Thuja occidentalis

Related Terms

Abendl?ndischer Lebensbaum (German), almindelig tuja (Danish), alpha-pinen, alpha-terpine, American arbor vitae, American White Cedar, Amerikanischer Lebensbaum (German), ameriski klek (Slovenian), Arbor Vitae, arborvitae, Austamerikansk tuja (Norwegian), benzylbutyrolactol, borneol, camphen, camphene, carvotanacetone, catechine, cedar of Lebanon, cedars of Lebanon, cedarwood, cedarwood oil, c?dre blanc (French), Cedrus, Coniferales, Cupressaceae (family), cypress, Eastern Arborvitae, Eastern white cedar, essential oils, evergreen, False White Cedar, fenchone, gallocatechine, glycoproteins, Hackmatack, harilik elupuu (Estonian), isothujone, Juniper, kaempferol, kaempherol, kaempherol-3-O-alpha-rhamnoside, kanadalainen el?m?npuu (Finnish), Kanadal?fvi?ur (Icelandic), kanadantuija (Finnish), Lebensbaum (German), lignan, lignans ((-)-wikstromal (-)-matairesinol and benzylbutyrolactol)), limonene, livstr?d (Swedish), matairesinol, mearnsitrin, Meijer medicated chest rub, myrcen, myricene, myricetine, myricitrin, northern white-cedar, nyugati tuja (Hungarian), oil of cedar leaf, oksident tuja (Norwegian), origanes, origanol, ?stamerikansk tuja (Norwegian), p-coumaric acid, Pinaceae (family), Pinales, plicatic acid, polysaccharides, procyanidin B-3, prodelphinidin, quercetin, quercitrin, red cedar, sabines, swamp cedar, tannic acid, terpinolen, Thuj, Thuja, Thuja occidentalis L., thujone, thujone white cedar, thuya am?ricain (French), thuya d'occident (French), thuya du Canada (French), thuya occidental (French), tree of life, tuia (Portuguese - Brazil), tuia occidentale (Italian), tuja (Norwegian, Swedish), tuya (Spanish), umbelliferone, vanlig tuja (Norwegian, Swedish), white cedar, wikstromal, yellow cedar, zerav z?padn? (Czech), zywotnik zachodni (Polish).
Combination products: Esberitox? or SB-TOX, (containing a dry extract 4-9:1 blend of Baptisia tinctoria (wild indigo) root, Echinacea purpurea and pallida (coneflower) root, and Thuja occidentalis (white cedar) leaf).

Background

Cedar leaf oil comes from the Thuja occidentalis tree. It has been used historically by different cultures to treat many conditions, including breathing disorders, cancers, headaches, heart ailments, infections, inflammatory disorders, menstrual problems, and urinary disorders. Furthermore, Thuja has been used to induce abortions.
Thuja is closely related to other cedar genera also used as dietary supplements, including as Cedrus (common name: cedar) and Juniperus (common name: juniper).
Very little scientific evidence exists regarding Thuja. Clinical trials evaluating Thuja alone are lacking, and the available data are questionable.
Preclinical studies have demonstrated anticancer and immune-stimulating properties, but further research is necessary. Thuja is often used in homeopathy as a remedy for skin, urinary, and reproductive organ complaints. The herb is also used in combination with Echinacea purpurea, Echinacea pallida, and Baptisia tinctoria to relieve symptoms of common cold and upper respiratory tract infections and as supportive therapy to standard antibiotics.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


There is limited evidence that Esberitox?, a combination of Baptisia tinctoria root, Echinacea purpurea and pallida root, and Thuja occidentalis, may reduce symptoms of common colds and upper respiratory tract infections. However, the effect of Thuja alone is unclear. Further research is needed before a firm conclusion can be made.

 C


There is limited evidence that Esberitox?, a combination of Baptisia tinctoria root, Echinacea purpurea and pallida root, and Thuja occidentalis, may reduce symptoms of common colds and upper respiratory tract infections. However, the effect of Thuja alone is unclear. Further research is needed before a firm conclusion can be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
To decrease the symptoms of colds and upper respiratory tract infections, 1-3 tablets of Esberitox?, which contains Baptisia tinctoria (wild indigo) root, Echinacea purpurea and pallida (coneflower) root, and Thuja occidentalis (white cedar) leaf, have been given by mouth three times daily for 3-12 days.
To treat infected or swollen eyes, 1-30 drops of full-strength or diluted Thuja have been applied to the surface of the eye.
To treat fluid-filled sacks in the scrotum, 1/8 ounce of Thuja has been mixed with one ounce of warm water and injected into the tunica vaganalis (covering of the testis).
There is a lack of scientific data available to accurately determine what dose of Thuja is toxic.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Thuja may interact with agents that affect the immune system, agents that affect the liver, antibiotics, anticancer agents, and antiviral agents.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Cartier A, Chan H, Malo JL, Pineau L, Tse KS, and Chan-Yeung M. Occupational asthma caused by eastern white cedar (Thuja occidentalis) with demonstration that plicatic acid is present in this wood dust and is the causal agent. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1986;77(4):639-645.
Deane PM. Conifer pollen sensitivity in western New York: cedar pollens. Allergy Asthma Proc 2005;26(5):352-355.
Elsasser-Beile U, Willenbacher W, Bartsch HH, Gallati H, Schulte Monting J, and von Kleist S. Cytokine production in leukocyte cultures during therapy with Echinacea extract. J Clin Lab Anal. 1996;10(6):441-445.
Gohla SH, Haubeck HD, Schrum S, Soltau H, and Neth RD. Activation of CD4-positive T cells by polysaccharide fractions isolated from the Cupressaceae Thuja occidentalis L. (Arborvitae). Haematol.Blood Transfus. 1989;32:268-272.
Hauke W, Kohler G, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH, and Freudenstein J. Esberitox N as supportive therapy when providing standard antibiotic treatment in subjects with a severe bacterial infection (acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis). A multicentric, prospective, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Chemotherapy 2002;48(5):259-266.
Henneicke-von Zepelin H, Hentschel C, Schnitker J, Kohnen R, Kohler G, and Wustenberg P. Efficacy and safety of a fixed combination phytomedicine in the treatment of the common cold (acute viral respiratory tract infection): results of a randomised, double blind, placebo controlled, multicentre study. Curr Med Res Opin. 1999;15(3):214-227.
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Millet Y, Jouglard J, Steinmetz MD, Tognetti P, Joanny P, and Arditti J. Toxicity of some essential plant oils. Clinical and experimental study. Clin Toxicol. 1981;18(12):1485-1498.
Naser B, Bodinet C, Tegtmeier M, and Lindequist U. Thuja occidentalis (Arbor vitae): A Review of its Pharmaceutical, Pharmacological and Clinical Properties. Evid.Based Complement Alternat.Med 2005;2(1):69-78.
Naser B, Lund B, Henneicke-von Zepelin HH, Kohler G, Lehmacher W, and Scaglione F. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical dose-response trial of an extract of Baptisia, Echinacea and Thuja for the treatment of patients with common cold. Phytomedicine. 2005;12(10):715-722.
Offergeld R, Reinecker C, Gumz E, Schrum S, Treiber R, Neth RD, and Gohla SH. Mitogenic activity of high molecular polysaccharide fractions isolated from the cuppressaceae Thuja occidentalis L. enhanced cytokine-production by thyapolysaccharide, g-fraction (TPSg). Leukemia 1992;6 Suppl 3:189S-191S.
Ramsewak RS, Nair MG, Stommel M, and Selanders L. In vitro antagonistic activity of monoterpenes and their mixtures against 'toe nail fungus' pathogens. Phytother.Res 2003;17(4):376-379.
Singh SK, Shanmugavel M, Kampasi H, Singh R, Mondhe DM, Rao JM, Adwankar MK, Saxena AK, and Qazi GN. Chemically standardized isolates from Cedrus deodara stem wood having anticancer activity. Planta Med 2007;73(6):519-526.
Sunila ES, Kuttan G. A preliminary study on antimetastatic activity of Thuja occidentalis L. in mice model. Immunopharmacol.Immunotoxicol. 2006;28(2):269-280.
Thangapazham RL, Gaddipati JP, Rajeshkumar NV, Sharma A, Singh AK, Ives JA, Maheshwari RK, and Jonas WB. Homeopathic medicines do not alter growth and gene expression in prostate and breast cancer cells in vitro. Integr.Cancer Ther 2006;5(4):356-361.