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Taxus brevifolia - Pacific yew

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Taxus brevifolia

Taxus brevifolia is a conifer native to the Pacific Northwest of North America. It ranges from southernmost Alaska south to central California, mostly in the Pacific Coast Ranges, but with isolated disjunct populations in southeast British Columbia in north to central Idaho.

Uses

Diphtheria, Tapeworms,, Swollen tonsils, Seizures, Muscle and joint pain, Urinary tract conditions, Liver problems, Breast cancer, Ovarian cancer.

Parts Used

Fruits, Seeds.

Chemical Composition

The Pacific yew is poisonous because it contains at least 11 alkaloids, known collectively as taxines. The structure of only two of the alkaloid constituents is known: taxine A, which accounts for 30%, and taxine B, which accounts for 2%. Paclitaxel (Figure 128-1) is a pseudoalkaloid but not a constituent of taxine because its nitrogen is acylated with benzoic acid and has no basic principle.[1]

Common names

Language Common name
Kannada
Hindi Gallu, Thuno
Malayalam
Tamil
Telugu
Marathi NA
Gujarathi NA
Punjabi NA
Kashmiri NA
Sanskrit Manduparni
English Himalayan Yew


Properties

Reference: Dravya - Substance, Rasa - Taste, Guna - Qualities, Veerya - Potency, Vipaka - Post-digesion effect, Karma - Pharmacological activity, Prabhava - Therepeutics.

Dravya

Rasa

Tikta (Bitter), Kashaya (Astringent)

Guna

Laghu (Light), Ruksha (Dry), Tikshna (Sharp)

Veerya

Ushna (Hot)

Vipaka

Katu (Pungent)

Karma

Kapha, Vata

Prabhava

Habit

Evergreen tree

Identification

Leaf

Kind Shape Feature
Simple Alternate Evergreen needles, single, spirally arranged

[2]

Flower

Type Size Color and composition Stamen More information
Unisexual 2-4cm long Yellow 5-20 Species is dioecious; male flowers are small, round, and yellow and are borne on the undersides of the leaves

Fruit

Type Size Mass Appearance Seeds More information
round 1/4 inch long clearly grooved lengthwise, Lowest hooked hairs aligned towards crown fleshy, orange-red hard seed {{{6}}}

Other features

List of Ayurvedic medicine in which the herb is used

Where to get the saplings

Mode of Propagation

Seeds.

How to plant/cultivate

Thrives in almost any soil, acid or alkaline, as long as it is well-drained.[3]

Season to grow

Soil type required

Suitable for light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil.[4]

Ecosystem/Climate

Ponderosa pine, Western white pine, Fir - spruce, Hemlock - Sitka spruce, Larch, Redwood.[5]

Commonly seen growing in areas

Banks of mountain streams, Deep gorges and ravines, Borders of forests.

Photo Gallery

References

External Links