Thuja
Botanical Description & Habitat
Thuja occidentalis
Family
Coniferae
Common names
Arbovitae
Tree of life
White cedar
Yellow cedar
Habitat
Found in eastern and central North America. It flourishes in swampy areas and along stream banks.
Description
An evergreen tree which reaches 50 feet in height, with a light brown outer bark separated into long, narrow strips. The branches are short; the lower ones are horizontal and the upper ones densely packed, forming a conical head. The leaves are opposite, bright green, and resemble overlapping scales. he flowers are yellow or green in hue, and bloom from April to July. The cone is small, pale green when young, later turning a light red-brown with 6 to 12 pointless, thin, oblong scales.
Medicinal parts
Leafy young twigs, recently dried
bark, dried
Historical Properties & Uses
Due to the danger of poisoning, thuja is rarely used internally in modern herbal medicine. It is a diaphoretic, but not one of the most effective. Occasionally, it is used as an emmenagogue to promote menstruation, and as a treatment for rheumatism.
Externally, thuja is applied as a salve to treat rheumatism and to remedy sores, wounds, rashes, and warts. Europeans commonly use the herb to stimulate the immune system. In homeopathy, it is sometimes employed against multiple sclerosis.
Method of Action
Thuja has Antibiotic Properties
As with almost all plants having a high concentration of aromatic oils, thuja has been found to have good antibacterial properties against both gram negative and gram positive bacteria.
Thuja Has Cytostatic Properties
Thuja has been shown to inhibit condyloma and exhibit good general cytostatic properties.
Drug Interactions & Precautions
Known Interactions
Since thuja's diuretic action increases the renal excretion of sodium and chloride, may potentiate the hyperglycemic and hyperuricemic effects of glucose-elevating agents.
Diuretics in general may potentiate the action of antihypertensive, ganglionic or peripheral adrenergic blocking drugs, tubocurarine and, to a lesser degree, norepinephrine.
Possible Interactions
The diuretic action of thuja may reduce renal clearance of lithium. It should also be noted the use of diuretics in general may require dosage adjustments of antidiabetic drugs.
Comments
The cardiac alkaloids in thuja may antagonize the action of heparin.
Angina pectoris drugs, such as nadolol and propranolol HCl, may reduce AV conduction induced by thuja.
Prolonged use of this diuretic may affect certain laboratory test results such as electrolytes, especially potassium and sodium, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), uric acid, glucose, and protein bound iodine (PBI).
Safety Factors & Toxicity
The volatile oil of thuja is, of course, toxic due to content of thujone. Overdose can produce severe hypotension, convulsions and eventually death. External application is not dangerous.
Preparation & Administration
Three times a day
Do not use during pregnancy
Dried herb
1-24 grams
Tea
made from 1/2 tsp of dried herb
Fluid extract
1:1 in 50% alcohol, 1-3 ml
Tincture
1:10 in 60% alcohol, 2-4 ml
Oil
external use only
Note: This Herbal Preparation information is a summary of data from books and articles by various authors. It is not intended to replace the advice or attention of health care professionals.
References
Am Hospital Formulary Service. Am Soc of Hosp Pharm. Wash, D.C.
Bressler, R., M.D. Bogdonoff & G.J. Subak-Sharpe. 1981. The Physicians Drug Manual. Doubleday & Co, Inc. Garden City, NY. 1213 pp.
Chambers, G., R.J. Kerry & G. Owen. 1977. Lithium used with a diuretic. British Medical Journal, 2. pp. 805-806.
Chiles, V.K. 1968. Drug interactions and the pharmacist. Canadian Pharaceutical Journal. 101(7). pp. 241-247.
Committee on Pharmocopaeia of the Am Institute of Homeopathy, The Homeopathic Pharmacopaeia of the United States. 8th ed., Vol 1. Otis Clapp and Son, Agents, Boston, l981.
D'Amico, M.L. Richere sulla presenza di sostanze ad azione antibiotica nelle piante superiori. Fitoterapia, 26(1), 77-79, 1950.
De Martinis, M., et.al. Milk thistle (silybum marianum) derivatives in the therapy of chronic hepatopathies. Clin. Ter., 94(3). pp. 283-315. 1980.
Drug package insert (FDA approved official brochure) and other labeling based on sponsored clinical investigations and New Drug Application data.
Goldner, M.G., H. Zarowitz & S. Akgun. 1960. Hyperglycemia and glycosuria due to thiazide derivatives administered in diabetes mellitus. New England J of Med, 262(Feb 2). pp. 403-405.
Goodman, L.S. & A. Gilman. 1975. Pharm Basis of Thera. MacMillan, NY.
Hansten, P.D. 1979. Drug Interactions, 4th ed. Lea & Febiger, Phila.
Hurtig, H.I. & W.L. Dyson. 1974. Lithium toxicity enhanced by diuresis. New England J of Med, 290(Mar 28). pp. 748-749.
Hyde, F.F. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. British Herbal Medicine Assoc: West Yorks, England, 1983
Kastrup, E.K., ed. 1981. Drug Facts and Comparisons, 1982 edition. Facts and Comparisions Division, J.P. Lippincott Co, Phila(St. Louis).
Levine, W.G. 1970. Heparin and oral anticoagulants. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 4th ed. L.S. Goodman & A. Gillman, eds. MacMillan. New York.
List, P. & L. Hoerhammer. 1969-1976. Hagers Hanbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, vols. 2-5. Springer-Verlag, Berlin.
Lutz, E.G. 1975. Lithium toxicity precipitated by diuretics. J of Med Soc of N J, 72(5). pp. 439-440.
Martin, E.W. 1978. Drug Interactions Index, 1978/79. J.B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia.
Miller, R.D., et.al. 1976. Enhancement of d-tubocurarine neuromuscular blockage by diuretics in man. Anesth, 45. p.442.
Miller, L. & R. Lindeman. Red Blood Cell and Serum Selenium Concentration as Influenced by Age and Selected Diseases. Journal Of Am College Nutrition. 2. 1983.
Mowrey, Daniel B., Ph.D. Exper. Psych., Brigham Young University. Director of Nebo Institute of Herbal Sciences. Director of Behavior Change Agent Training Institute. Director of Research, Nova Corp.
Scientific Committee, British Herbal Pharmocopaeia, British Herbal Med Assoc, Lane House, Cowling, Na Keighley, West Yorks, Bd Bd220lx, l983.
Tuttle, C. 1969. Drug interactions. Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy. 22(5-6). pp. 2-15.
Van Os, F.H.L. Pharmacology, 14, Suppl. 1, 73, 1976.
Wagner, H. Immunprophylaxe und-therapie durch pflanzenpraeparate. Zeitschrift Fur Allgemeinmedizin, 24, 1282-1289, 1983.
Essential Oil
See Thuja Essence under Aromatherapy
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