Thuja plicata or occidentalis
(Western cedar)

Therapeutic Actions:

• Antifungal
• Antiviral
• Emmenagogue
• Expectorant - bronchial disorders where there is catarrh
• Stimulant
• Stimulates smooth muscles, especially those of the bronchials and uterus

Clinical Indications:

• Amenorrhea
• Aphthous stomatitis
• Bronchitis
• Cystitis
• Herpes simplex
• Psoriasis
• Rheumatoid arthritis - use as a compress
• Stress Incontinence
• Impetigo - use externally
• Ringworm
• Warts - use externally

Contraindications:

• Dry irritable cough
• Pregnancy due to the emmenagogue effect

Drug/Nutrient Interaction:

• Limited data

Chemical Constituents:

• Flavonoids
• Mucilage
• Tannins
• Volatile oil containing:
  
  Borneol
  Borny acetate
  Camphor
  Isothujone
  l-a-thujene
  l-fenchone
  Limonen
  Sabinene
  Thujone

Toxicity:

• Thujone is toxic in large doses
• Sumptoms include:
  
  Catharsis
  Coma
  Convulsions associated with lesions of the cerebral cortex
  Decreased blood pressure
  GI irritation
  Death
• Treatment:
  
  Activated charcoal
  Avoid aspiration pneumonitis
  Cathartic
  Emetic or gastric lavage
  Establish respiration
  Monitor cardiac function closely
  Seizures: IV diazepam

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).