Pau d’Arco has been recognized for its medicinal benefits by indigenous peoples of the rainforests in South America for centuries. The pau d’arco is a large canopy tree that can grow over 30 meters tall and some species feature white, yellow, purple or pink flowers. The name is Portuguese in origin and is translated as bow stick. The wood of the tree is extremely hard and was used for making bows.
The pau d’arco bark is a good expectorant traditionally used to treat symptoms of the cold and flu, and other viruses. The active ingredients are lacpachol, beta-lapachone, and other flavonoids which have a range of therapeutic applications. The lapachol is an anti-fungal and can help with issues like candida fungi and parasites. The tree also has quinones, a family of compounds which are an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory.
Pau d’arco’s health benefits include:
- Anti-bacterial
- Anti-inflammatory
- Anti-fungal
- Laxative
- Detoxifying
You can find pau d’arco in many forms including tincture, capsule, powder, ointment and tea. Selenium, an element of pau d’arco, is a very important antioxidant and reduces inflammation. It is known to reduce the risk of cancer, helps with fertility, and boost the immune system. It is for this reason that Clair’s Teas of Joy blends pau d’arco with stinging nettle and echinacea to make their Immune Booster tea. This herbal blend strengthens the immune system, wards off infections, and deters inflammation. To learn more visit Clair’s Teas of Joy.
Reference:
- Park BS, Lee KG, Shibamoto T, Lee SE, Takeoka GR. (2003) Antioxidant activity and characterization of volatile constituents of Taheebo (Tabebuia impetiginosa Martius ex DC). J Agric Food Chem. 2003 Jan 1;51(1):295-300.
- Park BS, Lee HK, Lee SE, Piao XL, Takeoka GR, Wong RY, Ahn YJ, Kim JH. (2006) Antibacterial activity of Tabebuia impetiginosa Martius ex DC (Taheebo) against Helicobacter pylori. J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Apr 21;105(1-2):255-62.