Pau D’Arco

Pau D’arco is a native hardwood tree from South America, and is known by the indigenous people as a ‘miracle’ healer for its tumour busting and powerful anti-inflammatory properties.

First lets talk sustainability – we all want to preserve the rain forests right?

There are over 100 species of Pau D’arco found throughout South America, some of which thrive in the Amazonian tropical rain forests. They are classified in the family Bignoniaceae (Trumpet creeper family & related to mint!) are canopy covering specialists with distinctive bright pink trumpet flowers. Not listed on the CITIES register (meaning they are not classified as a rare or endangered species) the tabebuia avellanedae species of Pau D’arco renowned to have the strongest medicinal properties can also thrive outside of the rain forest environment and be successfully and sustainably managed to harvest the inner bark for herbal medicine whilst the hardwood is utilized for local furniture making. Small areas of managed woodland are harvested, then replanted with a variety of different species rather than growing in monoculture plantations which encourage a wide range of flora and fauna to regenerate the area. The harvesting of these and other trees alongside them benefit the local communities, and bring money for local people.

So what makes Pau D’arco such an amazing herb?

Fights tumours and stops cancer spreading

Scientific research has identified two main phytochemical naphthoquinones namely lapachol and beta-lapachone which fight ‘metastasis’. Metastasis is a medical term for diseases like cancer spreading from one organ or body region to another.

Lapachol is also a powerful anti-oxidant and anti-microbial, being especially useful for deep seated infections. We have seen some amazing results with farm animals one with a bone infection and the other in a cockerel with an abscess. Anyone with poultry will know how hard these infections are to fight!

Reduces Pain and Swelling

Research has shown Pau D’arco reduces the sensory process thereby reducing pain. It increases the expression of a gene known as Nrf2 which regulates the expression of antioxidants in the gut protecting against oxidative stress, injury and inflammation of the intestines.

Heals gastro-intestinal ulcers

Research has found Pau D’arco significantly accelerated healing of gastric ulcers by increasing mucus content, coating the gut lining and encouraging cell wall proliferation and healing.

Fights Candida albicans

Candida albicans is an opportunistic yeast found naturally in the gut, and is an important part of the gut microbiome at very low levels (around 2% in humans). However, if there is a stress challenge to the microbiome, particularly with anti-biotics destroying the good bacteria, candida albicans will take advantage of this and proliferate. Control can be problematic; but the anti-oxidant properties of Pau D’arco can challenge and fight candida, helping to restore a healthy gut microbiome.

Fights microbes

Beta-lapochone inhibits the enzymes in virus and fungal cells responsible for the synthesis of DNA & RNA, meaning harmful pathogenic virus cells are unable to reproduce and proliferate or infect other cells in the host. Pau D’arco can be applied to the skin to reduce inflammation, redness and swelling associated with fungal and bacterial infections

Detoxifies the body

By stimulating the digestive system, Pau D’arco encourages the body to eliminate fats and toxins, removing heavy metals, pesticides and even chemotherapy residues. It also encourages detoxification of the blood and lymphatic systems.