Taxus chinensis vs Sweet Briar

Chinese yew species, major commercial source of 10-deacetylbaccatin for paclitaxel semi-synthesis, used in TCM.

Wild European rose whose hips are rich in vitamin C and whose fragrant leaves were used medicinally for digestive complaints, kidney conditions, and as an astringent tonic.

paclitaxel, 10-deacetylbaccatin III, taxol, taxine, baccatin

vitamin C, tannins, flavonoids, carotenoids

Traditional Chinese medicine for digestive complaints and as tonic, Commercial source of paclitaxel precursors in China

Vitamin C supplementation, Digestive astringent, Kidney tonic, Fragrant culinary herb

Paclitaxel precursor source, Anticancer research, TCM tonic in tiny doses

Antioxidant, Vitamin C source, Astringent, Anti-inflammatory

Pharmaceutical use only; raw plant toxic

Hips freely as food; 5-10g hip tea or jam daily

All conditions without pharmaceutical extraction, Pregnancy

No significant contraindications

Cardiac toxicity, Death from ingestion

Itching from hip hairs if seeds not removed