Pau d'arco

Pau d'arco is said to be useful against HPV, cancer, diabetes, rheumatism, and ulcers, as well as several other ailments.

      Pau d'arco:  Known as lapacho colorado in Argentina and Paraguay and as ipe roxo in Brazil, is a good example of the lure of the exotic. This South American native has been used medicinally by several indigenous groups.  There are several species of Tabebuia, and most appear to be broad-leaved evergreen trees with very hard wood that resists decay. It may be difficult to determine precisely which species is being sold as pau d'arco tea.  Pau d'arco has a reputation for having been used by the Incas, although it is not native to the high Andes.

It is said to be useful against cancer, diabetes, rheumatism, and ulcers, as well as several other ailments.

Antiviral herbs such as Pau d'arco can be used to treat HPV (Human Papillomavirus):

While there are many antiviral herbs that can be taken to both prevent and eliminate HPV, herbs that have been traditionally used specifically for HPV are: Garlic (Allium sativum), Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis), Thuja (Thuja occidentalis), Hyssop (Hyssopus officinalis), and Pau d’ Arco (Tabebuia impetiginosa).

Of these the antiviral herb Pau d’ Arco, also known as Lapacho, and Taheebo, has actually been proven to both prevent and cure HPV with additional benefits -- it is also antibacterial, anticancerous, anticandida, antifungal, and antiparastic.

*Pau d’ Arco tea or tincture can be used daily as a preventative whenever the chances for contracting HPV infections are high. Pau d’ Arco taken as a boiled tea two or three times per day if infected with HPV until the virus clears. Add 1 heaping teaspoonful of the bark to 8 ounces of water to make one cup of the tea.

Readers of The People's Pharmacy Guide to Home and Herbal Remedies have reported success in using it topically as a soak to cure fungus-ridden toenails.  Extracts have been used topically to treat Candida yeast infections.  Overall, however, the research on pau d'arco does not offer strong support for most of the medicinal claims made for it.

The part of the tree used is the inner bark, and the preparation made from it is sometimes termed taheebo. Pau d'arco, or taheebo, contains a number of quinone compounds, including the naphthoquinone lapachol and the anthraquinone tabebuin. These and related compounds are assumed to be the active ingredients.  La pachol has antibacterial activity, and a related compound fights off fungus and yeast.  Lapachol has demonstrated activity against malaria, a property that would certainly be useful for people in the areas where Tabebuia species grow wild.

Research in the 1950s and 1960s indicated that taheebo extract and lapachol could slow the growth of certain tumors. The National Cancer Institute subsequently tested lapachol for anticancer activity in humans, with disappointing results.  Some practitioners report anecdotes of marvelous cancer cures, but the Brazilian Cancer Society disavows its use.  In human trials, it was difficult to attain therapeutically active levels of lapachol with oral administration, and when levels did get high enough, most people suffered serious adverse effects such as nausea and vomiting. 

Taheebo extract has anti-inflammatory activity, at least in rats. Researchers have also found that it helps animals resist ulcers.  In laboratory studies on human blood cells, lapachol had immunosuppressant effects at higher doses and immunostimulant activity at low doses.

Use Pau d’ Arco extract and follow directs given by manufacturer. Pau d’ Arco as a tea or as a tincture taken a few times a week will promote a healthy immune system which in turn helps prevent the onset of viral infections.

Special Precautions:  No serious side-effects have been reported.
Do not use Pau d’ Arco if you are pregnant. If presently taking any medications check herb/pharmaceutical interactions before using this or any herb.

Pregnant women should not take taheebo internally because there is no evidence of its safety, although it can provoke adverse reactions.  Pau d'arco should be discontinued before surgery because of the danger of excessive bleeding.

Search our site, or the web...

	Web HerbsAndNaturalRemedies.com