Stillingia

DisclaimerThis Web site — Information About Herbs, Botanicals and Other Products — is for general health information only. This Web site is not to be used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment of any health condition or problem. Users of this Web site should not rely on information provided on this Web site for their own health problems. Any questions regarding your own health should be addressed to your own physician or other healthcare provider.Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center makes no warranties nor express or implied representations whatsoever regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, comparative or controversial nature, or usefulness of any information contained or referenced on this Web site. Memorial Sloan Kettering does not assume any risk whatsoever for your use of this website or the information contained herein. Health-related information changes frequently and therefore information contained on this Web site may be outdated, incomplete or incorrect. Statements made about products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Use of this Web site does not create an expressed or implied physician-patient relationship.Memorial Sloan Kettering does not record specific website user information and does not contact users of this website. You are hereby advised to consult with a physician or other professional health-care provider prior to making any decisions, or undertaking any actions or not undertaking any actions related to any health care problem or issue you might have at any time, now or in the future. In using this website you agree that neither Memorial Sloan Kettering nor any other party is or will be liable or otherwise responsible for any decision made or any action taken or any action not taken due to your use of any information presented at this website.

Common Names

Stillingia treculeana
Queen's root
Queen's delight
Yaw root

For Patients & Caregivers

Tell your healthcare providers about any dietary supplements you’re taking, such as herbs, vitamins, minerals, and natural or home remedies. This will help them manage your care and keep you safe.

How It Works

There is no evidence to support use of Stillingia to treat cancer, infections, or other medical conditions.

Stillingia is a root extract. It is known to contain chemicals called diterpene esters, toxic irritants that can cause swelling and inflammation of the skin. One laboratory experiment suggested that diterpene esters can halt the growth of cancer cells, but stillingia has not been studied.

Stillingia root is one of the ingredients in Hoxsey Herbal Therapy, which is promoted as an alternative cancer treatment.

Purported Uses

Evidence is lacking to support these claims:

To treat bronchitis and relieve chest congestion
To treat cancer as part of the Hoxsey Herbal Therapy
To relieve constipation
To treat hemorrhoids
To treat laryngitis
To treat skin abscesses
To treat muscle spasms
To treat syphilis

Side Effects

Dizziness
Burning sensation on mucous membranes
Diarrhea
Nausea
Vomiting
Muscle aches
Skin itching and/or eruptions
Cough
Fatigue
Sweating

For Healthcare Professionals

Scientific Name

Stillingia sylvatica

Clinical Summary

Stillingia is an herb native to the southern United States. Its root has been used in traditional medicine to treat syphilis, bronchitis, constipation, hemorrhoids, and skin conditions. There are no clinical data to support the use of this herb for any of the proposed claims.

Stillingia contains diterpene esters that cause mucosal irritation and skin eruptions. Other reported toxicities include vertigo, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle ache, pruritus, cough, fatigue, and sweating ⁽¹⁾.

Stillingia is an ingredient in Hoxsey Herbal Therapy, an alternative cancer treatment.

Purported Uses

Bronchitis
Cancer treatment
Chest congestion
Constipation
Hemorrhoids
Laryngitis
Skin abscesses
Spasms
Syphilis

Mechanism of Action

Stillingia contains diterpene esters, toxic irritants that can cause swelling and inflammation of the skin ⁽¹⁾. In vitro studies have shown that diterpene esters have antitumor activity ⁽²⁾, but stillingia has not been evaluated.

Adverse Reactions

Toxicity: Vertigo, burning sensation on mucous membranes, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, muscle ache, pruritus, skin eruptions, cough, fatigue, sweating ⁽¹⁾.

References

Newall C, et al. Herbal Medicines: A Guide for Health-Care Professionals, 1st ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press; 1996.
Szallasi Z, et al. Nonpromoting 12-deoxyphorbol 13-esters inhibit phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate induced tumor promotion in CD-1 mouse skin. Cancer Res 1993;53:2507-12.

Email your questions and comments to aboutherbs@mskcc.org.

Last Updated

Friday, January 24, 2020