Health Information Blog

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.

The pau d’arco tree is an evergreen tree that grows in the warm parts of Central and South America. It is a broad-leaf evergreen that grows to a height of 125 feet and has pink to violet-colored flowers. Its extremely hard wood makes it resistant to disease and decay. The inner bark of the tree is used medicinally. In recent years there has been an increasing demand for pau d’arco and, as a result, the trees are endangered.

Pau d’arco has effectively treated malaria, yeast infections, tuberculosis, strep, and dysentery. Pau d’ arco in small dosages increases immune system activity and in large doses suppresses some immune responses such as inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory work have given pau d’arco promise as a treatment for arthritis, allergies, ulcers, skin problems, and other similar conditions. Add to that list diabetes, flu, lupus, parasites, and skin diseases, and it is easy to see why it was once toted as a ‘wonder drug.’

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.

Dosage In tablets or capsules, 1 to 4 grams per day in divided doses–or 1 to 2 teaspoons of tincture three times a day. Consuming 1.5 grams per day or more may cause dizziness and GI upset, so consult your herbalist. Avoid pau d’arco if you’re taking anticoagulants or having surgery, or if you are pregnant or nursing.

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