Botanical atlas

Mormon Tea

Ephedra nevadensis

Long before espresso and black tea reached the desert Southwest, travelers and Native peoples of the Great Basin were snapping the jointed green stems of this scrubby little shrub and simmering them into a warm, reddish brew. Paiute, Shoshone, and Navajo communities brewed the stems as a restorative drink and used it in traditional preparations to ease colds and settle the stomach after a long day. Mormon settlers crossing the desert adopted the same plant as a caffeine-free stand-in for coffee and black tea, which is how it earned the name that sticks to this day. It remains one of the most recognizable plants of the desert wash, easy to spot by its broom-like, almost leafless silhouette.

In tradition.

Long before espresso and black tea reached the desert Southwest, travelers and Native peoples of the Great Basin were snapping the jointed green stems of this scrubby little shrub and simmering them into a warm, reddish brew. Paiute, Shoshone, and Navajo communities brewed the stems as a restorative drink and used it in traditional preparations to ease colds and settle the stomach after a long day. Mormon settlers crossing the desert adopted the same plant as a caffeine-free stand-in for coffee and black tea, which is how it earned the name that sticks to this day. It remains one of the most recognizable plants of the desert wash, easy to spot by its broom-like, almost leafless silhouette.

Safety.

Mormon tea belongs to the same genus as Ephedra sinica (Ma huang), the source of the stimulant ephedrine, but the American desert species, including Ephedra nevadensis, contain little to no ephedrine-type alkaloids and have a very different traditional use as a mild, everyday beverage rather than a stimulant medicine. Even so, it should not be confused with Asian ephedra products, and it is not appropriate for anyone who is pregnant or breastfeeding, has heart disease or high blood pressure, or takes MAOI or stimulant medications, since correct species identification matters and alkaloid content can vary by plant and region. It is best enjoyed occasionally rather than as a daily habit. As always, speak with a qualified healthcare provider before using it medicinally, especially if you take other medications or manage a chronic health condition.