--- title: "Brigham Tea" id: "1737" type: "herb" slug: "brigham-tea" published_at: "2026-03-28T23:46:02+00:00" modified_at: "2026-04-20T04:17:12+00:00" url: "https://flowersandherbs.com/plants/brigham-tea/" markdown_url: "https://flowersandherbs.com/plants/brigham-tea.md" excerpt: "Brigham tea is a desert shrub traditionally brewed as a regional tea from its green jointed stems. Also known as Mormon tea, it has a long history in western North American household use. It is an Ephedra plant and deserves..." taxonomy_herb_type: - "Shrub" --- # Brigham Tea Uses & Safety (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. ### Brigham Tea 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 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:** Shrubby herb - **Native region:** Western North America - **Common names:** Mormon tea, green ephedra, Indian tea, jointfir **Plants often mentioned with Brigham Tea** **Brigham Tea** is often discussed alongside [Desert Sage](/plants/desert-sage) , [Chaparral](/plants/chaparral) , and [Yarrow](/plants/yarrow) in traditional herbal writing. These herbs are often linked through western dryland plant traditions, where hardy aromatic species were gathered for teas, washes, and regional household use.