The Tabebuia, or Pau d'Arco is a large canopy tree that is native to the Amazon rain forest in Brazil.
The tree can grow to 30 meters high and is known for its extravagant bloom of pink and violet flowers.
While the tree is beautiful it is really the heartwood and inner bark of a particular species of the tree,
the Tabebuia avellanedae, that is most prized. more...
Can Pau d'Arco also known as Taheebo or Ipe Roxo cure cancer? That is a question many have asked. Some research has
shown that a tea or tincture concocted from Pau d'arco can have beneficial effects for cancer victims ranging
from alleviation of symptoms of chemotherapy to outright remission of tumors. As an example, Dr. Daniel B. Mowrey published
an article on Pau d'Arco stating that "whole Lapacho has produced clinical anti-cancer effects without side effects." Lapachol is a derivitave of
Pau d'arco.
The evidence of Pau d'arco's effectiveness is scattered around the interent and across a few books and articles on the subject.
This site is designed to be a portal to much of that information so that the potential user of Pau d'arco or Taheebo can do
their own research into the subject and make their own reasoned decision.
There is research on both sides of the pau d'arco issue. Some has indicated that Taheebo or pau d'arco
is very effective at healing cancer, candida and other ailments while other studies have concluded that it is not
effective at all and may even be toxic. There are definitely cautions to be aware of regarding Pau d'Arco.
Unfortunately, most of these studies differ in ways that make them difficult to compare. As an example, one study focused on one derivitave
compound from the wood of the Tabebuia tree called Lapachol. This study found that Lapachol did possess some anti-cancer qualities.
Another study looked at off-the-shelf pau d'arco and determined that it did not improve the health of its user at all. Yet another research
project showed that Lapachol taken in large doses can possibly be toxic.
Confusing isn't it?
That is why we recommend performing your own investigation of the evidence for and against pau d'arco and then deciding for yourself
which path you should take. We have included an extensive reference list and links page to help
you in this endeavor.
Copyright 2007 Paudarco.com
Pau d'arco or Taheebo is not all created equally. If you go down to your local health food store you will probably
find many different brands of Pau d'arco in many different forms such as liquid, capsule, tea, etc.
The unfortunate truth is that many of these products are not even true Pau d'arco.
Peruse the research and you will find that the Tabebuia Avellanedae is the effective species. Unfortunately, Tabebuia trees are
sometimes harvested along with other rain forest trees that are used for lumber. All the trees are put on a truck and sent to
the lumber mill. At the mill they have the bark shaved off and are cut into boards. Many times the sawdust is collected from
the sawmill floor and that is what is used in the capsules and many teas that claim to be Pau d'arco. Sawdust is a cellulose
compound and cannot even be broken down by the human digestive system.
Research has been done showing that some alleged Pau d'arco products actually contain only sawdust from other rain forest trees and no Pau d'arco.
If you put your faith in these products to improve your health you are only wasting your money and, most importantly, your time.
The Pau d'arco you use must come from the inner bark of the correct species of tree and it must be processed properly.
Pau d'arco in tea form seems to perform the best.