Increase Health And Wellness With Pau d’Arco Bark
Monday, June 22nd, 2009pau d arco bark is a huge canopy tree native to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical parts of South and Latin America. It grows to 30 m high and the base of the tree can be 2 3 m in diameter. The Tabebuia genus includes about 100 species of large, flowering trees that are common to South American cities’ landscapes for their beauty. The tree also is popular with timber loggers, its high quality wood is some of the heaviest, most durable wood in the tropics. Pau d’arco wood is widely used in the construction of everything from houses and boats to farm tools.
The common name pau d’arco (as well as its other main names of commerce, ipe roxo and lapacho) is used for several different species of Tabebuia trees that are used interchangeably in herbal medicine systems. T. impetiginosa is known for its attractive purple flowers and often is called “purple lapacho.” It has been the preferred species employed in herbal medicine. It is often referred to by its other botanical name, Tabebuia avellanedae; both refer to the same tree. Other pau d’arco species produce pink (T. heptaphylla), yellow (T. serratifolia and T. chrysantha) or white (T. bahamensis) flowers. Though many of these species may have a similar phytochemical makeup, they are different species of trees.
pau d arco has a long and well-documented history of use by the indigenous peoples of the rainforest. Indications imply that its use may actually predate the Incas. Throughout South America, tribes living thousands of miles apart have employed it for the same medicinal purposes for hundreds of years. Several Indian tribes of the rainforest have used pau d’arco wood for centuries to make their hunting bows; their common names for the tree mean “bow stick” and “bow stem.”
The Guarani and Tupi Indians call the tree tajy, which means “to have strength and vigor.” They use the bark to treat many different conditions and as a tonic for the same strength and vigor it puts into their bows. Pau d’arco is recorded to be used by forest inhabitants throughout the Amazon for malaria, anemia, colitis, respiratory problems, colds, cough, flu, fungal infections, fever, arthritis and rheumatism, snakebite, poor circulation, boils, syphilis, and cancer.
The scientific study of pau d’arco is still very preliminary. There is a great deal of practical evidence, however, that pau d’arco can be used with success to treat colds, flu, sore throat, and yeast infections, and there is laboratory evidence that the herb contains compounds that protect against tropical diseases, specifically malaria, schistosomiasis, and tropical fevers. The herb is added to ointments to treat psoriasis, and taken orally to relieve ulcers.
Pau d arco is available in capsule and tablet forms at your local or internet health food store. Look for name brands like Now Foods, Source Naturals vitamins, and Solaray to ensure quality and purity of the product you purchase.
*Statements contained herein have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Pau d arco is not intended to diagnose, treat and cure or prevent disease. Always consult with your professional health care provider before changing any medication or adding Vitamins to medications.