Common Name: |
English Yew |
Other Names: |
Common Yew, Common Yew, European Yew, Yew |
Botanical Name: |
Taxus baccata |
Genus: |
Taxus |
Family: |
Taxaceae |
Native Location: |
Europe to N Africa and Iran |
Cultivation: |
Well-drained soil in sun or shade. Trim hedges and topiary in summer and early autumn. Withstands hard remedial pruning. |
Propagation: |
By seed sown in autumn; by semi-ripe cuttings in late summer or early autumn. Seeds may take two years or more to germinate. |
Harvest: |
Leaves are picked in early autumn or in spring, and bark is collected from autumn to spring, for commercial extraction of taxol. |
Varieties: |
Dovastonii Aurea Is a small female tree with spreading branches, pendant branchlets, yellow shoots, and yellow-margined leaves. Height: 3-5m (10-15ft) Width: 2m (6ft) |
Fastigiata Syn. Hibernica (Irish Yew) Is a female tree with a narrow, upright habit and leaves arranged radially. Height: 10m (30ft) Width: 6m (20ft) |
Repandens Is a female shrub with a prostrate, mound forming habit. Height: 60cm (24in) Width: 5m (15ft) |
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Height: |
10-20m (30-70ft) |
Width: |
8-10m (25-30ft) |
Hardiness: |
Z6 |
Parts Used: |
Leaves, leaf extract (paclitaxel), branches, twig tips. |
Properties: |
A bitter, astringent, purgative herb that contains extremely poisonous alkaloids and anti-cancer paclitaxel (taxol). |
Medicinal Uses: |
Internally, in the form of paclitaxel, for breast and ovarian cancers. Also in the form of a homeopathic tincture only, for bronchial and urinary problems, arthritis, gout and pustular skin diseases. To treat epilepsy, worm infestastions, diphtheria, rheumatism, and liver ailments. |
Possible Side Effects: |
Yew's side effects include lowered blood pressure, irregular heartbeat, nausea, vomiting, allergic reactions, and joint and muscle pain. |
Drug Interactions: |
Taking yew with these drugs may interfere with the action of the drug: |
Omeprazole, (Losec, Prilosec) |
Pantoprazole, (Pantoloc, Protonix) |
Ranitidine, (Alti-Ranitidine, Zantac) |
Sucralfate, (Carafate, Sulcrate) |
Taking yew with these drugs may worsen the drug's side effects and/or interfere with the drug's action: |
Docetaxel, (Taxotere) |
Paclitaxel, (Onxol, Taxol) |
Tamoxifen, (Nolvadex, Tamofen) |
Taking yew with these drugs may be harmful: |
Ketoconazole, (Apo-Keoconazole, Nizoral)may interfere with the metabolism of the drug. |
Sucralfate, (Carafate, Sulcrate)may interfere with the action of the drug. |
|
Warning: |
For use by qualified practioners only. No longer used in herbal medicine due to its toxicity. All parts, except aril, are extremely toxic if eaten. |
Bibliography: |
The Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Bown, Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited. pp. 383-384 The Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.505-506 |