: Because the American species (like Ephedra nevadensis ) typically contains little to no ephedrine , it provided a mild, uplifting boost without the intense, dangerous stimulation of the Chinese variety. It was even rumored to be served in frontier brothels as a "cure-all". Ephedra: The Plant that Inspired Meth
: Mormon pioneers, following the "Word of Wisdom" (a religious health code), were prohibited from drinking "hot drinks," which at the time meant coffee and caffeinated tea. buy ephedra sinica tea
One of the most fascinating stories about this plant comes from the 19th-century American West. : Because the American species (like Ephedra nevadensis
: Settling in the arid West, they discovered a native relative of the Chinese Ephedra sinica growing wild. They began brewing its stems into a hot beverage that became known as Mormon Tea or Brigham Tea . One of the most fascinating stories about this
However, there is an interesting "workaround" and a historical story involving early American pioneers that often leads people to a legal alternative. The Interesting Story of "Mormon Tea"
In the United States, purchasing tea (also known as Ma Huang ) is restricted. While the whole plant and traditional tea preparations are technically legal for certain uses, the FDA banned the sale of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids in 2004 due to serious heart and stroke risks.