Also known as Green Stem tea, Mormon tea, Brigham Tea.
Green Ephedra (Ephedra viridis) is a fleshy shrub that grows best in desert habitat types especially sandy soils derived from sandstone exposures known as slickrock where plants in general are scarce due to extremes of heat, dryness and limited soil fertility.
Commonly known as Mormon tea, it has been used by native people and early settlers (who learned of it from their indigenous neighbors) as a mild stimulant. It contains no caffeine so people with any aversions to coffee or black tea can feel it’s benefits without side-effects.
As an antiseptic its been used for centuries to treat syphilis and urinary tract infections as well as a topical dressing for wounds. It’s extremely high levels of calcium and phosphorus make the fresh tea useful for mood enhancement as well as helping osteoporosis, many skin conditions and allergic reactions.
Navajos, Paiutes and other tribes have used the mature crushed stems for a yellowish green dye.
Today it is a favorite among many tea drinkers for its subtle but distinctive character and pleasant energetic effect.
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