We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What are the Medicinal Uses of Boxwood?

By Kerrie Main
Updated: Feb 06, 2024
Views: 11,579
Share

Many people look for herbal remedies as part of a homeopathic health regimen. Boxwood is a strong smelling plant that is sometimes used to treat a number of ailments. Some of the medicinal uses of boxwood include the treatment of HIV/AIDS, arthritis, stimulating the immune system, detoxifying the blood, lower fevers, and purging the bowels. In indigenous cultures, boxwood has been used to treat secondary syphilis, as well as leprosy.

The American boxwood is a small, hardwood evergreen plant with many branches and hairy twigs. Its leaves are a half inch long and green, and contain alkaloids and a volatile oil. The boxwood’s trunk bark is gray, and its branch bark is a yellow color. The bark is the primary substance used for medicinal treatment, and it contains tannic and gallic acids, resin, phosphates of lime, iron, silica and sulphates of potassium and lime. Some people use oil distilled from the bark for the treatment of epilepsy and toothaches.

The extract of boxwood is called SPV 30, and is usually safe for most people. Some people have diarrhea and cramps when it is taken in excess. While there is no scientific proof that it can treat health problems, there is a long history of it being used medicinally. Native Americans used the bark as a tonic for stomach issues and as an antiseptic.

Boxwood has been used around the world for thousands of years. The Greek physician Hippocrates used the berries to treat diarrhea, and the Greeks also used it for bowel problems. In Chile, the juice from boxwood leaves are used to help with angina, and in France, the boxwood is sometimes used as a substitute for hops. The dwarf boxwood, C. Suecica, is used in Scotland as a remedy for appetite loss.

There are many warnings associated with using boxwood as a medicinal treatment. For example, pregnant or breastfeeding women should never consume it. It can be toxic if eaten in excess, and leaf extract should be used in place of the whole leaf. The whole leaf is known to cause vomiting, convulsions, seizures, paralysis and death, because it works like a poison. Some people have skin irritations after touching the leaves.

The appropriate medical dosage of boxwood depends on the person’s health, age and other conditions. It can interact with over-the-counter or prescription medicine. Before adding it as a dietary supplement or dietary aid, people should speak with their doctor or pharmacist.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wise-geek.com/what-is-boxwood.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.