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Pau D'arco

2/24/2014

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Pau D'arco

Picture
Image credit: www.bulkherbstore.com

Pau D’arco  - tabebuia impetiginosa - is one of my favorite barks. It hails from the mountains of South America, so it is a foreign visitor, but a most welcomed and respected one. Pau D’arco has an astringent, aromatic taste, making for one delicious cup of tea. I like to add it to my home-made chai, my adaptogen tea, and to my immune boosting syrup.
Because it is a bark, it must be simmered for at least 20 minutes to extract all of the goodness. You can also make or buy a tincture or infused oil of Pau D’arco. I do not recommend capsules, as I find them to be expensive and impotent forms of herbal medicine.
Pau D'arco has an extremely wide array of properties, including:
  • anti-bacterial
  • anti-viral
  • anti-fungal
  • anti-parasitic
  • anti-inflammatory
  • lymphatic
  • immune modulating
  • anti-tumor   
Picture
Image credit: www.chrisbeatcancer.com    

Pau D'arco is used as an immune system modulator and to clear lymphatic congestion. It is sometimes used to treat cancer. Because of its combination of anti-fungal and immune-modulating properties, Pau D’arco is an excellent internal remedy for candida overgrowth. I have seen a foot soak of Pau D’arco work to clear up a severe case of athletes foot in just one day. It is also useful for wounds. It can be applied externally as a wash, liniment, oil, salve, or soak. It can be taken internally as a tea or tincture.

Pau D’arco has been used as a cure-all by Native people in South America for a variety of conditions including fever, dysentery, and intestinal inflammation. While there are local herbs that have the same qualities, it would take a complex formula to achieve the same effect. Pau D’arco is worth going the distance for its wide array of uses, which combine to make a strong and versatile plant.

Pau D’arco may interact with anti-coagulant medication, so seek professional advice if you are taking any. As with any remedy, take this if it feels good to your body!



Sources:
Chevallier, Andrew. Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine, DK publishing, UK. 2000.  
Tilgner, Sharol. Herbal Medicine from the Heart of the Earth. US Malloy Lithographing inc. 2009.

This information is for educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Not intended as a substitute for advice from a health care professional.

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    Elise Damilatis is a holistic clinical herbalist with a passion for truth and nature

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