Pau D'Arco: Benefits and Uses

Pau d'arco is a type of tree bark that has been used in traditional medicine for its potential health benefits. It is often brewed as a tea and may support immune health.

Pau D'Arco FAQ

Image credit: herbs-america.com

What is pau d'arco?

These plant-based compounds, drawn from the rainforests of Central and South America, are studied for their potential antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal effects. Pau d'arco has been an ingredient in herbal medicines for centuries and is available as a dietary supplement. It also includes a potent antioxidant known as quercetin.

What is a pau d'arco tree?

Pau d’arco is the common name for several species of trees native to South and Central America’s tropical rainforests. It can grow up to 125 feet tall and has pink-to-purple flowers, which bloom before new leaves appear. Its incredibly dense and rot-resistant wood is used by native peoples to make hunting bows.

Is pau d'arco safe?

Little is known about the long-term safety of pau d'arco. However, it does have some side effects of which you need to be aware. Common side effects include dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The risk and severity of side effects tend to increase with the dose.

How does pau d'arco help rheumatoid arthritis?

They cause inflammation, pain, and fever as part of the healing process. By countering this effect, pau d'arco may reverse the swelling and pain associated with inflammatory conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and benign prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate).

Where does a pau d'arco tree grow?

The pau d'arco tree grows in the warm parts of Central and South America. It is a broad leaf evergreen that grows to a height of 125 feet and has pink-to-violet colored flowers. The tree's extremely hard wood makes it resistant to disease and decay. The inner bark of the tree is used medicinally.

What is a pau d'arco tree used for?

Less. Native peoples in Central and South America reportedly use pau d’arco bark to treat cancer, lupus, infectious diseases, wounds, and many other health conditions. 1 Caribbean folk healers use the leaf of this tree in addition to the bark for the treatment of backache, toothache, sexually transmitted diseases, and as an aphrodisiac.

Is pau d'arco good for You?

Pau d'arco has been an ingredient in herbal medicines for centuries and is available as a dietary supplement. It also includes a potent antioxidant known as quercetin. Research has investigated the individual components of pau d'arco and the whole plant. The use of the whole plant sometimes results in a synergistic effect.