Age Ayurveda Nighantu

Sthneyaka

Taxus baccata L. (possibly Taxus wallichiana Zucc. in Indian context)

Sthneyaka (Taxus baccata L. (possibly Taxus wallichiana Zucc. in Indian context)) is a plant used in Ayurveda, from the Taxaceae family. [Phytochemical Characterization of Taxus baccata L. Aril with Emphasis on Evaluation of the Antiproliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Activity of Rhodoxanthin](https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35739936/).

Key facts
Botanical nameTaxus baccata L. (possibly Taxus wallichiana Zucc. in Indian context)
FamilyTaxaceae
OrderPinales
Pharmacopoeia statusPaclitaxel (derived from Taxus) listed on WHO Model List of Essential Medicines as an anticancer agent; raw plant material not recommended for traditional medicine use due to extreme toxicity; Taxus wallichiana listed on CITES Appendix II (threatened species)
Taxon identifiersGBIF 5284517 · Wikidata Q179729 · NCBI Taxonomy 25629

Names and identification

LanguageName
EnglishSthneyaka
Latin/BotanicalTaxus baccata L. (possibly Taxus wallichiana Zucc. in Indian context)

Key Phytochemical Constituents

  • Paclitaxel (Taxol A)
  • Taxine A
  • Taxine B
  • Baccatin III
  • 10-Deacetylbaccatin III
  • Cephalomannine (Taxol B)
  • Taxane diterpenoids
  • Bioflavonoids (amentoflavone, ginkgetin)
  • Phytosterols
  • Lignans

How does it work?

  • Paclitaxel binds to beta-tubulin subunits of microtubules, stabilizing them against depolymerization and arresting cell division at metaphase, making it one of the most important anticancer drugs discovered from plants
  • Taxine B blocks cardiac sodium and calcium channels and disrupts sodium-potassium transport (similar to digitalis glycosides), causing potentially lethal cardiac arrhythmias - this is the primary toxic mechanism
  • Baccatin III serves as a semisynthetic precursor for paclitaxel production and exhibits independent anti-inflammatory effects through inhibition of NF-kB-mediated inflammatory gene transcription

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

  • Anticancer activity spectacularly validated - paclitaxel is among the most successful plant-derived anticancer drugs, used globally for ovarian, breast, lung, and Kaposi’s sarcoma treatment
  • Anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties validated in Ayurvedic context for regulated traditional use (under strict supervision), supporting kapha-pacifying indications described in classical texts
  • Traditional use requires extreme caution: validated pharmacological activity exists but therapeutic window is extremely narrow, making unsupervised use potentially fatal

What do recent clinical trials show?

2 further claims previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and have been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

  • EXTREMELY TOXIC: All parts except the fleshy aril are lethal; lethal dose is approximately 50g of yew needles or 3.0-6.5 mg taxines/kg body weight in humans; there is no known antidote
  • Taxine alkaloids cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias (diastolic cardiac arrest); symptoms include dizziness, mydriasis, nausea, vomiting, tachycardia progressing to bradycardia and death
  • Paclitaxel as a pharmaceutical drug has its own extensive adverse effect profile (myelosuppression, peripheral neuropathy, hypersensitivity reactions) managed under oncology protocols; raw plant should NEVER be self-administered

What is it made of?

Key Active Markers

  • Amentoflavone
  • Phytosterols
  • Lignans
  • Paclitaxel
  • Taxine A
  • Taxine B
  • Baccatin III
  • 10-Deacetylbaccatin III
  • Cephalomannine
  • Taxane diterpenoids
  • Bioflavonoids

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (powder), Kwatha (decoction), Vati (tablet), Capsule

Standard Dosage: 3-5 g powder per day in divided doses; 50-100 mL kwatha twice daily; 500 mg capsule twice daily

Bioavailability: Limited pharmacokinetic data available. Estimated moderate bioavailability (20-35%) for phenolic and flavonoid constituents based on structural class. Traditional warm water or milk vehicle enhances absorption.

Optimal Timing: After meals with warm water or milk

Standardized Extract: Aqueous-ethanolic extract (5:1), characterized by HPTLC fingerprint profile; standardized to NLT 2% total phenolics by Folin-Ciocalteu method

Shelf Life: 24 months for churna; 30 months for capsules and tablets

Storage: Store below 25 deg C in airtight containers, protected from light and moisture.

Marker Compounds: Beta-sitosterol, Gallic acid, Total phenolics, Total flavonoids

Extraction Methods

  • Aqueous decoction
  • Hydroalcoholic extraction (50% ethanol)
  • Cold maceration
  • Percolation with graded alcohol

Synergistic Combinations

  • Ashwagandha (Balya — strength-building combinations)
  • Shatavari (nourishing formulations)
  • Bala (Vatahara and tonic synergy)

Published research

Literature indexed in PubMed that concerns this subject, grouped by study type. A paper appearing here is a record of what has been published, not evidence that the subject works, and laboratory or animal results do not transfer to people. Study titles link to PubMed so you can read the source rather than take our word.

Other clinical studies and reviews8

  1. Gao X, Zhang N, Xie W. 2024. Research on the Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology of Taxus × mediaInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 38891943 · doi:10.3390/ijms25115756
  2. Brooks-Lim EWL, Mérette SA, Hawkins BJ and others. 2022. Fatal ingestion of Taxus baccata: English yewJournal of forensic sciences. PMID 34779510 · doi:10.1111/1556-4029.14941
  3. Nižnanský Ľ, Osinová D, Kuruc R and others. 2022. Natural Taxanes: From Plant Composition to Human Pharmacology and ToxicityInternational journal of molecular sciences. PMID 36555256 · doi:10.3390/ijms232415619
  4. Reijnen G, Bethlehem C, van Remmen JMBL and others. 2017. Post-mortem findings in 22 fatal Taxus baccata intoxications and a possible solution to its detectionJournal of forensic and legal medicine. PMID 28865388 · doi:10.1016/j.jflm.2017.08.016
  5. Alken S, Kelly CM. 2013. Benefit risk assessment and update on the use of docetaxel in the management of breast cancerCancer management and research. PMID 24143122 · doi:10.2147/CMAR.S49321
  6. 2012. Taxanes PMID 31644104
  7. Vaishampayan U, Parchment RE, Jasti BR and others. 1999. Taxanes: an overview of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamicsUrology. PMID 10606281 · doi:10.1016/s0090-4295(99)00451-3
  8. Lavelle F, Bissery MC, Combeau C and others. 1995. Preclinical evaluation of docetaxel (Taxotere)Seminars in oncology. PMID 7740328

Laboratory and animal studies4

  1. Maleki K, Chmielarz P, Wawrzyniak MK and others. 2024. Seed Regeneration in Taxus baccata: Unveiling Ecological Restrictions and Paving the Way for Future StudiesEcology and evolution. PMID 39530032 · doi:10.1002/ece3.70534
  2. Götz J, Leinemann L, Gailing O and others. 2024. Development of a highly polymorphic chloroplast SSR set in Abies grandis with transferability to other conifer species-A promising toolkit for gene flow investigationsEcology and evolution. PMID 38903146 · doi:10.1002/ece3.11593
  3. Calvia G, Casula P, Farris E and others. 2023. Shrub Cover and Soil Moisture Affect Taxus baccata L. Regeneration at Its Southern RangePlants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 37176876 · doi:10.3390/plants12091819
  4. Dumitraş DA, Bunea A, Vodnar DC and others. 2022. Phytochemical Characterization of Taxus baccata L. Aril with Emphasis on Evaluation of the Antiproliferative and Pro-Apoptotic Activity of RhodoxanthinAntioxidants (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 35739936 · doi:10.3390/antiox11061039

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