Though it has been used for centuries, its fame really began in the 1960s. Dr. Theodore Meyer learned about the use of pau d'arco (pronounced powdy arco) by natives of the tropical rain forest of the Amazon. They had used the inner bark of this hardwood tree as a medicine. Dr. Meyer followed their lead and claimed he successfully cured five advanced cases of leukemia with it.
Now called pau d'arco (pow-DAR-co), which is Portuguese for "bow stick," the term refers to various trees of the Tabebuia family that grow in the mountains of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru.
In the 1950s, Brazilian researchers confirmed that this ancient medicine is indeed anti-bacterial. Among more recent investigations:
First, the research isolated the chemical lapachol in pau d'arco that they felt cured the cancer. Since then Researchers have isolated over 20 active chemicals in pau d'arco. Some feel it is a combination of several or all these together that makes it effective. Second, it has been shown that the use of the whole herb does not create the side effects that extracted lapachol causes.
Pau d'arco has certain anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activity, including against herpes I and II. It may reduce viral replication, according to a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The herb is especially effective against Candida albicans, the fungus that causes vaginal yeast infections. Writing in the British Journal of Phytotherapy, Dutch herbalist Edward Oswald refers to the method of soaking a tampon in a strong pau d'arco tea while also taking the herb orally.
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.
Now called pau d'arco (pow-DAR-co), which is Portuguese for "bow stick," the term refers to various trees of the Tabebuia family that grow in the mountains of Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and Peru.
In the 1950s, Brazilian researchers confirmed that this ancient medicine is indeed anti-bacterial. Among more recent investigations:
First, the research isolated the chemical lapachol in pau d'arco that they felt cured the cancer. Since then Researchers have isolated over 20 active chemicals in pau d'arco. Some feel it is a combination of several or all these together that makes it effective. Second, it has been shown that the use of the whole herb does not create the side effects that extracted lapachol causes.
Pau d'arco has certain anti-inflammatory and anti-viral activity, including against herpes I and II. It may reduce viral replication, according to a report in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
The herb is especially effective against Candida albicans, the fungus that causes vaginal yeast infections. Writing in the British Journal of Phytotherapy, Dutch herbalist Edward Oswald refers to the method of soaking a tampon in a strong pau d'arco tea while also taking the herb orally.
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.
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