Pau d Arco Benefits
Pau d arco benefits and healing effects are produced by the compounds in the inner bark. If you haven't heard of pau d'arco, it is an evergreen tree grown in Central and South America. The botanic name for it is tabebuia and there are quite a number of species. The tree is also known as the trumpet tree, taheebo, lapacho and poui.
Before scientists and researchers started studying the tabebuia impetiginosa species, the bark was already used as a folk medicine by the natives of Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay for centuries. Some of its uses were in the treatment of arthritis, cancer, lupus, prostatitis and wounds and many other conditions and illness. It was also used as a blood cleanser.
In the 1960s, researchers confirmed that pau d'arco is an antineoplastic agent. An agent with antineoplastic properties is able to slow down, prevent or stop the growth of cancer cells and tumors. However, in 1974, the National Cancer Institute stopped further studies on the effect of naphthaquinones on cancer cells. The institute cited that high concentration of lapachol is required and it has the potential to produce side effects.
Pau d' arco contains more than 20 active chemicals. Two of the organic compounds are lapachol and beta lapachone or naphthaquinones. Naphthaquinones are able to produce analgesic, antiedematogenic, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antimicrobial, antinociceptive, anti-viral and diuretic effects.
Here are some of benefits and uses of pau d arco tea and taheebo extract.
Lapacho has the ability to increase oxygen levels in cells. What's good about this is that it also improves detoxification. Detoxification will help remove and destroy bacteria, fungi, parasites, toxins and viruses. When this happens, the body's immune system is also strengthened.
Pau d'arco extract is used in the treatment of vaginal and oral yeast infection or candidiasis. It helps inhibit the growth and multiplication of candida albicans.
Because of its antiviral properties, it may help prevent the common cold and flu or shorten the duration by treating the symptoms such as sore throat.
As an anti-inflammatory agent, poui is used as a remedy in the treatment of dysentery which is the inflammation of the colon. Furthermore, its anti microbial, antiparasitic and antiviral properties contribute to its effectiveness. This is because the probable causes of dysentery are bacterial or protozoan infection, viral infection or the manifestation of parasitic worms.
Another benefit of poui is it has the potential to treat strep throat. Strep throat is a bacterial throat infection which is caused by the Group A streptococcus bacteria.
Another use of the inner bark of lapacho is to treat the symptoms of malaria which include chills, high fever, excessive sweating and headaches. Malaria is caused by a parasite that is transmitted by mosquitoes.
Tabeebo is also used as a remedy for arthritis, asthma, boils, eczema and psoriasis.
Pau d arco is available whole, cut, dried and sifted, grounded powder and pau d arco tea. Pau d arco extract are available in capsules, liquid extract and tinctures.
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