Overview:

Pau d'arco (Tabebuia avellanedae) is native to South America, where reportedly it has been used to treat a wide range of conditions, including pain, arthritis, inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis), fever, dysentery, boils and ulcers, and various cancers.

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.

The same is also true of some of the doses that might be needed to kill bacteria or viruses. If you decide to take pau d'arco, do so only under your doctor's supervision.

Plant Description:

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.

What's It Made Of?:

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.

Available Forms:

Pau d'arco is sold as tablets, dried bark tea, and tincture (which contains alcohol). The chemicals that give pau d'arco its medicinal effects dissolve poorly in water, so a tea is not recommended.

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.

How to Take It:

Pediatric

Pau d'arco should not be given to infants or children.

Adult

It is important to discuss the dose with your doctor, since large amounts of pau d'arco can be toxic.

• Capsules: 300 - 500 mg three times per day
• Tincture (1:5): 0.5 - 1 mL (about 1/8 - 1/4 tsp.) two or three times per day

Precautions:

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.

At recommended doses, side effects are uncommon but may include anemia, nausea, diarrhea, and dizziness.

Pregnant and nursing women should not take pau d'arco.

Possible Interactions:

Antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs (blood-thinners) — Pau d'arco may affect the blood's ability to clot, and could interfere with any blood-thinning drugs you are taking, including:

• Warfarin (Coumadin)
• Clopidogrel (Plavix)
• Aspirin

Alternative Names:

Ipe roxo; LaPacho; Tabebuia avellanedae; Taheboo tree