Synonym(s)
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Sea grape, also called Ephedra sinica or Ma Huang, is the only genus of the plant family Ephedraceae and belongs to the order Gnetales, the "gymnosperms" and closely related to the conifers. Their distribution area is in the Amur region through Arabia to Portugal, North and East Africa, the Canary Islands, parts of the USA, Mexico and South America. They thrive in dry areas, on sand or rocks.
Phytotherapeutically used the young, dried twigs of the rod (ephedra herb - Ephedrae herba).
Today ephedra is no longer in use as a medicinal plant. Until 1991 positive monograph of Commission E , until 2001 quality in the German Pharmacopoeia.
No adoption into the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) because of the alkaloid ephedrine, which is essentially responsible for the effect of the ephedra herb. In the meantime, ephedrine is produced synthetically. Benefit/risk ratio of the herb assessed negatively.
General informationThis section has been translated automatically.
Meerträubel are lignifying plants, which mostly appear as rod bushes or also as climbing plants. The plants have opposite leaves and unisexual flowers and each cone produces one to three yellow to dark brown seeds.
Ephedra sinica is the parent plant of Ephedrae herba the ephedra herb monographed by the Commission E.
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer
Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles