Title: Thuja
Additional Names: Arbor vitae; white cedar; tree of life
Literature References: Coniferous, pyramidal evergreen tree, Thuja occidentalis L., Cupressaceae, used as an ornamental plant and in traditional medicine to treat respiratory infection, warts, scurvy and rheumatism. Habit. North America, Europe. Medicinal portions include the dried, leafy young branches and the oil extracted from the leaves and branch tips. Constit. Volatile oil (1.4-4%); p-coumaric acid; umbelliferone; flavonoids incl. quercetin, mearusitrin; tannic acid (~1.3%); polysaccharides and proteins (~4%). Botanical description and medicinal uses: J. Gruenwald et al., PDR for Herbal Medicines (Medical Economics, Montvale, 2nd Ed., 2000) pp 759-760. Review of pharmacology and clinical experience: B. Naser et al., Evid. Based Complement. Alternat. Med. 2, 69-78 (2005).
Derivative Type: Volatile oil
CAS Registry Number: 8007-20-3
Additional Names: Oil of thuja; cedar leaf oil; oil of white cedar
Literature References: Constit. a-thujone (69%), b-thujone (7-10%), fenchone (10-15%). Fragrance monograph: Food Cosmet. Toxicol. 12, 843-844 (1974).
Properties: Colorless to yellow liquid. d2525 0.906-0.916. nD20 1.4560-1.4590. Sol in most fixed oils, mineral oil, propylene glycol; 1 ml dissolves in 3 ml 70% alcohol. Practically insol in glycerin.
Index of refraction: nD20 1.4560-1.4590
Density: d2525 0.906-0.916
CAUTION: Symtpoms of overexposure may include queasiness, vomiting, painful diarrhea, mucous membrane hemorrhaging, death (Gruenwald).
Use: As fragrance in soaps, detergents, perfumes.
Therap-Cat: Immunostimulant. |