FolkKB

Canada Yew

Taxus baccata

Taxus baccata is a coniferous plant used in various traditional medicine systems. Historically, it has been applied as a vermifuge, expectorant, stomachic, and sedative, with additional uses for epilepsy, nervous complaints, and urinary stones. Scientific evidence regarding its medicinal efficacy is limited, though research has focused on biotechnological methods to increase paclitaxel levels in its shoots. There is evidence of significant toxicity, as seen in fatal cases of animal intoxication. No major safety issues or drug interactions are recorded for human use in the provided data.

At a glance
Traditionally for
expectorant · stomachic
Traditions
traditional · Western phytotherapy
Best evidence
D
Cautions
—

Informational only. Traditional use does not mean proven effectiveness. Evidence and safety vary — check the cited sources.

Traditional use

  • expectorant traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • stomachic traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • urinary stones traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • bilious traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • carminative traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • debility traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • epilepsy traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • giddiness traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • headache traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • hysteria traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • nervous complaints traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • pectoral Western phytotherapy T3 DRDUKE
  • sedative traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • spasms traditional T3 DRDUKE
  • vermifuge traditional T3 DRDUKE

What the science says

  • The study reviews advances in functional genomics and biotechnology that enhance the production of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants like Taxus baccata. D PMID
  • TRV triggered localized hypersensitive responses and increased paclitaxel levels in Taxus baccata shoots without systemic infection. D PMID
  • This study reports two fatal cases of donkey intoxication by Taxus baccata, confirmed through necropsy, botanical identification, and toxicological analysis. D PMID
  • The sugar composition of Taxus baccata's pollination drop, rich in glucose and fructose, optimizes pollen capture while limiting interaction with insects. D PMID

Frequently asked questions

What is Canada Yew?

Canada Yew (Taxus baccata) is a plant documented in FolkKB's traditional-medicine reference, drawn from sourced literature and cross-checked against the evidence.

What is Canada Yew traditionally used for?

Traditional sources record Canada Yew for: expectorant, stomachic, urinary stones, bilious, carminative, debility. This reflects traditional use, not a proven medical treatment.

Which traditions use Canada Yew?

Canada Yew appears in these traditions in our sources: traditional, Western phytotherapy.

What does the scientific evidence say about Canada Yew?

4 sourced findings are recorded for Canada Yew; the strongest carries evidence grade D. For example: The study reviews advances in functional genomics and biotechnology that enhance the production of bioactive compounds in medicinal plants like Taxus baccata.

How strong is the evidence for Canada Yew?

The strongest finding for Canada Yew carries evidence grade D — preliminary or traditional. Grades run A (strongest) to D (preliminary or traditional).

Is Canada Yew safe? What are the side effects?

No major safety issues are recorded for Canada Yew in our sources, but the data may be incomplete. Consult a qualified professional before use.

Does Canada Yew interact with medications?

No drug interactions are recorded for Canada Yew in our sources. This does not rule them out — check with a pharmacist.

What are the common names of Canada Yew?

Canada Yew is also known as: тис ягодный.

Is Canada Yew a proven treatment?

No. FolkKB is informational only. Traditional use and early findings are not proof of efficacy or safety — consult a qualified professional and never self-treat.

Sources

  1. T3 Dr. Duke's Ethnobotanical Database public domain (USDA ARS — attribute Dr. Duke's)
  2. T2 Fatal Intoxication of European Yew (Taxus baccata L.) in Two Donkeys in North-Eastern Italy: A Case Report. literature abstract metadata
  3. T2 Sugar-mediated physical constraints drive the evolution of pollination drops into nectar. literature abstract metadata
  4. T2 Tobacco rattle virus triggers local defense and systemically coordinates taxoid biosynthesis in Taxus baccata revealed by integrated metabolic analysis. literature abstract metadata
  5. T2 Advances in Functional Genomics and Biotechnology for Enhancing Therapeutic Potential of Medicinal Plants. literature abstract metadata

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