Pau d'Arco

The image above is from the class lesson.

I looked ahead on this herb and will only do one day of constituents.  The undefined ones are not in any of my books so they will get added to the list to research.

This is quite an amazing herb but all texts caution that often the product on the market is NOT of medicinal value.  The bark used must be the inner bark of a mature tree so make sure your sourcing is good.

I still have a lot of things to get done around here but I'm ahead on this herb so that makes me happy.  The children got french toast for breakfast this morning and are happily playing.  Which means, this mommy can get some chores done.  Love and Light!

On to pau d'arco!

Constituents: Napthaquinones (lapachol), anthraquinones, coumarins, flavonoids, iridoids, carnosol (Chevallier, 2016, p. 139). Mills and bone (2010) say naphthoquinone (the 1,4 type, especially beta-lapachol, beta-lapachone, xyloidone (dehydro-alpha-lapachone), alpha-lapachone, and deoxylapachol), naphthofurandiones (furanonaphthoquinones), iridoids, and small quantities of anthraquinones. Lapachol is not very water-soluble (p. 529).

Therapeutic Actions: Anti-bacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, immunostimulant, anti-inflammatory, tonic, antitumor (Chevallier, 2016, p. 139). Mills and Bone (2010) say immune-enhancing, antitumor, antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic, and depurative (p. 529).

Indications: Pain (from any source), osteomyelitis, ringworm, bronchitis, gastritis, colitis, prostatitis, lupus, Hodgkin’s Disease, parasitic penetration through the skin (Heinerman, 1996, p. 367-8).  Chevallier (2016) says it was used as a cure all (including wounds, fever, dysentery, intestinal inflammation, cancer and snake bites) by the Incas, Callaways, and many Native South American cultures.  It can be used as an antibiotic with issues of the nose, mouth, throat, chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), fungal conditions such as ringworm, thrush and candidiasis. Also good for inflammation, especially the stomach and intestines including cystitis, cervix inflammation, and prostatitis. Herbalists are also using it to treat cancer but there is not much science on this topic yet. (p. 139). Mills and Bone (2010) mention impetigo, cancer, topically for scabies and mouth inflammation.  They break down other species here with the same name: T. serrotifolia for cancer and oral inflammation, T. chrysantha, T. neochrysantha, T. aurea, T. argentea all for chronic anaemia, ulcer, stomach ache, fevers, and malaria. T. rosea, T. pentaphylla for uterine cancer, malaise, headache, and pain (p. 529).

Safety: Mills and Bone (2010) say not to use this while pregnant as it is associated with fetal harm.  Use caution while lactating.  Do not use with anticoagulants.  It can cause contact dermatitis (p. 529).

Have a Great Day!