Boxwood

Boxwood (Buxus sempervirens) is an evergreen shrub or small tree from the boxwood family (Buxaceae). It is widespread in Europe, North Africa, and West Asia and has been valued for centuries as an ornamental plant in gardens and parks. Thanks to its dense, slow-growing structure, it is excellently suited for topiary and hedges. Beyond its decorative function, however, Boxwood also contains various constituents that can have pharmacological effects. For this reason, it is also used in traditional medicine.

What benefits does Boxwood offer?

Although Boxwood was used in traditional medicine, its usefulness is limited due to its potential toxicity. Studies have linked Boxwood to various effects. As in other cases, however, these studies must be viewed critically, as the results cannot readily be applied to everyone

  • Fever-reducing properties: In the past, Boxwood tea was used to treat fever, especially as an alternative to quinine for malaria.
  • Anti-inflammatory effects: Certain alkaloids of Boxwood are said to possess anti-inflammatory properties, which is why it was used in folk medicine for rheumatic complaints (1).
  • Skin conditions and wound healing: In some regions, Boxwood was used externally to treat skin diseases such as eczema or ulcers; in addition, it showed a positive effect on wound healing in studies (2,3).
  • Antibacterial and antifungal effects: Several studies have linked various extracts of the plant to antibacterial or antifungal effects(1,4,5).
  • Cholesterol-lowering effects: An animal study linked Buxus sempervirens to a blood-lipid-lowering effect (6).
  • Antioxidant effects: Scientific investigations showed that Boxwood exerts an antioxidant effect (1,6).

How does Boxwood work?

The pharmacological effects of Boxwood are based on its bioactive constituents:

  • Buxine and cyclobuxine: These alkaloids can have toxic effects at higher doses (1,5).
  • Tannins: They contribute to the astringent effect and were traditionally used for skin treatments (5,7,8).
  • Flavonoids: These compounds possess antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties (1,5,9).

Side effects and risks

Boxwood contains several toxic alkaloids. That is probably one reason why Boxwood is found in gardens rather than in medicinal settings today:

  • Risk of poisoning: Consuming Boxwood leaves or bark can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, cramps, and, in severe cases, respiratory paralysis.
  • Skin irritation: Direct contact with the plant sap can cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
  • Not recommended for internal use: Due to its toxicity, internal use is strongly discouraged.

Conclusion

Boxwood is a versatile ornamental plant with a long history in traditional medicine. Due to its potential toxicity, however, it is hardly used medicinally anymore today. Its value lies above all in its use as a garden plant and hedge plant. Anyone wishing to use Boxwood for health purposes should do so only after careful research and consultation with an expert, and never on their own initiative.

Source:

  1. Amtaghri, S., & Eddouks, M. (2024). Pharmacological and phytochemical properties of the genus Buxus: A review. Fitoterapia, 177, 106081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fitote.2024.106081
  2. Süntar, I., Keles, H., & Aktay, G. (2013). Evaluation of the wound healing activity of Buxus sempervirens L. and Centaurium erythraea (L.) Rafn. by using in vivo and in vitro methods. Planta Medica, 79. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1352002
  3. Küpeli Akkol, E., Süntar, I., Keles, H., & Aktay, G. (2013). Evaluation of the wound healing activity of Buxus sempervirens L. and Centaurium erythraea (L.) Rafn. by using in vivo and in vitro methods. Planta Medica, 79(13), PC8. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0033-1352002
  4. Palchykov, V. A., Zazharskyi, V. V., Brygadyrenko, V. V., Davydenko, P. O., Kulishenko, O. M., & Borovik, I. V. (2020). Chemical composition and antibacterial effect of ethanolic extract of Buxus sempervirens on cryogenic strains of microorganisms in vitro. Chemical Data Collections, 25, 100323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cdc.2019.100323
  5. Ait Slimane- Ait Kaki, Sabrina & Oulebsir-Mohandkaci, Hakima & Kaki, Y & Amellal, Hajar. (2015). Evaluation of the biological activity of the polyphenols of Buxus sempervirens L. against some bacterial strains. 22.
  6. Ajebli, M., & Eddouks, M. (2018). Buxus sempervirens L. improves lipid profile in diabetic rats. Cardiovascular & Hematological Disorders-Drug Targets, 18. https://doi.org/10.2174/1871529X18666180419100823
  7. Su, X., Liu, X., Wang, S., Li, B., Pan, T., Liu, D., Wang, F., Diao, Y., & Li, K. (2017). Wound-healing promoting effect of total tannins from Entada phaseoloides (L.) Merr. in rats. Burns, 43(4), 830-838. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burns.2016.10.010
  8. Chokotho, L., & van Hasselt, E. (2005). The use of tannins in the local treatment of burn wounds - a pilot study. Malawi medical journal : the journal of Medical Association of Malawi, 17(1), 19–20. https://doi.org/10.4314/mmj.v17i1.10866
  9. Maleki, S. J., Crespo, J. F., & Cabanillas, B. (2019). Anti-inflammatory effects of flavonoids. Food Chemistry, 299, 125124. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2019.125124