Brigham Tea, Squaw Tea & Mormon Tea - It's All The Same!
Nov 02, 2023Ephedra viridis / Ephedra nevadensis / Ephedra sinica - (most potent)
A few weeks ago I was teaching at a women's retreat in the mountains not too far from home and couldn't resist stopping to wild-craft some herbs that don't grow as abundantly down in the valley. I always keep some clippers and a bag in my car just in case.
This twiggy plant has many nicknames: Brigham tea, Squaw tea, Mormon tea.
- It thrives in dry places and gravely soil.
- It's very slow growing, so I make sure not to take too much from one plant.
- There are about 50 known varieties worldwide, with 10 varieties that grow naturally in the United States.
After harvesting I make sure to let it dry completely in a brown paper bag. It's so twiggy it can dry just fine without laying it out.
Brigham Tea has traditionally been used as a bronchodilator and decongestant. It opens up the lungs and helps clear chest congestion which makes it helpful for asthma and hay fever symptoms.
You might recognize it's Latin name "Ephedra" or the Chinese name "Ma Huang" (pronounced "ma wa ang"). Ephedrine is an active constituent in the plant that has been extracted and synthesized. Not too long ago people south out this drug for weight loss, but there were too many deaths and serious side-effects so in the early 2000's this drug was banned in the U.S. Remember, plants in their whole form behave much differently than an extracted component behaves in the body.
There is some difference of opinion just how much ephedrine is in the American varieties of this plant. It is believed that they contain little to no ephedrine alkaloid, but growing conditions do affect plant constituents. However, it does contain a potent adrenalin-mimicker useful for opening up the lungs, especially if taken prior to allergy attacks.
Cultures around the world have used Ephedra medicinally. The Chinese utilized this plant for more than five thousand years. Native Americans, Eastern Indians, and early settlers of the American continent readily used Ephedra for all sorts of symptoms: Headaches, colds, coughs, fevers, specifically malarial fevers, and infections.
After harvesting and drying, I store my herbs in airtight containers away from light or near heat. This helps extend their shelf life.
Wrap your lips around a cup of this mildly flavored tea - and breathe a little freer!
Kristi Taylor is a Master Herbalist, Clinical Herbalist and Natural healing Guide®. She endeavors to share her knowledge and passion of natural healing with whomever will listen – because nature’s wisdom never ceases to delight and amaze!
References
Blumenthal, Mark. FDA Announces Ban on Ephedra Supplements: Federal Move Follows Bans by California, Illinois and New York. HerbGram Issue 61 (American Botanical Council, herbalgram.org) page 64-65.
Buhner, Stephen Harrod. Herbal Antivirals: Natural Remedies for Emerging & Resistant Viral Infections. (Storey Publishing, MA: 2013).
Christopher, John R. Herb Syllabus: Master Herbalist Guide. (Christopher Publications, UT: 2010).
Fife, A. E. (1957). Pioneer Mormon remedies. Western folklore, 16(3), 153-162.
Moore, Michael. Medicinal Plants of the Pacific West. Museum of New Mexico Press, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 1993.
Ritchason, Jack, N.D. The Little Herb Encyclopedia. Woodland Publishing, Salt Lake City, UT. 1995.
