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Common Name
Pau D’arco, Lapacho
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Botanical Name
Handroanthus spp.
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Part Used
Bark
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Clinical Summary
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Monograph
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Alcohol
45%
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Dose
10 to 20mL weekly
Pau d'arco tree bark has a long tradition of use as an antifungal herb in South American countries. It is thus highly regarded in Western naturopathic medicine for the management of fungal infections such as Candida including Candida albicans (thrush). It has been used for inflammatory diseases, chronic degenerative diseases, supportive treatment for cancer, tumours, cysts, rheumatic diseases and skin problems (especially eczema, herpes and scabies).
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Traditional Use
Traditionally pau d’arco was used by native South Americans as an anti-inflammatory cure-all to treat various conditions including fever, malaria, bacterial and fungal infections, and skin diseases.
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Actions
Antitumour, antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic, anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, antiplatelet; analgesic; antiproliferative, anti-depressant, antiobesity.
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Indications
• Adjunct for cancer
• Inflammatory diseases including lupus, psoriasis, cardiovascular disease
• Infections, candidiasis, trichomonas vaginalis, herpes simplex virus, influenza, helicobacter pylori
• Parasitic diseases such as schistosomiasis
• Cervicitis and cervico-vaginitis
• Oedema -
Energetics
Cold, astringent, bitter
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Use in Pregnancy
Contraindicated.
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Contraindications & Cautions
Caution should be used in patients with blood disorders, those who are having surgery, taking anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications or supplements, due theoretically to an increased risk of bleeding. Avoid with known allergy/hypersensitivity to pau d'arco, its constituents, or members of the Bignoniaceae family.
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Drug Interactions
Avoid in those who are taking anticoagulant, or antiplatelet medications or supplements, as pau d'arco may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding.
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Dietary Information
Vegan friendly. Gluten and dairy free
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Substitutes
Paw Paw, Green Tea, Graviola, Pomegranate