Localitywise survey of Ephedra nebrodensis Vars., procera in Baluchistan to judge the higher ephedrine yielding plants for exploitation

Intro: Ephedra nebrodensis var. procera F.M. is the main source of income of the Forest Department of Baluchistan. The plant is being used in medicine from very ancient times and its curing properties are because of the presence of an alkaloid ephedrine (C₁₀ H₁₅ N₀). Ephedra plants are a good remedy for curing bronchial asthma, cold, cough, urticaria, renal colic, itching, typhoid, hey fever and body pains. It can also be used as a tanning material for curing goats and lamb skins. This natural resource is exploited on large scale to the tune of 2.2 million kg. per annum for the manufacture of ephedrine which is exported to different countries of the world and is also used in the medicines prepared by the pharmaceutical concerns of Pakistan.