxane, and macrocyclic spermidines called Ephedradine A-D, have been found in some Eurasian Ephedra species.

 

Medical and aphodisiac uses of ephedra

 

Members of this genus contain various medicinally active alkaloids (but notably ephedrine) and they are widely used in preparations for the treatment of asthma and catarrh. The whole plant can be used at much lower concentrations than the isolated constituents - unlike using the isolated ephedrine, using the whole plant rarely gives rise to side-effects. The plant also has antiviral effects, particularly against influenza. The stems are a pungent, bitter, warm herb that dilates the bronchial vessels whilst stimulating the heart and central nervous system. The stems are also diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, hypertensive, nervine, pectoral, tonic, vasoconstrictor and vasodilator. They are used internally in the treatment of asthma, hay fever and allergic complaints. They are also combined with a number of other herbs and used in treating a wide range of complaints. This herb should be used with great caution, preferably under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. It should not be prescribed to patients who are taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors, or suffering from high blood pressure, hyperthyroidism or glaucoma. Ephedrine is seen as a performance-boosting herb and, as such, is a forbidden substance in many sporting events such as athletics. The stems can be harvested at any time of the year and are dried for later use.

Most ephedra herbs were used ethnomedicinally not only as aphrodisiacs, but also as diuretics, due to their mucous membrane-swelling effects, but were primarily used for treatment of asthma and hay fever. They are fastworking agents for nasal congestion, nasal catarrh, and cold and respiratory illnesses, and are among the most effective natural anti-allergens. This ethnomedicinal aspect equally applies to datura, also both a meaningful aphrodisiac and an asthma agent.

 

Ephedra may be the oldest plant used in ritual and cultural ways. Plant remains were found in the caves of the Shkaft Mazin Shanidar, a 60,000-year old burial site of the Neanderthals (Homo sapiens neanderthalensis) of Shanidar, Kurdistan (in current Iraq). The Neanderthals used them in rituals, as an entheogen, and/or for medicinal purposes. Ephedra and other bioactive flowers were given to the dead on their final journey. The “Neanderthal ephedra“ was identified as Ephedra altissima ( = E.-distachya-type, E. fragilis-type) and is possibly related to a type of Ephedra alta, Ephedra foliata, or Ephedra fragilis ssp. Campyloda . Many of these varieties are still used ethnomedicinally today.

In ancient Persia, also in the neighborhood of the Neanderthal region, the ephedra herb was prepared in cultic ways and used as a libation. Ephedra may also have been used for its stimulating, energizing, awakening, sensationsharpening, and appetite-suppressing effects by the cave bear cults. It has mainly been documented in the Alps, made possible because the endemic varieties (Ephedra helvetica) came from Switzerland. It is currently impossible to know for certain if the Neanderthals used ephedra as an aphrodisiac. If so, ephedra is humanity’s oldest known aphrodisiac - more than 60,000 years!
In Europe, one meets ephedra occasionally, mainly in the eastern Mediterranean region (Greece). It mostly grows in close proximity to the sea on stony subsoil. In antiquity, it was called - possibly as a reference to the aphrodisiacal effects - “mounting herb.” It was drunk in wine by the intoxicating cult of Dionysus. It was also called nutrition of Saturn and used in the orgiastic Saturnalia of ancient Rome. The ephedra variety (Ephedra helvetica) that is domestic to Switzerland contains high concentrations of alkaloids and is mainly used in the Valais region.