Synonym(s)
DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.
Sea holly, also known as Ephedra sinica or Ma Huang, is the only genus in the plant family Ephedraceae and belongs to the order Gnetales, the "gymnosperms" and is closely related to the conifers. Its distribution area is from the Amur region via 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.
The young, dried twigs (ephedra herb - Ephedrae herba) were used phytotherapeutically.
Today, ephedra is no longer used as a medicinal plant. Until 1991 positive monograph of Commission E , until 2001 quality in the German Pharmacopoeia.
Not included in the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) because of the alkaloid ephedrine, which is essentially responsible for the effect of ephedra. Ephedrine is now produced synthetically. Benefit/risk ratio of the herb assessed negatively.
General informationThis section has been translated automatically.
Sea buckthorns are woody plants that mostly appear as shrubs or climbing plants. The plants have opposite leaves and unisexual flowers, and each cone produces one to three yellow to dark brown seeds.
Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer
Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles