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.

Uses & Effectiveness

We currently have no information for Thuja overview.

Side Effects

When taken by mouth: Thuja is LIKELY SAFE when products that are thujone-free are taken in food amounts. But it is POSSIBLY UNSAFE to take thuja in the larger amounts found in medicine. Large doses of thuja can cause queasiness, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, and death.

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

Special Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy and breast-feeding: It's LIKELY UNSAFE to take thuja by mouth if you are pregnant. Thuja might cause a miscarriage. It is also LIKELY UNSAFE to take thuja by mouth if you are breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

"Auto-immune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Thuja might cause the immune system to become more active, and this could increase the symptoms of auto-immune diseases. If you have one of these conditions, it's best to avoid using thuja.

Seizures: Taking thuja might cause seizures in some people. Don't take thuja if you have a history of having seizures.

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).

Dosing

The appropriate dose of thuja 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 thuja. 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

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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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Thuja - Uses, Side Effects, and More