What Is Pau D’arco Used for and Are There Side Effects?
Pau d’arco is a group of trees and a supplement made from the inner bark. It’s used for pain, fever, boils, and other conditions. Possible side effects include nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, and discolored urine.
Pau d’arco is a group of trees and a supplement made from the inner bark. The bark and its products have been used in traditional medicine for hundreds of years. However, human studies have not proven any of these effects. Excessive use of this supplement can be dangerous.
Read on to learn about the uses, side effects, and who can take pau d’arco.
Pau d’arco refers to a group of trees primarily in the Tabebuia genus, including four different species:
- Tabebuia avellanedae
- Tabebuia heptaphylla
- Tabebuia heptaphylla
- Handroanthus impetiginosus
Pau d’arco is the common name for these trees and their products. They also have different names in their countries of origin, such as:
- Lapacho
- Taheebo
- Ipe-roxo
- Trumpet bush
These trees are native to South America and are evergreens with broad leaves. They can grow up to 125 feet tall and produce clusters of pink and violet flowers. The trees are known for their sturdy interiors that are resistant to disease and decay.
Traditionally, the inner bark of the tree is used for medicinal purposes and brewed into tea by South American cultures. In Brazil, people still use pau d’arco in the same way as their ancestors did. It is believed to help with various health problems.
Today, pau d’arco is available in various forms other than tea, including pills, tablets, powder, and alcohol-based tinctures.
Due to high demand for pau d’arco supplements, the trees are now endangered as their bark has been harvested unsustainably.
What are traditional uses for pau d’arco?
Traditional medicine recommends using pau d’arco to help treat a wide range of health problems. However, modern science has not verified these claims, and no evidence supports the health benefits of pau d’arco.
Traditional and claimed uses for pau d’arco include treating pain, fever, boils, ulcers, colds, the flu, bladder infections, diabetes, arthritis, prostatitis, and certain cancers.
What are scientifically proven uses for pau d’arco?
So far, very few studies have looked into the effects of pau d’arco supplements on the human body. Chemical analysis has found two molecules called naphthoquinones, specifically lapachol and beta-lapachone, which may affect human health. These chemicals have shown biological effects in test tube and animal-based experiments, including anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties. However, no significant results have been found in humans. Limited human studies have been done, and clinical trials are ongoing to determine the uses of pau d’arco supplements for certain conditions. Consult your doctor for the most up-to-date information.
QUESTION
Are there any pau d’arco side effects?
Pau d’arco can cause side effects, including nausea, dizziness, diarrhea, and discolored urine. High doses can lead to more severe problems, such as uncontrollable bleeding and vomiting. Seek immediate medical attention if you experience these severe symptoms. Animal studies have shown additional side effects, including anemia, reproductive abnormalities, and chromosomal abnormalities, that could also apply to humans.
What’s the right dose for pau d’arco supplements?
Determining the correct dose for pau d’arco supplements can be challenging due to the lack of regulation and monitoring by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Different brands and batches can vary significantly. When choosing a pau d’arco product, check the active ingredients for pau d’arco or Tabebuia and ensure that the amount is not too high. Taking more than one and a half milligrams of lapachol per day increases the risk of side effects. It’s best to ask your doctor for recommendations.
The amount of lapachol and beta-lapachone in each sample depends on factors such as the species of the plant used, the extraction methods, and the product’s final form.
Who shouldn’t take pau d’arco?
Infants, children, pregnant women, and breastfeeding women should not take pau d’arco due to insufficient data on its safety for these groups. Pau d’arco can also interact with certain prescriptions, over-the-counter medications, and natural remedies. Consult your doctor if you take prescription blood thinners, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs), or certain natural remedies before using pau d’arco.
When should you talk to your doctor?
Always consult your doctor before taking pau d’arco or any new supplements. Inform your doctor if you experience severe symptoms or need emergency surgery or medical attention. Make sure to discuss any concerns or questions with your doctor regarding pau d’arco or dietary supplements.
Sources:
Brazilian Journal of Biology: "Ethnobotanical and ethnopharmacological study of medicinal plants used by a traditional community in Brazil’s northeastern."
ClinicalTrials.gov: "Effects of Pau d’ Arco in Primary Dysmenorrhea (EPAPD)."
International Immunopharmacology: "An evaluation on potential anti-inflammatory effects of ß-lapachone."
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center: "Pau D’arco."
Mt. Sinai: "Pau d’arco."
Tufts Medical Center: "Pau D’arco."
