Oriental Arborvitae Interactions Overview

Additional Details

Is Oriental Arborvitae Safe? Are There Any Warnings?

Oriental arborvitae is considered possibly safe when used orally and appropriately in tea at appropriate doses for short-term use. However, long-term or higher-dose oral use should be avoided as the plant contains thujone, which can lead to harmful adverse effects including kidney damage and convulsions.

The safety of oriental arborvitae seed and topical use of any parts of the plant is not well-established. It is advised to exercise caution and consult a healthcare professional before using Oriental Arborvitae.

How Does Oriental Arborvitae Work? What Is the Mechanism of Action?

Oriental arborvitae contains various constituents including alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponin, tannins, and terpenes. One of the main constituents, thujone, is found in the volatile oil of oriental arborvitae.

The plant has been found to have antibacterial, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects. It also shows potential hair growth-promoting effects through the regulation of proteins involved in hair follicle growth (beta-catenin and Shh proteins). However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms of action of oriental arborvitae.

Pharmacokinetics

There is insufficient reliable information available regarding the pharmacokinetics of oriental arborvitae. Further research is needed to explore how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes the active constituents present in oriental arborvitae.

Interaction Overview

Based on the available data, there are no known significant interactions with drugs or supplements associated with oriental arborvitae. However, caution should be exercised when using thujone-containing herbs concomitantly, such as oak moss, sage, tansy, thuja (cedar), tree moss, and wormwood, as this may increase the risk of thujone toxicity. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before combining oriental arborvitae with any medications or supplements to minimize any potential interactions.

Common Side Effects to Watch For

Orally taking oriental arborvitae long-term or at high doses that contain thujone may cause adverse effects such as restlessness, vomiting, dizziness, tremors, kidney damage, hallucinations, and convulsions. These adverse effects are seen as a result of thujone intoxication, which can cause psychoactive effects similar to tetrahydrocannabinol found in marijuana.

Are Supplements Standardized?

There is insufficient reliable information available regarding the standardization of oriental arborvitae supplement. It is recommended to choose reputable brands that provide information on the composition and quality of their products.

What Is Oriental Arborvitae Typically Used For?

Oriental arborvitae has been traditionally used for various purposes, including relief of headache, cough, acute bronchitis, asthma, anxiety, cancer, constipation, epilepsy, dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, premature ejaculation, gastrointestinal bleeding, intestinal parasite infection, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, hyperhidrosis, pain, and rheumatoid arthritis.

Topically, it is used for androgenic alopecia, hemorrhoids, burns, and hyperhidrosis. However, there is insufficient reliable evidence to fully assess the effectiveness of oriental arborvitae for these uses. Further research is needed to establish its clinical benefits and optimal dosage regimens.

Drugs that interact with Oriental Arborvitae