Family Ephedraceae is a group of evergreen shrubs found in arid regions of the world. The plants are known for their medicinal and stimulatory properties and have been used for centuries in traditional medicine. There are several synonyms for the word "Family Ephedraceae" including Ephedra, Mormon tea, and Joint fir. Ephedra is the most common name and is derived from the Greek word "ephedra" which means "to rise up". Mormon tea is another common name as the early settlers of Utah used the plant to brew tea as a substitute for regular tea. Joint fir is a reference to the jointed stems of the plant. Regardless of the name, the Ephedraceae family remains an important source of traditional medicine and provides a valuable ecological role in arid regions.