Botanical Overview
Yew (Taxus cuspidata) belongs to the Taxaceae family. Limited but reliable traditional records indicate this plant has recognized medicinal applications in one or more healing traditions. This species belongs to the Taxaceae family, a group of flowering plants.
General Description
Taxus cuspidata, the Japanese yew or spreading yew, is a member of the genus Taxus, native to Japan, Korea, northeast China and the extreme southeast of Russia.
Family Context
The Taxaceae family is widely distributed. Notable medicinal members include:
- Common Yew — 29 documented uses
- Yew — 2 documented uses
Geographic Distribution
Yew has been recorded in 10 countries and territories worldwide, including Canada, China, Germany, Japan, North Korea, and others.
Traditional Uses
Yew has been traditionally used for urinary tract health and reproductive health.
Urinary tract health.
- Diuretic
Urinary tract applications typically involve drinking the herb as a mild tea, which increases urine production and helps flush the urinary system. It may be combined with other demulcent herbs to soothe irritated tissues.
Reproductive health.
- Emmenagogue
In traditional contexts, reproductive health applications typically involve internal preparations such as teas or decoctions. The herb may be taken at specific times during the menstrual cycle.
Active Compounds
Phytochemical research has identified 4 compounds in this species, including a diverse array of phytochemical classes (see the Complete Chemical Inventory below for the full list).
The identified compounds include the following categories:
- Alkaloid: nitrogenous compounds with diverse pharmacological activities