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

Overview

Yew is an evergreen tree. People use the bark, branch tips, and needles to make medicine. Paclitaxel (Taxol), a prescription drug for the treatment of breast and ovarian cancer, originally came from the bark of the yew tree. But now paclitaxel is made in a lab.

Despite serious safety concerns, yew is used for promoting menstruation and causing abortion, treating certain parasite infections, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support any of these uses.

How does it work ?

It is not known how yew might work as a medicine. The chemicals in yew are toxic, especially to cells in the heart. They cause the heart cells to work differently, making the heart beat faster and slower.

Uses & Effectiveness

Insufficient Evidence for

Menstrual disorders.
Abortion.
Tapeworms.
Swollen tonsils.
Epilepsy (seizures).
Kidney problems.
Liver problems.
Cancer.
Other conditions.

More evidence is needed to rate the effectiveness of yew for these uses.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Yew is LIKELY UNSAFE for people. All parts of the yew plant are considered poisonous. Yew can cause severe stomach problems. It can also cause the heart rate to slow down or speed up dangerously. Signs of poisoning might include nausea, dry mouth, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, weakness, nervousness, heart problems, and many others. Death has occurred after taking 50-100 grams of yew needles.

When applied to the skin: There isn't enough reliable information to know if yew is safe or what the side effects might be.

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It is UNSAFE for women who are pregnant or breast-feeding to take yew. Yew needles might cause an abortion. Also, taking the needles can poison the mother.

Children: It is UNSAFE for children to eat the berries or needles of yew. Swallowing one berry can be fatal in a child. Eating the berries or needles can also cause the heart to beat dangerously slow or fast.

Interactions

We currently have no information for YEW overview.

Dosing

The appropriate dose of yew 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 yew. 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.

View References

REFERENCES:

Cummins, R. O., Haulman, J., Quan, L., Graves, J. R., Peterson, D., and Horan, S. Near-fatal yew berry intoxication treated with external cardiac pacing and digoxin-specific FAB antibody fragments. Ann.Emerg.Med. 1990;19(1):38-43. View abstract.

Feldman, R., Chrobak, J., Liberek, Z., and Szajewski, J. [4 cases of poisoning with the extract of yew (Taxus baccata) needles]. Pol.Arch.Med.Wewn. 1988;79(1):26-29. View abstract.

Maguchi, S. and Fukuda, S. Taxus cuspidata (Japanese yew) pollen nasal allergy. Auris Nasus Larynx 2001;28 Suppl:S43-S47. View abstract.

Musshoff, F., Jacob, B., Fowinkel, C., and Daldrup, T. Suicidal yew leave ingestion--phloroglucindimethylether (3,5-dimethoxyphenol) as a marker for poisoning from Taxus baccata. Int.J.Legal Med. 1993;106(1):45-50. View abstract.

Stebbing, J., Simmons, H. L., and Hepple, J. Deliberate self-harm using yew leaves (Taxus baccata). Br.J.Clin.Pract. 1995;49(2):101. View abstract.

von der, Werth J. and Murphy, J. J. Cardiovascular toxicity associated with yew leaf ingestion. Br.Heart J. 1994;72(1):92-93. View abstract.

Willaert, W., Claessens, P., Vankelecom, B., and Vanderheyden, M. Intoxication with taxus baccata: cardiac arrhythmias following yew leaves ingestion. Pacing Clin.Electrophysiol. 2002;25(4 Pt 1):511-512. View abstract.

Yersin, B., Frey, J. G., Schaller, M. D., Nicod, P., and Perret, C. Fatal cardiac arrhythmias and shock following yew leaves ingestion. Ann.Emerg.Med. 1987;16(12):1396-1397. View abstract.

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Baum C, Bohnen S, Sill B, et al. Prolonged resuscitation and cardiogenic shock after intoxication with European yew (Taxus baccata): Complete recovery after intermittent mechanical circulatory support. Int J Cardiol. 2015;181:176-8. View abstract.

de Vos FYFL, van Laarhoven HMW. Taxus baccata allergy in a breast cancer patient. Neth J Med. 2012;70(5):249-0. View abstract.

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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.

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