: Because the American species (like Ephedra nevadensis ) typically contains little to no ephedrine , it provided a mild, uplifting boost without the intense, dangerous stimulation of the Chinese variety. It was even rumored to be served in frontier brothels as a "cure-all". Ephedra: The Plant that Inspired Meth

: Settling in the arid West, they discovered a native relative of the Chinese Ephedra sinica growing wild. They began brewing its stems into a hot beverage that became known as Mormon Tea or Brigham Tea .

One of the most fascinating stories about this plant comes from the 19th-century American West.

However, there is an interesting "workaround" and a historical story involving early American pioneers that often leads people to a legal alternative. The Interesting Story of "Mormon Tea"