Pau D'Arco - Pau D Arco Bark Claimed To Be Miracle Drug
Susannah Singer
Pau d'arco (pronounced powdy arco) was relatively unknown until the 1960's when Dr. Theodore Meyer wrote an article claiming that the herb cured five advanced classes of leukemia. A flurry of research resulted and the effective drug was isolated. This drug was then given to test animals with confirming results. However, in a 'too good to be true' conclusion, the National Cancer Institute determined that the amount of this drug needed to be effective in humans would bring severe and even dangerous side effects. Just like that, pau d-arco was virtually benched.
Some believers remained undaunted by these negative findings. Over the next decade pau d'arco was successfully used to treat arthritis, infections, skin problems, malaria, fevers, and even some cancers. Was the Cancer Institute wrong in its research? No, the research was not wrong, but it was inadequate for two reasons.
First, this isolated drug lapachol was not the only beneficial drug in pau d-arco. Researches isolated 20 additional active ingredients in the herb. Second, the effect of the herb was multiplied and the side effects minimized when used as a whole instead of isolating its parts. It seems the ingredients work to help each other benefit the person most.
For what medical problems besides cancer has pau d'arco been used? Start with flu, lupus, diabetes, skin diseases, parasites, ulcers, and arthritis and one can see why it was found on many people's bragging lists. Add to this its effectiveness in treating strep, yeast infections, dysentery, malaria, and tuberculosis. In small doses, pau d'arco increases the activity of the immune system, and in large doses it reduces inflammation and other immune responses.
Pau d'arco is available in health food stores in capsules, tinctures, and as dried bark. The recommended dosage is one to two capsules or one to two droppers of tincture taken one to four times per day, depending on the condition and patient.
Tea can be made from the bark by adding one tbsp of bark for every three cups of water. The tea should be boiled for twenty minutes or longer in a non-aluminum pot. One cup of tea can be taken three or four times daily for acute conditions. One-half cup three or four times daily is recommended for other conditions. Pau d'arco tea has a cool, bitter flavor.
As with all powerful herbs, precautions should be heeded. Because it has blood thinning qualities, pau d'arco should not be taken before surgery and may cause anemia when used long term. Its effect on infants has not been determined so pregnant or lactating mothers should avoid it. Other problems reported by those using pau d'arco include stomach cramps, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Also be sure that the source of pau d'arco is reputable. Some bark has been tested and found to contain little of the effective ingredients. Generally, the pau d'arco from Argentina is considered the highest quality.
About the Author:
Years of documented success with Pau D'Arco as a health giving herb cannot be wrong. Though it comes with precautions, quality Pau D'Arco can provide many benefits for a variety of health problems.
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