Mormon Tea: What It Is and How to Use It Safely
Mormon tea is a simple herbal drink made from stems of desert Ephedra plants (often Ephedra nevadensis or Ephedra viridis). People have used it for centuries to ease mild cold symptoms, boost alertness, or as a warming, caffeine-free beverage. It’s not the same as concentrated ephedra supplements that were banned for safety reasons; the traditional tea usually contains much lower levels of active alkaloids. Still, you should treat it like any medicinal herb—use it carefully.
Benefits and evidence
Traditional uses include easing mild congestion, acting as a gentle stimulant, and helping with tiredness. Modern research on Mormon tea itself is limited. The plant family contains compounds that can affect the heart and nervous system, so effects vary by species and dose. If you’re looking for evidence-based alternatives for anxiety or performance (for example, natural options people compare to propranolol), check our guides on herbal alternatives and supplements to see safer, better-studied choices.
People often feel clearer-headed or notice less sinus congestion after a cup. That can come from mild stimulant action and from warm fluid easing mucus. But expect modest effects—Mormon tea is not a medicine for serious conditions.
How to brew and how much is safe
Use clean dried stems or fresh stems if you can identify the plant. Break stems into small pieces. For one cup: pour 8–10 oz hot (not boiling) water over 1–2 teaspoons of broken stems and steep 5–10 minutes. Taste it first; some stems are stronger than others. Start with one cup daily and see how you feel. Don’t exceed 2 cups a day without talking to a healthcare pro.
Do not mix Mormon tea with other stimulants (strong coffee, amphetamines, ephedrine-containing supplements). If you take blood pressure meds, heart meds, diabetes drugs, or seizure medicines, check with your doctor before trying it. The plant family can affect blood pressure, heart rate, or interact with prescription drugs.
Avoid use in pregnancy, breastfeeding, and in children. If you have heart disease, uncontrolled high blood pressure, anxiety disorders, or a history of arrhythmia, skip it unless cleared by a clinician. Side effects can include jitteriness, palpitations, headache, or trouble sleeping.
Buy dried stems from reputable herb suppliers or gather only if you can correctly identify the species. Look for suppliers who list botanical names (Ephedra nevadensis, Ephedra viridis) and avoid products that claim high stimulant effects. Labels that promise weight loss or high-energy boosts are red flags—those often hide concentrated alkaloids that carry risk.
Want more herbal options? Read our articles on herbal supplements for erectile dysfunction, natural alternatives to propranolol, or safe antihistamine substitutes to see how Mormon tea compares to other plant-based choices. And if you plan to use any herb alongside prescription drugs, have a quick chat with your pharmacist or doctor first—questions like "Will this raise my blood pressure?" or "Could this change my medication levels?" are worth asking.
