View Only Pau D'Arco in Health -> Herbs -> P -> Pau D'Arco Bark - Health - Pau D'Arco Tea (Loose); Pau D'Arco Tea (Loose); Pau D'Arco Tea; Pau D'Arco Tea; Pau D'Arco - Liquid Extract / Tincture (1:5) - Alcohol-Free; Pau D'Arco - Liquid Extract / Tincture (1:5) - Strawberry Flavored Alcohol-Free; and more! Results


Sign In	\|			Cart	\|	Wish List	\|	Help

Checkout Now »


	0 Items

100% Safe and Private!

Search

for:

1-800-760-8783

View only "Pau D'Arco" in Health Herbs P Pau D'Arco Bark

1 2 Next

	Health


		Vitamins

		Herbs

		Homeopathic

		Oils and Essences

		Personal Care

		Home Health

		Household

		Food

		Tea





	Happy Customers

	Folic Acid order I am so satisfied with my last 3 orders from Zooscape that I don't feel the need to comparison shop ... [continues ...] -- Stan



	Folic Acid - Women's Natural Health - 1 mg



	This product is of outstanding performance to improve the performance of anyone's liver. I wish to t... [continues ...] -- MARIO



	Milk Thistle Extract - 250 mg




Can we help?



"Give us a call if you have any questions!"

1-800-760-8783

	Pau D'Arco
	Pau d'arco's history and uses date back to early South American native Indians with scientific documentations starting in the 1800's. The active constituent, lapachol, was isolated in 1884 and synthesized in 1927, so pau d'arco is not a recent discovery. Research has shown that a naphthoquinone identified as lapachol, has anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties. This has led to the use of pau d'arco in the treatment of infectious and viral conditions such as candida, thrush, and the herpes simplex virus. Cancer research in the `60s and `70s showed that pau d'arco may prevent, delay, or treat cancer; but the oral doses needed to reach useful levels in the blood may cause severe side effects according to researchers. Proponents of the use of pau d'arco believe that the inner bark in its entirety must be evaluated - not simply one isolated component. There may indeed be constituents that modify the effect of the toxic active ingredient on living organisms. At present, pau d'arco remains controversial and many consider research findings to be inconsistent and inconclusive. It is widely agreed that further properly controlled studies are required to determine any potential efficacy and toxicity on human beings taking dried extracts of this exotic and mysterious herb.

	Browse Sections:
	Description Traditional Internal Uses Traditional Topical Uses Indications Actions Constituents / Nutrients Pharmacological Summary		Scientific Research / Actions Research Precautions / Contraindications Interaction with Medications Possible Side Effects Dosage References

	Common Name
	Pau D'Arco
	Botanical Latin Name / Classification
	Tabebuia impetiginosa
	Parts Used
	Inner bark
	Description
	Pau d'arco, also known as lapacho, is an evergreen tree, native to the rain forests and mountains of Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil. This impressive tree can grow to 125 feet and is the proud bearer of beautiful trumpet like flowers, but it is the inner bark which has been used therapeutically for thousands of years. Its extremely hard wood makes it resistant to disease and decay. In recent years, however, there has been an increasing demand for pau d'arco and, as a result, the trees are in danger of becoming extinct. Browse Sections \| View Pau D'Arco products
	Traditional Internal Uses
	To treat a host of ills ranging from fungal infections to the common cold, traditional healers in South and Central America have long brewed a tea made from the inner bark of a native evergreen tree of the Tabebuia species. They reportedly still use pau d'arco bark to treat cancer, lupus, infectious diseases, wounds, and many other health conditions.1 Caribbean folk healers use the leaf of this tree in addition to the bark for the treatment of backache, toothache, sexually transmitted diseases, and as an aphrodisiac. This healing brew, variously referred to as pau d'arco or Taheebo, is readily available in North American health-food stores and sold as a "cure" for cancer and numerous other ills (including diabetes, warts, and vaginal yeast infections). Whether pau d'arco actually works for any of these conditions is unclear and the subject of ongoing confusion and controversy. Today, the majority of practicing herbalists cite both a lack of proven effectiveness and the toxicity that's associated with high doses as reasons for recommending against taking pau d'arco to treat cancer, although some consider it useful to take as an immune booster while fighting the disease. Pau d'arco has also been found to be useful for a number of other disorders. Browse Sections \| View Pau D'Arco products
	Traditional Topical Uses
	Pau d'arco has been used for treating vaginal yeast infections. Anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal actions in pau d'arco appear to be effective in restoring the vagina to a normal state. Herbalists recommend a pau d'arco tea douche for this purpose. It is also used to eliminate warts. Pau d'arco applied directly to warts allows the antiviral compounds in the bark to get to work. Once diluted, pau d'arco is even safe to use on genital warts. However, be sure to see a doctor if you develop a genital wart; such warts are not only transmitted sexually (and partners should be protected), but can cause serious complications in a woman's reproductive organs. Browse Sections \| View Pau D'Arco products
	Indications
	Primary Indications: Yeast Infection (Candida Albicans), Vaginal Infection / Discharge (Vaginitis), Thrush, Herpes (Genital), Fungal Infections, Macular Degeneration (AMD), Athlete's Foot, Skin Disorders, Warts Secondary Indications: Prostatitis - Prostate Inflammation, Arthritis, Rheumatism, Gastrointestinal Disorders, Dysentery, Flu / Influenza, Parasites / Parasitic Infections, Worms, Ringworms, Tapeworms, Pinworms, Malaria, Immunity / Immune Disorders Other Indications: HIV / AIDS Support, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), Bronchitis, Lupus, Diabetes (Type I / Type II), Food Allergies / Sensitivities, Leprosy, Syphilis, Cancer / Cancer Prevention, Snake Bites, Back Pain, Tooth Decay (Cavities / Caries), Sexual Dysfunction Browse Sections \| View Pau D'Arco products
	Actions
	Anti-Infectious, Anti-Inflammatory, Antibacterial, Anticancer / Antitumor, Antifungal, Antioxidant, Antiparasitic, Antipsoriatic, Antiviral, Diuretic, Immunoactive / Immunomodulatory / Immunostimulative Browse Sections \| View Pau D'Arco products
	Constituents / Nutrients
	Lapachol and beta-lapachone (known collectively as naphthaquinones) are two primary active compounds in pau d'arco. According to laboratory tests, both have anti-fungal properties as potent as ketoconazole, a common antifungal drug.2 However, amounts of these constituents needed to exert an antifungal effect may be toxic to humans. Although these compounds also have anticancer properties according to test tube studies, the effective amount for this effect may also be toxic.3 4 Therefore, pau d'arco cannot currently be recommended as a treatment for cancer. Browse Sections \| View Pau D'Arco products
	Pharmacological Summary
	Due to the lack of clinical research, it is difficult to make any recommendations with certainty regarding the medicinal properties and uses of this interesting plant. Promising laboratory test results on animals led to trials on humans in the 1970s, however side effects of lapachol in test patients were deemed too severe. Scientific evidence does point to definite anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties of pau d'arco. However, some believe that is uncertain whether or not the potentially serious side effects caused by dose levels necessary to produce medical effects make oral pau d'arco too risky to recommend for use in any medical condition. Skeptics point to the inconsistent results of the isolated active ingredient, lapachol, in laboratory studies. Advocates of the use of pau d'arco argue that the whole bark produces different effects, due to the combined action of dozens of chemicals that cannot be expected from a single compound. Consequently, any definitive statements regarding the efficacy or toxicity of pau d'arco supplements on humans cannot be made at present. Browse Sections \| View Pau D'Arco products
	Scientific Research and Pharmacologicial Actions
	While many health claims for pau d'arco have not been substantiated--including the far-reaching assertion that it can "cure" various forms of cancer--there are some positive findings. During the 1970s the National Cancer Institute at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) actually tested pau d'arco in human studies after finding that it shrank cancerous malignancies in animals. Researchers discovered that while large doses of one of the herb's key ingredients (lapachol) could destroy cancer cells, the side effects produced in the patients (blood-clotting abnormalities, anemia, nausea) were too severe. Further studies were abandoned. Researchers have detected in the inner bark of the Tabebuia trees a handful of powerful infection-fighting compounds called naphthoquinones. One of these substances (lapachol) seems to be particularly potent. Naphthoquinones appear to help kill certain disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and fungi, partially justifying the name given to this herbal remedy ("tajy," meaning to have strength and vigor) by the Guarani and Tupi tribes in South America. In addition, laboratory studies have demonstrated that pau d'arco has anti-fungal properities on par with a common anti-fungal prescription drug (ketoconazole). This action likely explains its effectiveness for vaginal infections (caused by the yeast Candida), as well as for fighting the fungi responsible for athlete's foot, jock itch, and other common fungal skin infections. (Commercially available products are available for this purpose.) Note: It is important to consider that the aforementioned studies involved isolated lapachol - not the collective compounds of pau d'arco. It may be that a group of compounds, unique to pau d'arco, enhance efficacy and mitigate toxicity or vice versa. Until further testing occurs, studies that isolate lapachol alone must be viewed with this consideration in mind. Browse Sections \| View Pau D'Arco products
	Research
	"My Experience With Pau D'Arco and Protozoans" Browse Sections \| View Pau D'Arco products
	Precautions / Contraindications
	Some American studies have shown pau d'arco to cause nausea and diarrhea in very high doses. It has also been noted that when using this herb initially, some may experience slight nausea which is usually associated with the detoxification process, but this is a positive sign. Because pau d'arco may decrease the blood's ability to clot, it should not be used by individuals who have bleeding disorders such as hemophilia. The American FDA (Food and Drugs Administration) tested pau d'arco for toxicity in 1981 and passed it. Browse Sections \| View Pau D'Arco products
	Interaction with Medications
	Prescription Drugs In studies and case reports, pau d'arco has been shown to increase the time blood needs to clot. When it is taken with antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs, the effect of the drug may be increased, resulting in uncontrolled bleeding. Antiplatelets include Plavix and Ticlid Anticoagulants include heparin and warfarin Non-Prescription Drugs Orally, pau d'arco may decrease the ability of blood to clot after an injury. Aspirin can also delay clotting, so pau d'arco should not be taken orally at the same time as aspirin. Herbal Products Theoretically, if pau d'arco is used with other herbs that affect blood clotting, bleeding may occur. Some of the most common herbal products that might inhibit blood clotting are: Danshen Devil's Claw Eleuthero Garlic Ginger (in high amounts) Ginkgo Horse Chestnut Panax Ginseng Papain Red Clover Saw Palmetto Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. One case report exists of a 28-year-old man who died of liver failure after taking unspecified amounts of pau d'arco, scullcap, and zinc.9 It appears likely that this may have been a case of adulteration of scullcap with germander.10 Browse Sections \| View Pau D'Arco products
	Possible Side Effects
	High amounts (several grams daily over several days) of lapachol can cause uncontrolled bleeding, nausea, and vomiting.7 Use of the whole bark is typically safer than isolated lapachol-side effects have included nausea and gastrointestinal upset.8 Pregnant or breast-feeding women should avoid use of pau d'arco. Browse Sections \| View Pau D'Arco products
	Dosage
	A traditional recommendation is 2-3 teaspoons (10-15 grams) of the inner bark simmered in a pint (500 mL) of water for fifteen minutes three times per day.5 However, the naphthaquinones believed to give pau d'arco its major effects are very poorly extracted in water, so teas are not usually recommended in modern herbal medicine.6 Capsules or tablets providing 400-600 mg of powdered bark can be taken three times per day. A tincture, 1/8-1/4 teaspoon (0.5-1 ml) three times per day, can also be used. Browse Sections \| View Pau D'Arco products
	References
	1. Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1985, 470-1. 2. Guiraud P, Steiman R, Campos-Takaki GM, et al. Comparison of antibacterial and antifungal activities of lapachol and beta-lapachone. Planta Med 1994;60:373-4. 3. Tyler VE. Herbs of Choice: The Therapeutic Use of Phytomedicinals. Binghamton, NY: Pharmaceutical Products Press, 1994, 180. 4. Oswald EH. Lapacho. Br J Phytother 1993/4;3:112-7. 5. Foster S. Herbs for Your Health. Loveland, CO: Interweave Press, 1996, 70-1. 6. Awang DVC, Dawson BA, Ethier JC, et al. Naphthoquinone constituents of commercial lapacho/pau d'arco/taheebo products. J Herbs Spices Med Plants 1994;2:27-43. 7. Duke JA. CRC Handbook of Medicinal Herbs. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1985, 470-1. 8. Oswald EH. Lapacho. Br J Phytother 1993/4;3:112-7. 9. Hullar TE, Sapers BL, Ridker PM, et al. Herbal toxicity and fatal hepatic failure [letter]. Am J Med 1999;106:267-8. 10. Brown D. A case of fatal liver failure associated with herbal products. Healthnotes Rev Complement Integrative Med 1999;6:176-7. Our thanks to the following information resources: WholehealthMD.com, Vitacost.com, UMM.edu, and DrugDigest.org. Browse Sections \| View Pau D'Arco products