Yew

Botanical Overview

Yew (Taxus sp) 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.

Family Context

The Taxaceae family is widely distributed. Notable medicinal members include:

Active Compounds

Phytochemical research has identified 2 compounds in this species: ginkgetin, sciadopitysin.

ⓘ Information
Information on this page is compiled from Dr. Duke’s Phytochemical and Ethnobotanical Databases (USDA ARS), a public domain resource. Consult a healthcare professional before using any herbal preparation.
⚠ Caution
Traditional records: This plant has documented uses including Poison. Self-medication with herbs carries risks including allergic reactions, drug interactions, and toxicity. Only use under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.

Complete Use Records

CategoryCultural Context
HomicideGuatemala
PoisonGuatemala

Complete Chemical Inventory

CompoundFormulaMW
GINKGETINC₃₂H₂₂O₁₀566.5 Da
SCIADOPITYSINC₃₃H₂₄O₁₀580.5 Da

Data from PubChem (NIH/NLM, public domain).


References & Further Reading

External Research Links

Data Sources