Pau D'Arco

Pau D'Arco - Scientific / Medicinal Studies

At the time of writing, Pubmed lists 86 abstracts for a search on Tabebuia - with a surprisingly wide range of actions and medicinal potential reported. A good number of these focus on the potential anti-cancer properties of the plant - with some promising results. A 2009 review by the Centre for Pharmacognosy and Phytotherapy, The School of Pharmacy, University of London, states that the plant has been considered a possible "wonder drug" in the fight against cancer. [5]

Pau d'Arco was also recently found (2010) to have a beneficial effect on wound healing when applied topically [6] , and an inhibitory effect on peptic ulcers. [3] Tabebuia impetiginosa has also been found to have selective growth-inhibiting effects on human intestinal bacteria, inhibiting pathogens such as Clostridium species and E. Coli while not adversely affecting Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lactobacillus casei. [7] However it is stated elsewhere that doses sufficient to kill bacterial (or fungal) infections in humans may be toxic. [8]

Is Pau D'Arco an Aphrodisiac?

None of the 86 studies found in a search of Pubmed investigate any aphrodisiac quality of the plant. A 2007 study from the Universidade Federal de Juiz de Fora, Brazil, found that Lapachol, a component found in Pau d'Arco, reduced the weight of the seminal vesicle of test animals - however no significant alteration of sperm production was noted. [9]

Historical research is surprisingly quiet also, and a search of Google books for mentions of Pau d'Arco, Taheebo, Lapacho in connection with aphrodisiac, draws a blank on books before 1970.

And yet the modern web repeats the legend that Pau d'Arco is aphrodisiac. One unreferenced source states that the leaves are believed aphrodisiac, while acknowledging that the bark was used medicinally in S. America. [8] It seems that Pau d'Arco has some tradition of use as an aphrodisiac, however I was not able to find the source of it and this is unusual, as herbal folklore usually shows up in multiple locations in searches through old literature.

In summary, this one must conclude without a conclusion. It is certainly an interesting plant with much potential to be investigated by medicine, however with the wealth of potential aphrodisiacs out there, it would seem that there are many whose aphrodisiac reputation has stronger foundations than Pau d'Arco.

Notes

One of the expert resources on Pau d'Arco has stated that care must be taken to get good quality Pau d'Arco. [1] It states that Tabebuia avellanedae is the name to look for. It also states that some supposed Pau d'Arco tea has been found to consist of only sawdust from other rainforest trees, which is neither the right part of the tree, nor the right tree! It's important to source herbs from reputable suppliers. Another source states that most users are unaware that lapachol and the other active ingredients are not very soluble, requiring the bark or wood to be boiled for several minutes as opposed to simply being decocted (made into tea), in order to extract the active components. On the positive side, it's stated my a prominent source (Rain Tree) that there have been no reports of human toxicity from use of whole bark decoction or tincture of Pau d'Arco. [11]

One supplier of Pau d'Arco tea, Traditional Medicinals, recommends that the tea should not be drunk on a continuous basis. Their product packaging states "Drink up to 4 cups daily for up to 6 weeks, then take a 4 week pause before resuming another 6 week course." [10] Pau d'Arco is advised not to be taken during pregnancy as it is a possible abortifacient. [11]