A thousand years ago, the Incas of Peru found the inner bark of the pink-flowered lapacho tree indispensable for treating fever, sore throat, dysentery, snakebite, bladder and yeast infections, and even cancer. They also used its wood to make bows for hunting.
Although preliminary lab tests show that a chemical in pau d'arco called lapachol can kill some viruses, bacteria, and fungi in test tubes, it isn't known whether it will have the same effects when taken by humans. So even though pau d'arco is sometimes used for conditions ranging from candidiasis (a yeast infection of the vaginal or oral areas), herpes simplex virus, and influenza to parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis and bacterial infections such as brucellosis, there is no evidence it works. Test tube studies to evaluate whether pau d'arco has any effect on cancer have shown mixed results; and even in studies where pau d'arco does reduce the number of cancer cells, the amounts used would be toxic to humans.
In spite of this negative report, pau d'arco has since been used successfully to treat such things as fevers, arthritis, infections, malaria, skin problems, cancers, and even complications of AIDS. Two reasons for the discrepancy between the research and reality are these.
A study at the University of Rio de Janeiro discovered that pau d'arco helps treat Staphylococcus aureus infections that resist antibiotics. Research at Seoul National University suggests that the herb is active against human intestinal bacteria, which cause food poisoning.
Most of the chemical research on pau d'arco has been done on the wood and not the inner bark. Pau d'arco contains chemical compounds called naphthoquinones such as lapachol that may have antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, as well as significant amounts of the antioxidant quercetin.
Pau d'arco is available in health food stores in capsules, tinctures, and as dried bark. The recommended dosage is one to two capsules or one to two droppers of tincture taken one to four times per day, depending on the condition and patient.
Most pau d'arco products are not standardized, so it is not possible to determine whether or not they contain an appropriate amount of these active substances. It is important to carefully read the label to make sure that the product actually contains Tabebuia avellanedae as an ingredient.
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a health care practitioner. Talk to your doctor to determine the proper dose of pau d'arco, because too much can be dangerous. Pregnant and nursing women should not take pau d'arco. - 32513
Although preliminary lab tests show that a chemical in pau d'arco called lapachol can kill some viruses, bacteria, and fungi in test tubes, it isn't known whether it will have the same effects when taken by humans. So even though pau d'arco is sometimes used for conditions ranging from candidiasis (a yeast infection of the vaginal or oral areas), herpes simplex virus, and influenza to parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis and bacterial infections such as brucellosis, there is no evidence it works. Test tube studies to evaluate whether pau d'arco has any effect on cancer have shown mixed results; and even in studies where pau d'arco does reduce the number of cancer cells, the amounts used would be toxic to humans.
In spite of this negative report, pau d'arco has since been used successfully to treat such things as fevers, arthritis, infections, malaria, skin problems, cancers, and even complications of AIDS. Two reasons for the discrepancy between the research and reality are these.
A study at the University of Rio de Janeiro discovered that pau d'arco helps treat Staphylococcus aureus infections that resist antibiotics. Research at Seoul National University suggests that the herb is active against human intestinal bacteria, which cause food poisoning.
Most of the chemical research on pau d'arco has been done on the wood and not the inner bark. Pau d'arco contains chemical compounds called naphthoquinones such as lapachol that may have antifungal, antiviral, and antibacterial properties, as well as significant amounts of the antioxidant quercetin.
Pau d'arco is available in health food stores in capsules, tinctures, and as dried bark. The recommended dosage is one to two capsules or one to two droppers of tincture taken one to four times per day, depending on the condition and patient.
Most pau d'arco products are not standardized, so it is not possible to determine whether or not they contain an appropriate amount of these active substances. It is important to carefully read the label to make sure that the product actually contains Tabebuia avellanedae as an ingredient.
The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a health care practitioner. Talk to your doctor to determine the proper dose of pau d'arco, because too much can be dangerous. Pregnant and nursing women should not take pau d'arco. - 32513
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