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Oriental Arborvitae

Q: Is Oriental Arborvitae safe for long-term use?

No, long-term use of Oriental Arborvitae is not recommended due to the presence of thujone, a neurotoxic compound, which can lead to adverse effects with prolonged exposure.

Q: Does it help with arthritis pain?

Yes, there is evidence from one randomized controlled trial suggesting that an oil extract of Biota orientalis can provide symptomatic relief for knee osteoarthritis pain and improve function.

Q: Can it promote hair growth?

While some animal studies and traditional formulations include Biota orientalis for hair loss, there is currently insufficient high-quality clinical evidence from human trials to confirm its efficacy for promoting hair growth.

Q: Are there side effects?

Yes, especially at high doses or with prolonged use, side effects can include neurological symptoms such as restlessness, dizziness, tremors, and seizures due to its thujone content.

Also known as: Platycladus orientalis, Oriental Arborvitae, Chinese Arborvitae, Chinese Thuja, Biota orientalis

Overview

Biota orientalis, also known as Oriental Arborvitae, is an evergreen conifer native to East Asia, traditionally utilized in Chinese medicine. Supplements are typically derived from extracts of its leaves, twigs, or seeds, including specialized oil extracts like Epiitalis®. Historically, it has been employed for conditions such as joint pain, arthritis, hair loss, anxiety, and various inflammatory or neurological issues. While research is ongoing, with some recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) available, comprehensive systematic reviews and meta-analyses are currently limited. The quality of evidence varies, but there is at least one well-conducted RCT supporting its use for osteoarthritis symptoms.

Benefits

The most robust evidence for Biota orientalis comes from a 56-day randomized placebo-controlled trial (n≥30 per group) which demonstrated that an oil extract (Epiitalis®) significantly reduced knee pain and improved function and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). This study reported statistically significant improvements (p < 0.05) in pain measured by a 100-point Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and modified WOMAC scale, alongside a good safety profile. For anxiety and neurological effects, network pharmacology studies suggest potential interactions with multiple targets, but these are preclinical and computational, lacking direct clinical validation. Regarding androgenetic alopecia (hair loss), traditional Chinese Medicine formulations containing Biota orientalis have been studied in animal models, but high-quality human RCTs are absent. Other purported benefits, such as anti-inflammatory or antimicrobial properties, currently lack strong clinical evidence.

How it works

Biota orientalis contains active compounds such as terpenoids, including thujone, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol. Its proposed mechanisms of action involve anti-inflammatory effects and modulation of immune responses. For neurological conditions like anxiety and pain, it is thought to interact with specific neurological pathways. Network pharmacology analysis has identified multiple molecular targets, including those within the arachidonic acid pathways, suggesting a potential multi-target therapeutic approach. However, detailed bioavailability and pharmacokinetic data for these compounds are currently limited.

Side effects

Biota orientalis is considered possibly safe when taken orally in small amounts for short durations, such as traditional tea preparations of 6-15 grams of leafy twig. However, it contains thujone, a neurotoxic compound. High doses or prolonged oral use are considered possibly unsafe due to the risk of thujone toxicity, which can manifest as restlessness, dizziness, vomiting, tremors, seizures, kidney damage, and mental changes. The safety of topical application is not well established. It is contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to potential toxicity to the fetus or infant. While no specific drug interactions are well-documented, caution is advised due to the thujone content and its potential neurological effects.

Dosage

Traditional use of Biota orientalis involves preparing a tea from 6-15 grams of leafy twig. In a clinical trial for knee osteoarthritis, a proprietary oil extract (Epiitalis®) demonstrated efficacy over a 56-day period, though specific dosing details for this commercial product are not publicly available. There is no established maximum safe dose for Biota orientalis, and caution is strongly advised due to the potential for thujone toxicity, especially with higher doses or prolonged use. No specific cofactors or absorption enhancers have been identified to improve its efficacy or safety profile.

FAQs

Is Oriental Arborvitae safe for long-term use?

No, long-term use of Oriental Arborvitae is not recommended due to the presence of thujone, a neurotoxic compound, which can lead to adverse effects with prolonged exposure.

Does it help with arthritis pain?

Yes, there is evidence from one randomized controlled trial suggesting that an oil extract of Biota orientalis can provide symptomatic relief for knee osteoarthritis pain and improve function.

Can it promote hair growth?

While some animal studies and traditional formulations include Biota orientalis for hair loss, there is currently insufficient high-quality clinical evidence from human trials to confirm its efficacy for promoting hair growth.

Are there side effects?

Yes, especially at high doses or with prolonged use, side effects can include neurological symptoms such as restlessness, dizziness, tremors, and seizures due to its thujone content.

Research Sources

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9216293/ – This double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized trial over 56 days investigated an oil extract of Biota orientalis for knee osteoarthritis. It found significant reductions in knee pain (VAS scale) and improved function (mWOMAC) with a good safety profile, supporting its short-term use for symptom relief.
https://apm.amegroups.org/article/view/65991/html – This network pharmacology study used computational analysis to identify active compounds and potential molecular targets of Biota orientalis related to anxiety disorders. It suggests multi-target mechanisms but lacks clinical validation, highlighting the need for further in vivo research.
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9578824/ – This study, conducted in a rodent model, explored the effects of traditional Chinese medicine formulations containing Biota orientalis on androgenetic alopecia. While it showed some effects on seborrheic alopecia, there is no corresponding high-quality human clinical trial evidence to support these findings.
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-105/oriental-arborvitae – This source provides general information on Oriental Arborvitae, including its traditional uses and safety concerns. It highlights the presence of thujone and the potential for toxicity with high doses or prolonged use, categorizing it as possibly unsafe under certain conditions.
https://www.rxlist.com/supplements/oriental_arborvitae.htm – This reference offers an overview of Oriental Arborvitae, detailing its common names, traditional applications, and safety profile. It emphasizes the risks associated with thujone content, advising caution and noting potential side effects like seizures and kidney damage at high doses.