Ephedra viridis / nevadensis

[Lemon Flip]

Ephedra viridis / nevadensis are species of Ephedra native to the US west with the colloquial name of mormon tea. Mormon tea because the mormons who had already banned "Hot drinks" on their trek from the east to Utah when it was unnamed and a territory to escape religious persecution used it as a stimulant drug to help with the exhaustion and long days. Turns out Ephedra viridis / nevadensis either do NOT contain ephedrine/pseudoephedrine or the contain extremely small quantities of it. It is said that the effects are a result from increasing the body temperature and metabolism and that is how it "wakes people up". I have been searching far and wide for research on the actually alkaloid responsible for this effect but because of its close affiliation with E. sinica (the chinese brother) I can't seem to find any more info.

I live in the US west and have been drinking E. viridis/nevadensis (2 distinct species, both have similar effects and I just combine the 2) in tea form and it has a distinct stimulation, almost feels jittery but it never quite gets there. It seems to be potentiated by Peganum harmala slightly, or maybe it is just synergy as I've never tried high doses of harmalas with it and I know harmala are stimulating in low doses.

Do any fellow nexians have either any experience with the Ephedras that do not contain ephedrine / pseudoephedrine AND do any of you guys know of any sources I can learn about the actual phytochemistry of this wonderful woody evergeen?

To clarify I am NOT talking of Ephedra sinica, ephedrine, or pseudoephedrine.

Thanks

 

[numinoid]

"Ephedra Nevadensis" very green, with long stems, was once purchased in a food-coop "health food store." It very definitely opened nasal passages clogged by allergic rhinitis in a profound and delightful way, and was distinct from the usual effects of "ephedra" (sinica) which in contrast has it's effects, beside stimulation, in the lungs. I have looked for it since and not found it.

Got a reference for "no pseudoephedrine, or in very low amounts?"

 

[downwardsfromzero]

Got a reference for "[b']no pseudoephedrine[/b], or in very low amounts?"

That's amusingly similar to "norpseudoephedrine", of which it is also unclear whether these plants contain any. This would act as a compound responsible for decongestant effects, indeed preparations of this substance are sold as such.

 

[Lemon Flip]

It IS worth noting that I was born asmatic, and I indeed notice similar decongestive and bronchodilating effects from these western species of Ephedra as I do with datura, and pseudoephedrine.

I have also found sources claiming pseudoephedrine in very small amounts to not being present. From personal experience at high doses, I notice a mood-lift that is reminiscent of pseudoephedrine. I think it is possible some specimens/strains produce enough pseudoephedrine to play a minor role. Or perhaps the pseudoephedrine potentiates the other stimulating effects.