Taxus brevifolia (also known as a Yew Tree) is an evergreen tree with flat, inch-long needles and red, berry-like fruits (instead of cones). Taxus brevifolia (Yew Tree) has been used by humans for thousands of years, both for its wood and its chemical properties. The wood of Taxus brevifolia (Yew Tree) is resistant to decay and is therefore good for many purposes. Yew Tree wood has been used to make fence posts, archery bows, musical instruments, snowshoe frames, canoe paddles, furniture, and many other items. In medicine, the bark of Taxus brevifolia (Yew Tree) has gained a lot of attention for its anticancer properties. In the late 1960’s, the taxol-a compound in the bark of Taxus brevifolia (Yew Tree) was found to be effective against a variety of cancerous tumors, particularly ovarian cancer. Taxol from the bark of Taxus brevifolia (Yew Tree) still shows promise in its ability to fight cancerous cells.

The Yew Tree contains the natural alkaloid "tamoxifen" which has demonstrated a high cytotoxic effect on prostatic cancer cells (Herbalgram, 16, p.15).