Tree of life more occidental

Thuja occidentalis is a 6 to 20 m tall evergreen conifer from the cypress family.

Arboreal species are regarded as poisonous and contain essential oils and thujones, especially diterpenes such as dehydroabietan, neothujic acid III and IV, lignans, thujaplicatin methyl ester, epipinoresinol as well as monotherpenes such as alpha-thujone, beta-thujone, fenchon, sabinene, pinene.

Thuja occidentalis is the parent plant of the phytotherapeutically used Thujae summitates, the tops of the trees of life.

Historical: In the past, preparations of arbor vitae were used as anthelmintic. With external rubbing one treated gout and rheumatism. Poisonings were not uncommon, due to improper dosage. Essences, tinctures and solutions prepared from the tips of twigs are used in naturopathy (see below phytotherapy) and homeopathy. Indications are: gout and rheumatism, gastritis, certain neuralgias, as well as inflammation of the eyes and ears.

Due to its antiviral effectiveness, Thjae extracts can be used in the treatment of warts, mollusca contgiosa and condylomata acuminata.

Can be used cosmetically:

• Oleum Thujae, the essential oil of thuja obtained by steam distillation
• Thuja occidentalis leaf/stem extract the extract from the leaves and wood of the plant
• Thuja occidentalis root extract, the root extract
• Thuja occidentalis leaf extract, the extract from the leaves (needles) of the tree.

Even repeated contact with the plant can lead to severe inflammatory skin reactions.

Consuming or swallowing parts of the plant can lead to severe inflammation of the stomach and intestines, cramps and damage to the kidneys and liver.

Deaths caused by thujone (especially after it has been added as a flavouring to alcoholic drinks, e.g. absith) have been described.

Poisoning can occur in animals, with horses being particularly sensitive.

The tree of life is the parent plant of Thujae summitates the tops of the tree of life.

1. Chang LC et al (2000) Bioactive constituents of Thuja occidentalis. J Nat Prod 63: 1235-1238
2. Iwamoto M et al (2003) Potential antitumor promoting diterpenoids from the stem bark of Thuja standishii. Planta Med 69: 69-72
3. Nickavar B et al (2003) Volatile constituents of the fruit and leaf oils of Thuja orientalis L. grown in Iran. Z Natural history 58: 171-172

4. Roth L et al (1994) Poisonous plants and plant toxins. Nikol Publishing Company, Hamburg S 941-942