PDR for Herbal Medicines

488/LYCIUM BERRIES (GO-QI-ZI) PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINES

Lu CX, Cheng BQ, Radiosensitizing effects of Lycium

barbarum polysaccharide for Lewis lung cancer, Chung Hsi I

Chieh Ho Tsa Chih, 11:611-2, 582, 1991 Oct.

Ren B, Ma Y, Shen Y, Gao B, Protective action of Lycium

barbarum L. (LbL) and betaine on lipid peroxidation of

erythrocyte membrane induced by H2O2, Chung Kuo Chung

Yao~Tsa Chihf 20:303-4, inside cover, 1995 May.

Lycium chinense

See Lycium Bark (Di-Gu-Pi)

Lycoperdon species

See Puff Ball

Lycopersicon esculentum

See Tomato

Lycopodium clavatum

See Club Moss

Lycopus yirginieus

See Bugleweed ~

Lysimachia nummularia

See Moneywort

Lysimachia vulgaris

See Loosestrife

Lythrum salicaria

See Purple Loosestrife

Ma-Huang

Ephedra sinica

DESCRIPTION

Medicinal Parts: The medicinal parts are the young canes

collected in autumn and the dried rhizome with roots.

Flower and Fruit: The flowers are small and occasionally

reduced to acuminate scales. They are fused in pairs at the

base. They are unisexual, usually dioecious and sometimes

monoecious. The male inflorescences consist of 2 to 24

blooms. The involucre is 2-lobed and fused to a tube. The

fruit is a red, berry-like false fruit formed from the upper

bract. '

Leaves, Stem and Root: The plant is a 30 cm tall lightly

branched subshrub with lengthened, cylindrical branches that

are 1 to 2 mm in diameter. It is similar in appearance to

Horsetail, and is sometimes twining and often has under-

ground runners. The stem and branches are round with

numerous vertical grooves of gray-green or bright green

coloring. Very small leaves are occasionally reduced to

pointed scales and are almost always fused at the base to

form a sheath. They are reddish brown.

Habitat: Ephedra sinica grows mainly in Mongolia and the

bordering area of China, Ephedra gerardiana is from India.

Production: Ma-Huang consists of the dried, young branch-

lets, harvested in the fall, of Ephedra sinica, Ephedra

shennungiana, or other equivalent Ephedra species. It is

mostly cultivated. The plant is harvested as late as possible

after the last rain, but before the winter frost and is air-dried

in the sun.

Not to be Confused' With: Many similar species

Other Names: Desert Herb, Ephedrine

ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY

COMPOUNDS

Alkaloids of the 2-aminophenylpropane type: main alkaloids

L-(-)-ephedrine (lR,2S-(-)- ephedrine) and D-pseudoephed-

rine (lS,2S-(+)- ephedrine); lesser alkaloids L-norephedrine,

D-norpseudoephedrine.

EFFECTS

The level of the active principles can fluctuate drastically.

Ephedrine acts by indirectly stimulating the sympathomimet-

ic and central nervous system. The herb is bacteriostatic,

positively inotropic and positively chronotropic. In animal

tests ephedrine acts as an antitussive.

INDICATIONS AND USAGE

Approved by Commission E:

• Cough/bronchitis