THUJA: Overview, Uses, Side Effects, Precautions, Interactions, Dosing and Reviews

Overview

Thuja is a tree. The leaves and leaf oil have been traditionally used as medicine. Thuja is used as a flavoring agent in foods and beverages and as a fragrance in the manufacturing of cosmetics and soaps.

People use thuja for various conditions, including respiratory tract infections, cold sores (herpes labialis), osteoarthritis, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.

How does it work ?

Thuja contains chemicals that might affect the immune system. It also contains a chemical called thujone that can cause brain problems.

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Be cautious with 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.
Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with THUJA
Thuja can increase the activity of the immune system. Taking thuja along with some medications that decrease the immune system might decrease these medications' effectiveness.

Some medications that decrease the immune system include azathioprine (Imuran), basiliximab (Simulect), cyclosporine (Neoral, Sandimmune), daclizumab (Zenapax), muromonab-CD3 (OKT3, Orthoclone OKT3), mycophenolate (CellCept), tacrolimus (FK506, Prograf), sirolimus (Rapamune), prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone), and other corticosteroids (glucocorticoids).

View References

REFERENCES:

Elsasser-Beile, U., Willenbacher, W., Bartsch, H. H., 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. View abstract.

Gohla, S. H., Haubeck, H. D., Schrum, S., Soltau, H., and Neth, R. D. Activation of CD4-positive T cells by polysaccharide fractions isolated from the Cupressaceae Thuja occidentalis L. (Arborvitae). Haematol.Blood Transfus. 1989;32:268-272. View abstract.

Hauke, W., Kohler, G., Henneicke-von Zepelin, H. H., 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. View abstract.

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. View abstract.

Naser, B., Lund, B., Henneicke-von Zepelin, H. H., 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. View abstract.

Singh, S. K., Shanmugavel, M., Kampasi, H., Singh, R., Mondhe, D. M., Rao, J. M., Adwankar, M. K., Saxena, A. K., and Qazi, G. N. Chemically standardized isolates from Cedrus deodara stem wood having anticancer activity. Planta Med 2007;73(6):519-526. View abstract.

Sunila, E. S. and Kuttan, G. A preliminary study on antimetastatic activity of Thuja occidentalis L. in mice model. Immunopharmacol.Immunotoxicol. 2006;28(2):269-280. View abstract.

Ambooken B, Thomas M, Jisha KT. Papillary Eccrine Adenoma in a 5-year-old Girl Altered by Application of Thuja Ointment. J Cutan Aesthet Surg 2020;13(4):370-371. View abstract.

Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. Title 21. Part 182 -- Substances Generally Recognized As Safe. Available at: https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/cfcfr/CFRSearch.cfm?CFRPart=182

Fetrow CW, Avila JR. Professional's Handbook of Complementary & Alternative Medicines. 1st ed. Springhouse, PA: Springhouse Corp., 1999.

Gohla SH, Haubeck HD, Neth RD. Mitogenic activity of high molecular polysaccharide fractions isolated from the Cupressaceae Thuja occidentale L. I. Macrophage-dependent induction of CD-4-positive T-helper (Th+) lymphocytes. Leukemia 1988;2:528-33. View abstract.

Henneicke-von Zepelin H, Hentschel C, Schnitker J, et al. 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;15:214-27. View abstract.

Lust J. The herb book. New York, NY: Bantam Books, 1999.

Millet Y, Jouglard J, Steinmetz MD, et al. Toxicity of some essential plant oils. Clinical and experimental study. Clin Toxicol 1981;18:1485-98. View abstract.

Offergeld R, Reinecker C, Gumz E, et al. 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-91S. View abstract.

Patel R, Alavi F, Ortega S, Matela A. Herb-Induced Liver Injury by Cimicifuga racemosa and Thuja occidentalis Herbal Medications for Fertility. Case Rep Gastrointest Med 2021;2021:8858310. View abstract.

Stafstrom CE. Seizures in a 7-month-old child after exposure to the essential plant oil thuja. Pediatr Neurol 2007;37:446-8. View abstract.

Chronic Conditions Common in Minorities

What Vitamins Do You Need as You Age?

Follow a Healthy Path

Think You Have a Vitamin B12 Deficiency?

CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.

This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.

VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS CENTER

DRUGS AND MEDICATIONS CENTER

FIRST AID RESOURCES

RELATED TO VITAMINS & SUPPLEMENTS

THUJA - Uses, Side Effects, and More

Overview

How does it work ?

Uses & Effectiveness ?

Side Effects

Special Precautions and Warnings

Interactions ?

Moderate Interaction

Medications that increase the chance of having a seizure (Seizure threshold lowering drugs) interacts with THUJA

Medications used to prevent seizures (Anticonvulsants) interacts with THUJA

Medications that decrease the immune system (Immunosuppressants) interacts with THUJA

Dosing

You Might Also Like

Health Solutions

More from WebMD