Pau D'arco
Name
Pau D'arco, Trumpet tree, Purple Lapacho, Lapacho tree
Latin Name
Tabebuia impetiginosa
Origin
Pau d'arco is a huge canopy tree native to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical parts of South and Latin America
Cultivated / Parts Used
Phloem cells from the inner lining of the tree just below the bark have known medical value.
Phloem carries nutrients made by the leaves to other parts of the tree and is, with the cambium layer (where all the new cells are produced) the "life" of the tree.
History of Use
The native Indians of Brazil, northern Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and other South American countries have used Lapacho for medicinal purposes for thousands of years; there are indications that its use may actually ante-date the Incas.
Pau D'arco was used by the ancient Aztecs and the Incas as one of their major medicinal herbs and is still used by shaman in Brazil. The Guarani and Tupi Indians call the tree ‘tajy’, which means "to have strength and vigour" and use the bark to treat many different conditions. In the high Andes, the Callawaya, the Quechua, Aymara and other tribes used Lapacho ("Taheebo" to them) for many complaints. Brazilians call Pau D'arco the “divine tree.”
The use of Lapacho may not be limited to tropical countries. A Yugoslavian scientist, Voislav Todorovic, claims that he has found evidence that the plant was used by the Vikings and the Russians. He also claims that a Russian chemist (in the late 1800's) manufactured toothpaste that contained Lapacho that was supposed to have been extremely effective in preventing tooth decay.
In recent years there has been significant research into Pau D'arco use as an anti-cancer and anti-AIDS treatment.
Properties
Anti-allergenic, anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, cooling, analgesic, anti-cancerous, anti-candidal, anti-parasitic, anti-tumorous, anti-ulcerous, anticoagulant, anti-dysenteric, anti-rheumatic, cardio-tonic, (tones, balances, strengthens the heart), decongestant, diuretic, fungicide, hepatonic (tones, balances, strengthens the liver), laxative, powerful immune system stimulant, sedative.
Nutritional Breakdown
The plant contains a large amount of chemicals known as quinoids, and a small quantity of benzenoids and flavonoids. The quinoids include anthraquinones (A-Factors), furanonaphthoquinones, lapachones, and naphthoquinones (N-Factors) have shown the most documented biological activity and are seen to be the centre of the plant's efficacy as an herbal remedy.
The N-factors are not common except in herbal tonics. Seldom do both N- and A-factors occur in the same species. Several of the remarkable properties of Lapacho may be due to a probable synergy between A- and N- factors. Quercitin, xloidone and other flavonoids are also present in Lapacho; these undoubtedly contribute to the plant's effectiveness in the treatment of tumours and infections.
Users of Lapacho universally report a pleasant and moderate loosening of the bowels that leads to greater regularity without any unpleasant side-effects such as diarrhoea.
Pau D'arco has shown that it may hold the secret for the successful treatment of cancer and other diseases. Dr Daniel B. Mowry, PhD, states in his widely published article on Pau D'arco that "whole Lapacho has produced clinical anti-cancer effects without side effects."
How it works
(See nutritional breakdown)
Pau D'arco is a rich source of iron, which contributes to the elimination of wastes from the body and the assimilation of nutrients. It contains a chemical called Lapachol, known to support the immune system.
Anti-cancer effect: The absence of side effects makes Lapacho a treatment of choice even in conjunction with standard forms of therapy. The user has nothing to lose and much to gain from the judicious use of Lapacho. Lapacho have indeed been found to suppress tumour formation and reduce tumour viability. Leukaemia has proven particularly susceptible to the application of Lapacho and several of its constituents.
Part of the effectiveness of Lapacho may stem from its observed ability to stimulate the production of red blood cells in bone marrow. Increased red blood cell production would improve the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood.
Contraindications/Interactions
Do not use when pregnant or breastfeeding.
Its side effects are limited to nausea and anticoagulant effects in very high doses, a tendency to loosen the bowels, and diarrhoea in very high doses. As indicated earlier, some nausea should be expected as a natural consequence of the detoxification process, but Pau D'arco appears to be without any kind of significant toxicity to healthy human cells.
Instructions For Use/Dosages
It is highly recommended by many, as well as through folklore wisdom that Lapacho be routinely combined with Yerba Mate. The reasoning, based on centuries of experience in these matters by South American natives, is that the Yerba Mate has an activating effect on the actions of Lapacho. Yerba Mate, of course, imparts a good deal of medicinal action itself.
Use 1 teaspoon of Pau D'arco per cup and boil for at least 8–10 minutes—rather than brewed as a simple tea or infusion (Lapachol and the other quinoids are not very water soluble). Take one-half to one cup orally 2-4 times daily.
This decoction also is employed traditionally as a douche for yeast infections (use once daily for three consecutive days) and is used topically on the skin for skin fungi (such as nail fungus and athlete's foot). It can be taken either periodically as a preventive, or used consistently during an active infection.
Supporting Research
Clinical Laboratory Studies Show Cancer Cell Destruction:
This summarises the results of clinical research studies conducted by the company, "Taheebo Japan Co., Ltd." located in Osaka, Japan. Clinical laboratory tests were conducted at Tokyo University and other profession medical laboratories which culminated in the issuance of United States Patent Number 5,663,197 on September 2, 1997.
Taheebo Japan then produced and marketed a substance called "NFD" which they marketed as a tea product and priced the product at $280.00(US) per pound.
This patent proves that constituents extracted from the Tabebuia Avellanedae (Pau D'arco) tree bark "remarkably inhibits the growth" and "exhibits selective toxicity" of 23 specific types of cancer cells. The compound also "was found to inhibit the growth almost completely" and "cause necrosis (death)" in 12 specific types of malignant cancer tumours.
This patent was approved and obtained on the results of scientific laboratory research studies. This study does not make any claims as to the results that may be attained when using the "NFD" product as a herbal remedy for cancer. Human research studies have not been done to date. Why haven't human research studies on such a promising herbal remedy been accomplished? We can only speculate...