Pau d'arco, also known as lapacho or taheebo, is an herbal remedy made from the inner bark of trees native to Central and South America. Traditionally, the plant has many medicinal uses, but the safety and efficacy of pau d'arco has not been established through scientific studies for the prevention or treatment of any diseases. Side effects of the herb may include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Chemicals in taheebo may have anti-cancer properties, but doses high enough to be effective are considered toxic. Blood-thinning effects of pau d'arco may interfere with some medications.
Reduce Inflammation
South Korean researcher S.E. Byeon and colleagues swabbed irritating substances on the ears of laboratory mice, causing swelling and inflammation. The sore ears were treated with taheebo daily for one week. The herb was completely effective on mouse ears exposed to an irritant that stimulated the production of prostaglandins, hormone-like substances that create swelling and pain in arthritis. Taheebo was not effective in mice exposed to another irritant. The study, published in the September 2008 Journal of Ethnopharmacology, suggests pau d'arco extract may be useful as a therapeutic remedy for some inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and hardening of the arteries.
Digestive Health
Infection with a bacteria, Helicobacter pylori, may cause stomach ulcers. Treatment with antibiotic medications is usually effective. Researcher B.S. Park and colleagues from Seoul National University in Korea tested active compounds in taheebo against H. pylori and compared the results to the use of three antibiotics: amoxicillin, tetracycline and metronidazole. The study, published in the April 2006 Journal of Ethnopharmacology, found the herb's ingredients had strong antibacterial activity that was similar to amoxicillin and tetracycline. Metronidazole was the weakest compound tested. The study concluded that taheebo might be a potential treatment for this type of infection.
Superbug Resistance
Drug-resistant staphylococcus aureus is a superbug that developed from the overuse of antibiotics, making infection more difficult and expensive to treat. Brazilian researcher T.B. Machado and colleagues from the University of Rio De Janeiro tested extracts from pau d'arco on both drug-resistant and ordinary staphylococcus bacteria. Two compounds isolated from the herb were active against all germ types. Man-made versions of the compounds, however, did not work as well as the naturally occurring extracts. Study results, published in the March 2003 International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents, indicate the potential of natural products in developing new strategies to treat MRSA.
Fungus Fighter
A single-celled fungus, candida is normally present in the vagina and the intestines. Problems occur when candida overgrowth causes symptoms of infection. Nutritionist Phyllis Balch, author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing," writes that pau d'arco tea is an effective anti-fungal agent. Balch cautions the herb should be boiled for at least five minutes to release its active ingredients.
References
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology: In Vitro and In Vivo Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Taheebo, a Water Extract From the Inner Bark of Tabebuia Avellanedae
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology: Antibacterial Activity of Tabebuia Impetiginosa Martius ex DC (Taheebo) Against Helicobacter Pylori
- International Journal of Antimicrobial Agents: In Vitro Activity of Brazilian Medicinal Plants, Naturally Occurring Naphthoquinones and Their Analogues, Against Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis Balch, CNC; 2004
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