THUJA Overview Information
Thuja is a tree. The leaves and leaf oil are used as a medicine.
Thuja is used for respiratory tract infections such as bronchitis, bacterial skin infections, and cold sores. It is also used for painful conditions including osteoarthritis and a nerve disorder that affects the face called trigeminal neuralgia.
Some people use thuja to loosen phlegm (as an expectorant), to boost the immune system (as an immunostimulant), and to increase urine flow (as a diuretic). It has also been used to cause abortions.
Thuja is sometimes applied directly to the skin for joint pain, ostearthritis, and muscle pain. Thuja oil is also used for skin diseases, warts, and cancer; and as an insect repellent.
In foods and beverages, thuja is used as a flavoring agent.
In manufacturing, thuja is used as a fragrance in cosmetics and soaps.
How does it work?
Thuja contains chemicals that might fight viruses. It also contains a chemical called thujone that can cause brain problems.
THUJA Uses & Effectiveness 
Insufficient Evidence for:
- Stimulating immune function.
- Bronchitis.
- Pneumonia.
- Skin infections.
- Cold sores.
- Nerve pain.
- Strep throat.
- Abortions.
- Arthritis.
- Joint pain.
- Muscle aches.
- Skin diseases.
- Cancer.
- Warts.
- Use as an insect repellent.
- Other conditions.
THUJA Side Effects & Safety
Thuja seems to be safe in food amounts, but there isn't enough information to know if it is safe when used in usual medicinal amounts. An overdose of thuja can cause queasiness, vomiting, painful diarrhea, asthma, seizures, and death.
Thuja products can contain a chemical called thujone. Thujone can cause low blood pressure, asthma, seizures, and death.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It’s UNSAFE to use thuja if you are pregnant. Thuja might cause a miscarriage.It is also UNSAFE to use thuja if you are breast-feeding because of possible toxicity. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
“Auto-immune diseases” such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Thuja might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it’s best to avoid using thuja.
Seizures: Taking thuja might cause seizures in some people. Don’t take thuja if you have a history of having seizures.
THUJA Interactions
Major Interaction Do not take this combination
- Medications that increase the chance of having a seizure (Seizure threshold lowering drugs) interacts with THUJA
Some medications increase the chance of having a seizure. Taking thuja might cause seizures in some people. Taking medications that increase the chance of having a seizure along with thuja might increase the risk of having a seizure. Do not take thuja with medication that increases the chance of having a seizure.
Some medications that increase the chance of having a seizure include anesthesia (propofol, others), antiarrhythmics (mexiletine), antibiotics (amphotericin, penicillin, cephalosporins, imipenem), antidepressants (bupropion, others), antihistamines (cyproheptadine, others), immunosuppressants (cyclosporine), narcotics (fentanyl, others), stimulants (methylphenidate), theophylline, and others. - Medications used to prevent seizures (Anticonvulsants) interacts with THUJA
Medications used to prevent seizures affect chemicals in the brain. Thuja may also affect chemicals in the brain. By affecting chemicals in the brain, thuja may decrease the effectiveness of medications used to prevent seizures.
Some medications used to prevent seizures include phenobarbital, primidone (Mysoline), valproic acid (Depakene), gabapentin (Neurontin), carbamazepine (Tegretol), phenytoin (Dilantin), and others.
THUJA Dosing
The appropriate dose of thuja depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for thuja. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.
