Research progress of Ephedra in kidney disease

Ephedra is first recorded in Shennong's Herbal Classic, which described that Ephedra has tastes of pungent and bitter and a texture of warm nature, and can be attributed to bladder and lung meridians. Ephedra has the functions of relieving exterior syndrome by diaphoresis, freeing dispersing lung and relieving asthma and inducing diuresis for removing edema. Modern medical research reveals that Ephedra has a wide range of pharmacological effects, such as diuresis, diaphoresis, immunosuppression, anticoagulation and so on. This study is aimed to summarize the application of Ephedra in kidney disease in aspects of its medicinal value, pharmacological effect, therapeutic effect, and existing problems by analysis of records about Ephedra for kidney disease in the ancient literatures of traditional Chinese medicine and results of modern medical researches.