Botanical Name

Botanical Name:

Ephedra gerardiana. Wall . ex Stapf

Family Name:

Gnetaceae

Local Name:

Soom

Urdu Name:

Asamania

English name:

Ephedra

Part used:

Whole plant

Flowering:

May - July

Description:

Ephedra is an evergreen shrub. Stem is slender; erect grooved, green and branching. Branchlets green, ascending and smooth. Leaves are small, scale like, articulate, and sheathing at each joint. Ephedra is a dioecious plant, in which male reproductive organs (Staminate strobili) and female reproductive organs (Female strobili) are born on separate plants. Staminate strobilus solitary or 2 to 3 together. Female strobilus solitary. Fruit, ovoid, red.

Habitat:

In Gilgit/Baltistan it is found dry lands, dry hill slope. And dry sandy tracts

Medicinal uses:

The tincture is cardiac and circulatory stimulant. Liquid extract is used for controlling asthmatic attack. Decoction of stem and root is considered a remedy for rheumatism and syphilis in Russia. In china it is used to treat bronchial asthama, cold, flu, edema, typhoid, cough and various pains. In Pakistan and India it is used to relieve bronchial asthama. Locally it is used to relieve asthama and rheumatism.