The effect of cultivation of Chinese ephedra (Ephedra intermedia) on the desert soil in the Hexi Corridor Region is significant in soil building. After planting the crop for 3 years, the yield of the 3 year-old crop reached 12.17 t/hm² in fresh weight and 4.87 t/hm² in dry weight. Compared with CK, the soil at 0~20 cm increased its natural moisture content by 64.29 g/kg, water-stable granular structure (> 0.25mm) by 14.31 %, total porosity by 11.32 %, and decreased its soil bulk density by 0.30 g/cm³, pH from 8.32 to 7.99, and total salt by 1.72 g/kg or by 49.85 %. Along with the change in its physical properties, its contents of soil organic matter, readily available N, readily available P, and readily available K increased, too.