Thuja

Thuja occidentalis

Origin
Native to Canada and the eastern US, but now also widely cultivated as an ornamental tree. Prefers swamps and other wetlands.

Background
Featured in the US Pharmacopoeia until 1894. Used in modern herbalism to treat warts, cancer, catarrh, and other conditions.

Preparation
The fresh leaves and twigs of the oneyear- old plant are chopped finely and macerated in alcohol, then filtered, diluted, and succussed.

Common Names
Arbor vitae, tree of life, white cedar.

ARBOR VITAE American Indians burned arbor vitae for its smoky scent, which was deemed to ward off evil spirits.

Key Symptoms

warts and polyps; feeling of being unlovable; complaints that develop after vaccination or gonorrhea; delusions; nail problems; catarrh

Arbor vitae was used by American Indians as a source of hard-wearing wood and of herbal medicine for fever, coughs, menstrual problems, headaches, and muscle and joint pain. European settlers later incorporated it into their herbal lore, and it has also become a popular ornamental tree in European gardens. The remedy Thuja was proved by Hahnemann, and published in his Materia Medica Pura (1821–34).

Remedy Profile

Serious, sensitive people who are easily upset and feel that they are unlovable respond best to Thuja. They may try to present a pleasing image to the world but, if reactions are negative, they neglect their appearance, becoming secretive and depressed. Delusions about the body may be evident, as may fanatical ideas or paranoia, with a feeling that others are trying to manipulate them. They tend to sleep badly.

Thuja is used for skin and urogenital disorders, headaches, and respiratory or menstrual problems. Typically there is localized pain, exhaustion, and rapid weight loss. Symptoms may be due to health changes following a vaccination, or date back to a bout of gonorrhea.

Skin conditions

Symptoms: Large, "cauliflower" warts, and warts that weep, sting, or are on stalks. There may be scaly patches on covered body areas, itchy skin complaints, brown "age spots," and ridged, weak, or deformed nails. Thuja is widely used as an ointment for warts and verrucas.

Symptoms better: For free flow of discharges and catarrh.

Symptoms worse: For cold and damp; after gonorrhea; after a vaccination.

Urogenital problems

Symptoms: Swollen, inflamed urethra, with urine stream split and weak, and frequent strong urges to urinate, perhaps with trickling incontinence. In men, urethral infection is common, usually with a discharge and possibly affecting the prostate gland. In women, there may be vaginal infection, often with profuse discharge. Inflammation may spread through the pelvic area. Genital warts and herpes may develop, as may ulcers and uterine polyps. Thuja may also be given to treat suppressed gonorrhea.

Symptoms better: For warm air; for drawing up the limbs.

Symptoms worse: For cold and damp; for movement; for urinating; for gonorrhea.

Headaches

Symptoms: Piercing neuralgic pain due to stress, exhaustion, or overexcitement, or related to inflamed gums, tooth decay, or infected sinuses.

Symptoms better: For tilting the head backward.

Symptoms worse: For sexual excess; for tea.

Catarrh & sinusitis

Symptoms: Chronic sinus or respiratory problems, usually with foul-smelling, green or yellow-green catarrh. Asthma may respond to Thuja, as may nasal polyps with thick, green, bloody mucus containing pus.

Symptoms better: For warm air; for expelling catarrh.

Symptoms worse: For cold and damp; during menstruation; for tobacco.

Menstrual problems

Symptoms: Early or scant menstrual periods. There may be menstrual pain that is localized over the left ovary. Ovarian cysts may also respond to Thuja.

Symptoms better: For drawing up the limbs; for lying on the affected side or on the back.

Symptoms worse: On the left side; during menstruation; after gonorrhea.

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