Brigham Tea (Ephedra viridis)

Brigham Tea (Ephedra viridis) is an evergreen desert shrub in the Ephedraceae family native to Western North America. It is a leaf-reduced desert shrub with green jointed stems and a broomlike branching habit. The stems and aerial parts are the parts most often used in traditional preparations.

Brigham tea has a long history as a western desert beverage herb. The stems were traditionally simmered or steeped to make a tea, and the plant became known in household use as a dryland substitute drink and regional medicinal herb.

This plant is an Ephedra species, so it should not be confused with ordinary mint-family tea herbs or with unrelated plants that share similar beverage uses.

Botanical Overview

Botanical name: Ephedra viridis
Family: Ephedraceae
Plant type: Evergreen desert shrub
Native region: Western North America
Common names: Mormon tea, green ephedra, Indian tea, jointfir

Benefits and Traditional Uses

Brigham Tea has traditionally been used to support:

Traditional desert tea
Historic western household herb use
Regional warming beverage preparations
Simple simmered stem decoctions
Dryland survival and camp tea traditions

Historically, Brigham tea was used by Indigenous peoples and later settlers of the American West as a brewed beverage herb. Its green stems made it one of the best-known desert tea plants in regional household tradition.

“Brigham tea became a familiar desert brew, gathered from green jointed stems where few other tea plants would grow.”

— Traditional American West reference

Preparation Methods

Brigham Tea can be prepared in several traditional ways:

Tea

The green stems are commonly steeped or gently simmered to make a traditional desert tea.

Part of the plant used: Stems

Decoction

A slightly longer simmer may be used when preparing a stronger traditional household brew.

Part of the plant used: Stems

Dried Herb

The aerial parts may be dried and stored for later beverage use.

Part of the plant used: Stems and aerial parts

Growing Brigham Tea

Brigham tea is a dry-climate shrub adapted to desert and scrub environments with intense sun and very lean soils. It is a specialty native plant rather than a conventional moist-soil herb garden plant.

Prefers full sun
Grows best in very well-drained sandy or gravelly soil
Needs low water once established
Suitable for USDA zones 6–10 in dry western parts of the United States
Best suited to xeriscapes, desert gardens, and native dryland plantings

Brigham tea dislikes humid, poorly drained conditions. In wetter climates it is often difficult to maintain without carefully controlled drainage and exposure.

Safety Considerations

Brigham tea has a long history of traditional use, however Ephedra species deserve particular caution.

However:

Ephedra species may contain stimulating constituents and should not be treated as ordinary casual tea herbs.
Products made from Ephedra may interact with medications affecting the heart, blood pressure, or the nervous system.
Individuals with cardiovascular concerns should use special caution and avoid unsupervised medicinal use.
Large or concentrated preparations are not appropriate for casual household experimentation.
Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should avoid use unless guided by a qualified healthcare professional.
Always consult a qualified professional before using herbs for health purposes.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Image Disclaimer: Images are for reference only and should not be used as the sole method of identification. Always confirm identification with a qualified source.

Brigham Tea (Ephedra viridis) is an evergreen desert shrub in the Ephedraceae family native to Western North America. It is a leaf-reduced desert shrub with green jointed stems and a broomlike branching habit. The stems and aerial parts are the parts most often used in traditional preparations.

Brigham tea has a long history as a western desert beverage herb. The stems were traditionally simmered or steeped to make a tea, and the plant became known in household use as a dryland substitute drink and regional medicinal herb.

This plant is an Ephedra species, so it should not be confused with ordinary mint-family tea herbs or with unrelated plants that share similar beverage uses.

Benefits and Traditional Uses

Brigham Tea has traditionally been used to support:

Traditional desert tea
Historic western household herb use
Regional warming beverage preparations
Simple simmered stem decoctions
Dryland survival and camp tea traditions

Historically, Brigham tea was used by Indigenous peoples and later settlers of the American West as a brewed beverage herb. Its green stems made it one of the best-known desert tea plants in regional household tradition.

“Brigham tea became a familiar desert brew, gathered from green jointed stems where few other tea plants would grow.”

— Traditional American West reference

Preparation Methods

Brigham Tea can be prepared in several traditional ways:

Tea

The green stems are commonly steeped or gently simmered to make a traditional desert tea.

Part of the plant used: Stems

Decoction

A slightly longer simmer may be used when preparing a stronger traditional household brew.

Part of the plant used: Stems

Dried Herb

The aerial parts may be dried and stored for later beverage use.

Part of the plant used: Stems and aerial parts

Growing Brigham Tea

Brigham tea is a dry-climate shrub adapted to desert and scrub environments with intense sun and very lean soils. It is a specialty native plant rather than a conventional moist-soil herb garden plant.

Prefers full sun
Grows best in very well-drained sandy or gravelly soil
Needs low water once established
Suitable for USDA zones 6–10 in dry western parts of the United States
Best suited to xeriscapes, desert gardens, and native dryland plantings

Brigham tea dislikes humid, poorly drained conditions. In wetter climates it is often difficult to maintain without carefully controlled drainage and exposure.

Safety Considerations

Brigham tea has a long history of traditional use, however Ephedra species deserve particular caution.

However:

Ephedra species may contain stimulating constituents and should not be treated as ordinary casual tea herbs.
Products made from Ephedra may interact with medications affecting the heart, blood pressure, or the nervous system.
Individuals with cardiovascular concerns should use special caution and avoid unsupervised medicinal use.
Large or concentrated preparations are not appropriate for casual household experimentation.
Pregnant or breastfeeding individuals should avoid use unless guided by a qualified healthcare professional.
Always consult a qualified professional before using herbs for health purposes.

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.

Image Disclaimer: Images are for reference only and should not be used as the sole method of identification. Always confirm identification with a qualified source.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Brigham tea traditionally used for?

Brigham tea is traditionally used as a brewed desert beverage herb made from the green stems of an Ephedra plant.

What part of Brigham tea is used?

The stems and aerial parts are used. They are dried or fresh and brewed into a traditional tea.

Is Brigham tea the same as Mormon tea?

Yes. Brigham tea is one of the common names used for Mormon tea, a beverage herb from Ephedra species.

Can Brigham tea grow in the United States?

Yes. It is native to the dry western United States and grows best in sunny desert or xeric conditions.

Is Brigham tea safe for everyone?

No. Because it comes from an Ephedra species, it should be approached cautiously and not treated like an ordinary gentle tea herb.

Are there safety concerns with Brigham tea?

Yes. Ephedra-related herbs may interact with cardiovascular or stimulant-sensitive conditions and should not be used casually in concentrated form.

Botanical Overview

Botanical name: Ephedra viridis
Family: Ephedraceae
Plant type: Evergreen desert shrub
Native region: Western North America
Common names: Mormon tea, green ephedra, Indian tea, jointfir

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The information on this website is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using herbs, supplements, or natural products.