Also known as: Chinwood, common yew, Pacific yew, taxus.
Potential uses: The drug Taxol (chemical name: paclitaxel) is made from the bark of Pacific yew trees. The drug Taxotere (chemical name: docetaxel) is made from the needles of European yew trees. Taxol and Taxotere are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat breast and other cancers. Yew should not be taken as a supplement.
Usual dose: There is no typical dose.
Are there any risks? Taking yew orally is poisonous.
What does the research say? When administered by a doctor, Taxol and Taxotere are effective cancer treatments. Yew should never be taken any other way.