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Yew

The yew is a tree whose bark, twig tips and needles are used by some people to make medicine.

Despite serious safety concerns, yew products are used by some people to treat diphtheria, swollen tonsils, epileptic seizures, rheumatic muscle and joint pain, urinary tract disorders and liver disorders. Women use yew products to induce menstruation and to induce abortion.

How do yew products work?

Yew products may affect different parts of the body including the nerves, heart and muscles.

How effective are yew products?

There is not enough scientific data to make a statement about the effectiveness of yew products for menstrual problems, tapeworms, swollen tonsils, epileptic seizures, kidney problems, liver problems and cancer, as well as when used to induce abortion.

Further scientific research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of yew products in these applications.

Safety and side effects

Yew is not safe and harmless for anyone. All parts of the plant are considered poisonous. Yew products can cause serious stomach problems and dangerously lower the heart rate. Signs of poisoning include nausea, dry mouth, vomiting, stomach pain, dizziness, weakness, nervousness, heart problems and many others. An ingestion of 50 to 100 grams of yew needles can be fatal.

Precautions and warnings

Ingestion of yew products is not safe for anyone, but some groups of people have special reasons to avoid yew products:

Children: ingestion of a single yew berry can be fatal to a child.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Some women use yew needles to induce abortion. However, these needles can also poison the mother.

Interactions

There is currently no information on interactions between yew and medications or supplements.

Dosage

An appropriate dosage of yew products depends on various factors such as age, state of health and others. At the present time, there is insufficient scientific data to make a statement about appropriate dosage ranges for yew products. For this reason, you should follow the dosage instructions on the label and/or consult a doctor or pharmacist before use.

References

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