Mormon Tea
OTHER NAME(S): American Ephedra, Brigham Tea, Desert Tea, Éphédra du Nevada, Gray Ephedra, Green Ephedra, Nevada Ephedra, Popotillo, Squaw Tea, Teamster's Tea, Thé des Mormons, Thé Mormon, Ephedra nevadensis, Ephedra viridis, Té Mormón, Thé Des Mormons
Overview
Mormon tea (Ephedra nevadensis) is an evergreen shrub that is used to make a tea. It contains large amounts of tannins, which have a drying effect.
The tannins in Mormon tea can reduce body secretions such as mucus.
People sometimes use Mormon tea for common cold and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
Don't confuse Mormon tea (Ephedra nevadensis) with ephedra (Ephedra sinica and other ephedra species). Unlike these other plants, Mormon tea does not contain ephedrine, an unsafe stimulant.
Uses
We currently have no information for Mormon Tea overview.
Side Effects
When taken by mouth: Mormon tea is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if Mormon tea is safe when used in larger amounts as medicine. Side effects might include constipation, stomach upset, and kidney and liver damage.
Precautions
When taken by mouth: Mormon tea is commonly consumed in foods. But there isn't enough reliable information to know if Mormon tea is safe when used in larger amounts as medicine. Side effects might include constipation, stomach upset, and kidney and liver damage.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if Mormon tea is safe when used in larger amounts as medicine while pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and stick to food amounts.
Interactions
We currently have no information for Mormon Tea overview.
Dosing
There isn't enough reliable information to know what an appropriate dose of Mormon tea might be. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult a healthcare professional before using.
References
- McGuffin M, Hobbs C, Upton R, Goldberg A, eds. American Herbal Products Association's Botanical Safety Handbook. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, LLC 1997.
- Foster S, Tyler VE. Tyler's Honest Herbal, 4th ed., Binghamton, NY: Haworth Herbal Press, 1999.
- Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999.
- Adamczyk B, Simon J, Kitunen V, Adamczyk S, Smolander A. Tannins and their complex interaction with different organic nitrogen compounds and enzymes: old paradigms versus recent advances. ChemistryOpen. 2017;6(5):610-614.
- McRae JM, Kennedy JA. Wine and grape tannin interactions with salivary proteins and their impact on astringency: a review of current research. Molecules. 2011;16(3):2348-64.