Plant Description
Medical Properties
DosageCaution & Interaction
Efficacy Studies
& Other Clinical Data
Helpful Links 
Latin (botanical) name:
Tabebuia impetiginosa (Lapacho)
Common names: Pau D'Arco, Ipe Roxo, Lapacho, Tahuari, Taheebo, Tabebuia ipe, Tajy
Plant Description: Native to the Andes, Pau D'Arco is a large rainforest tree found in tropical parts of South America. It can grow to a height of 150 feet and the base of the tree can be 4 to 6 feet in diameter. The bark is smooth, and the stems are yellowish-green with opposite deciduous leaves in whorls. The stems have five elliptic leaves of unequal size. They are either ovate or lanceolate. The flowers of the Pau D'Arco, which bloom in the spring, come in a variety of colors, from deep purple to yellow to blue, generally with a yellow throat. Conical or bell-shaped, they have 5 curly lobes. The fruit is a longish capsule made of two valves enclosing winged seeds.
Medicinal Properties &Uses: Pau D'Arco has long been used in herbal medicine around the world. Quinones are naturally occurring compounds in plants and animals. The ones most familiar to us are vitamin K and Co-Enzyme Q10. Over 20 such compounds have been found in the bark of the Pau D'Arco. The quinones in Pau D'Arco bark have been found effective against numerous disease-causing organisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, tuberculosis, dysentery, and anthrax. Medical researchers have found that some compounds in the bark of this tree, mainly Beta-lapachone and lapachol, have anticancer properties. Pau D'Arco is found to be anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and astringent. Many ailments this herb is known to be effective against include allergies, diabetes, ulcers, syphilis, gastrointestinal problems, and constipation, just to name a few. Additionally, Pau D'Arco is considered analgesic, antioxidant, and anti-viral. It can be used externally to treat skin ulcerations, psoriasis, and boils. Internally, studies have shown it to be useful in treating fevers, infections, cold and flu, allergies, liver disease, and gastrointestinal problems. It has shown promising results in the treatment of arthritis, prostatitis, and problems with circulation, as well as lupus, ulcers, diabetes, candida, and yeast infections. The tea of Pau D'Arco has a toxicity level about 1/10th that of caffeine. Patients with cancer who were receiving medical treatment in addition to Pau D'Arco found that the tea appeared to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy and that it decreased deleterious side effects.
Dosage: 30-60 drops in water or juice, 2-3 times daily or as needed.
Cautions & Interactions: Keep out of reach of children.
Efficacy Studies & Other Clinical Data: Helpful Links:
Disclaimer (U.S. Only): These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease.
Common names: Pau D'Arco, Ipe Roxo, Lapacho, Tahuari, Taheebo, Tabebuia ipe, Tajy
Plant Description: Native to the Andes, Pau D'Arco is a large rainforest tree found in tropical parts of South America. It can grow to a height of 150 feet and the base of the tree can be 4 to 6 feet in diameter. The bark is smooth, and the stems are yellowish-green with opposite deciduous leaves in whorls. The stems have five elliptic leaves of unequal size. They are either ovate or lanceolate. The flowers of the Pau D'Arco, which bloom in the spring, come in a variety of colors, from deep purple to yellow to blue, generally with a yellow throat. Conical or bell-shaped, they have 5 curly lobes. The fruit is a longish capsule made of two valves enclosing winged seeds.
Medicinal Properties &Uses: Pau D'Arco has long been used in herbal medicine around the world. Quinones are naturally occurring compounds in plants and animals. The ones most familiar to us are vitamin K and Co-Enzyme Q10. Over 20 such compounds have been found in the bark of the Pau D'Arco. The quinones in Pau D'Arco bark have been found effective against numerous disease-causing organisms, including Staphylococcus aureus, tuberculosis, dysentery, and anthrax. Medical researchers have found that some compounds in the bark of this tree, mainly Beta-lapachone and lapachol, have anticancer properties. Pau D'Arco is found to be anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and astringent. Many ailments this herb is known to be effective against include allergies, diabetes, ulcers, syphilis, gastrointestinal problems, and constipation, just to name a few. Additionally, Pau D'Arco is considered analgesic, antioxidant, and anti-viral. It can be used externally to treat skin ulcerations, psoriasis, and boils. Internally, studies have shown it to be useful in treating fevers, infections, cold and flu, allergies, liver disease, and gastrointestinal problems. It has shown promising results in the treatment of arthritis, prostatitis, and problems with circulation, as well as lupus, ulcers, diabetes, candida, and yeast infections. The tea of Pau D'Arco has a toxicity level about 1/10th that of caffeine. Patients with cancer who were receiving medical treatment in addition to Pau D'Arco found that the tea appeared to increase the effectiveness of chemotherapy and that it decreased deleterious side effects.
Dosage: 30-60 drops in water or juice, 2-3 times daily or as needed.
Cautions & Interactions: Keep out of reach of children.
Efficacy Studies & Other Clinical Data: Helpful Links:
Disclaimer (U.S. Only): These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, cure, treat, or prevent any disease.
