Tree Of Heaven

• Overview
• Uses
• Side Effects
• Precautions
• Dosing

Tree of heaven is a plant. The dried bark from the trunk and root are used for medicine. Until recently, tree of heaven was used only in folk medicine. But now, it is being investigated as a potential drug.

Tree of heaven is used for diarrhea, asthma, cramps, epilepsy, fast heart rate, gonorrhea, malaria, and tapeworms. It has also been used as a bitter and a tonic.

Some women use tree of heaven for vaginal infections and menstrual pain.

In foods, the young leaves of the tree of heaven are eaten.

In manufacturing, tree of heaven is used as insecticide.

How does it work?

Some researchers think that chemicals in the bark of tree of heaven may have drying effects, decrease fever, and decrease spasms. Other chemicals found in tree of heaven might kill worms and parasites and have some effects against cancer cells.

Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...

• Diarrhea.
• Menstrual pain.
• Asthma.
• Cramps.
• Epilepsy.
• Fast heart rate.
• Gonorrhea.
• Malaria.
• Tapeworms.
• Use as a tonic.
• Other conditions.

Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).

It is not known if tree of heaven is safe. But when taken in large amounts, tree of heaven bark can cause queasiness, dizziness, headache, limb tingling, and diarrhea.

In research, some animals died after being given tree of heaven.

The appropriate dose of tree of heaven depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for tree of heaven. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.