  |
What Is Pau d’Arco and How does It Improve One’s Health? |
|
What Is Pau d'Arco and How does It Improve One's Health?
|
Darrell Miller | 06/18/11 |
Date:
June 18, 2011 01:23 PM
Author: Darrell Miller
(dm@vitanetonline.com)
Subject: What Is Pau d'Arco and How does It Improve One's Health?
Pau d'Arco And Health?
Pau d'Arco is a woody tree historically consumed as tea in South America. It is considered a cure-all remedy largely owing to its long list of purported benefits to human health. Its active ingredients have been the subject of numerous studies in the past few decades, spurring its popularity at a global scale. Furthermore, it is one of the herbal remedies that have been linked to cancer research in recent years.
Tabebuia avellanedae is the tree species where Pau d'Arco extracts are obtained from. The tea made from the extracts of the inner bark of the tree is also known as Taheebo or Lapacho, which has been utilized by indigenous peoples of Brazil and surrounding countries as a prophylactic tonic for many known diseases, notably cancer. Modern herbalists dry and boil the inner bark for herbal preparations.
Exhibits Antimicrobial Properties
Pau d'Arco has long been used in the treatment of a diverse variety of infections, such as candidiasis, pneumocystosis, brucellosis, herpes, schistosomiasis, and influenza, among others. It has long been postulated to have antimicrobial properties, but laboratory studies have started only recently.
The antibiotic, antiviral, antifungal, and antiseptic properties of Pau d'Arco are attributed to its high quinone content. Early reports attest that it has shown great potential in the alleviation of acute illnesses, but the benefits of long-term use is still a matter of debate.
Detoxifies Harmful Metabolites
It is a common belief in South America that Pau d'Arco works as a natural cleanser. One of the reasons why it is consumed as a health tonic is its putative detox activity inside the human body. Regular intake is believed to benefit the liver in particular.
The liver serves as the first defense against foreign materials obtained from the diet and their harmful metabolites. Proponents believe that Pau d'Arco raises the natural defenses in the employ of the immune system to protect the liver and induces expulsion of toxins.
Counters Inflammatory Agents
Topical applications of Pau d'Arco have displayed very good results in the management of inflammatory diseases, such as eczema and psoriasis. In fact, Taheebo tea has been in use as a therapeutic treatment for hypersensitivity.
Practitioners of alternative medicine in Brazil heavily rely on Pau d'Arco to allay inflammation, notably rheumatism. Preparations of the inner bark contain compounds that counter inflammatory agents and ease joint pain and muscle spasms.
Inhibits Cancer Progression
Cancer research on Pau d'Arco is well underway. Initial findings have come to the conclusion that napthoquinones found in the inner bark of the tree are responsible for its anticancer activity, but scientists are still looking for a way to effectively utilize their purported benefits.
One thing is certain: Pau d'Arco has shown to selectively inhibit the growth of cancer cells and suppress their subsequent transfer to other body organs. Researchers do not discount the fact that regular consumptions of Taheebo tea or Pau d'Arco supplements may prevent or treat cancer.
