Pau D'Arco has also long been used in herbal medicine around the world. In South America it is considered astringent, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal and laxative being used for ulcers, syphilis, gastrointestinal problems, candidiasis, cancer, diabetes, prostatitis, constipation, and allergies.^{(7 - 10)} In herbal medicine in America, Pau D'Arco is considered analgesic, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and laxative as well as having anti-cancerous properties.^{(1, 11)} It is used externally and internally for the treatment of fevers, infections, colds, flu, syphilis, cancer, respiratory problems, skin ulcerations, and boils, dysentery, gastrointestinal problems of all kinds, arthritis, prostatitis, and circulation disturbances.^{(1, 11-14)} Other conditions reported treated include lupus, diabetes, ulcers, leukemia, allergies, liver disease, Hodgkin's Disease, osteomyelitis, Parkinson's disease and psoriasis.^{(1, 13)} It is a popular remedy for candida and yeast infections. In European herbal medicine it is used much the same way as in America.⁽¹⁵⁾

The chemical constituents and active ingredients of Pau D'Arco have been well documented. Its use and reported cures with various types of cancers in the early 1960's fueled much of the early research. Its anti-cancerous properties were first attributed to a phytochemical found in the bark and wood called lapachol. In a 1968 study, lapachol demonstrated highly significant activity against cancerous tumors in rats.⁽¹⁶⁾ Then in 1974, the NCI reported that Phase I clinical trials failed to produce a therapeutic effect with lapachol without side effects and discontinued further cancer research.⁽¹⁷⁾ Another research group developed a lapachol analog in 1975 which was effective in increasing the life span by over 80% in mice inoculated with leukemic cells.⁽¹⁸⁾ In a small study in 1980 with nine patients with various cancers (liver, kidney, breast, prostate and cervix) pure lapachol demonstrated an ability to shrink tumors and reduce feeling of pain caused by tumors and achieved complete remissions in three of the patients.⁽¹⁹⁾

The Phytochemical Database housed at the U.S. Department of Agriculture has documented lapachol as being antiabscess, anticarcinomic, antiedemic, anti-inflammatory, antimalarial, antiseptic, antitumor, antiviral, bactericide, fungicide, insectifuge, pesticide, protisticide, respiradepressant, schistosomicide, termiticide, and viricide.⁽²⁰⁾ Besides lapachol, Pau D'Arco contains at least 20 other active constituents that are attributed to its other actions. It has clearly demonstrated broad clinical applications against a large number of disease causing micro-organisms which explains its wide array of uses in herbal medicine. Its action seems to come from increasing oxygen supply at the local level, destroying bacteria, viruses, fungi and parasites. It's antimicrobial properties were clinically demonstrated in several clinical trials, demonstrating strong activity against various gram-positive bacteria and fungi including, Candida, Staphylococcus, Trichophyton, Brucella, tuberculosis, pneumonia, strep, and dysentery.^(21-25) Pau D'Arco and it's constituents have demonstrated antiviral properties against various viruses including Herpes I and II, influenza, poliovirus, and vesicular stomatitis virus.^(26-28) It's anti-parasitic actions against various parasites including malaria, Schistosoma, and Trypansoma have been clinically validated.^{(26, 29, 30)} Bark extracts of Pau D'Arco have demonstrated anti-inflammatory activity and have been shown to be successful against a wide range of inflammations.⁽³¹⁾

With these problems, it is not surprising that consumers and practitioners are experiencing varied results with commercially available Pau D'Arco products. Yet with its many effective applications, consumers should take the time to learn about the available products and suppliers and find a reliable source for this important medicinal plant from the rainforest. Relatively new in the market place are standardized extracts of Pau D'Arco which guarantee the amount of lapachol and/or Naphthoquinones (a group of phytochemicals which includes lapachol and at least 8 others documented in Pau D'Arco). Although the natural wood and bark are quite effective when the correct species is prepared properly, the new standardized extracts may be the safer purchase (although more expensive) for most lay persons and general consumers.

1 "Pau d' Arco has been revered by the Rainforest Indians for centuries. It is one of the most useful Brazilian herbs. It is called the "divine tree." It is helpful in rheumatism and arthritic inflammation, prostatitis, cystitis, and beneficial for controlling fungus and yeast overgrowth in the body. This multi-purpose herb helps prevent tumor formation and is thought to eliminate toxins and purify the blood. Pau d' Arco became very popular in 1967 after Dr. Walter Accorsi of the Municipal Hospital in Santo Andre talked to a magazine reporter who printed his story. He said:- "From my first experiments with Ipe Roxo (Pau d'Arco), I learned two important things which, greatly encouraged me in regards to cancer: First, that it eliminates the pain caused by the disease; and second, that it multiplies the number of red blood cells." This bark is used to treat stomatitis (swelling of the mucus membranes in the mouth), ulcers in the throat, gastric ulcers, syphilitic chancres, itchiness, wounds, eczema, and boils." 2 "Brazilians call pau d'arco the "divine tree." It helps to increase red blood cell production and helps respiratory disorders, ulcers, candida excess, and athlete's foot. Pau d'arco can fortify the blood, helps to dissolve phlegm and is an antifungal. Research in both the United States and South America shows that pau d'arco has ingredients found to be effective against some forms of cancer and parasites. It helps lower blood sugar levels and promotes digestion. Lapachol, from pau d'arco, was recently listed by Purdue University as among the most important antitumor agents from plants." 3 "ACTIONS: Fortifies blood, Antifungal activity, Combats Candida overgrowth. TRADITIONAL USE: Pau D'Arco tea has been revered by the Indians for centuries as one of the most useful Brazilian herbs. They call it the "Divine Tree'. It has been the subject of experiments with encouraging results. Dr. Walter Accorsi, in an article March 1967, states it multiplies the amount of red corpuscles. Experiments have been conducted at the Municipal Hospital at Santo Andre, Sao Paulo using Pau D'Arco in the treatment of respiratory problems, ulcers and a variety of other ailments. Pau D'Arco is highly regarded for its effectiveness in controlling Candida excess. MERIDIAN INDICATIONS: Disperses damp, Dissolves phlegm, Aids regulation of Lung / Stomach, Relieves stagnation in all meridians. EVA POINTS: Liver, Kidney, Large and Small Intestine." 5 "Bitter herb that contains a natural antibacterial agent, has a healing effect, and cleans the blood. Good for candidiasis, smoker's cough, warts, all types of infection, diabetes, ulcers, rheumatism, allergies, tumors, AIDS, leukemia, cancer, and liver disease. NOTE: Resistant strains of Candida develop rapidly due to genetic mutation. Rotating treatment programs will be beneficial." 8 "Brazilian uses and Folklore: If you stop any Brazilian on the street and ask him "What is Ipe Roxo?"... not only will he know immediately what you are talking about, he will begin to explain enthusiastically the wonders and uses of the tea made from the inner bark. Ipe Roxo is undoubtedly one of the most valued and useful of all Brazilian herbs. Used as a health tonic and revered by the Indians for centuries, Ipe Roxo first came to the attention of botanists and doctors about 100 years ago. Since then, the uses and wonders of this tree have been studied and prescribed. In March of 1967 "O Cruzeiro" magazine published an article about the results doctors were getting with the tea at the municipal hospital in Santo Andre, Sao Paulo. The article quotes Dr. Walter Accorsi, as stating: "From my first experiments with it [IPE ROXO], I learned two important things which greatly encouraged me in regard to cancer: Firstly, Pau D'Arco eliminates the pain caused by the disease; and secondly, it multiplies the amount of red corpuscle. Our amazement grew: This bark cured everything! Ulcers, diabetes, and rheumatism - the medicine cleared them all up".After the publication of this article, the demand for Ipe Roxo grew tenfold and today Ipe Roxo bark, extract and homeopathic mother tincture are to be found in health food stores, drugstores and pharmacies all over Brazil. Ipe Roxo can be taken alone, or with other herbal teas for which it acts as a catalyst. Uses:Influential in the treatment of symptoms of: cancer, diabetes, respiratory problems, ulcers, colitis, arthritis, rheumatism, poor circulation, prostatitis, cystitis, constipation." 11 "Pau d' Arco is thought to eliminate toxins in the body and purify the blood, and it has anti-fungal properties. In an original weight loss research study performed in Chicago in 1992, I found that women's chronic yeast infections cleared up promptly when Pau d'Arco was added to the formula. Pau d'Arco also has anti-inflammatory characteristics, making it useful in the treatment of arthritis and other inflammatory diseases. Some researchers report its ability to increase red blood cell counts and eliminate some symptoms associated with cancer." 13 "During the past century, LaPacho has come under scientific scrutiny. The first active constituent to be studied was lapachol; however, it is interesting to note that many of the studies show significantly better results with the whole extract and diminishing effectiveness as the extracts are refined or individual chemicals are tested." 14 "The native Indians of Brazil, northern Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia and other South American countries have used lapacho [T. impetiginosa] for medicinal purposes for thousands of years; there are indication that its use may actually antedate the Incas. Lapacho is applied externally and internally for the treatment of fevers, infections, colds, flu, dysentery, gastrointestinal problems of all kinds, debilitating conditions such as arthritis and prostatitis, and circulatory disturbances. Other conditions reportedly cured with lapacho include lupus, diabetes, Hodgkin's disease, osteomyelitis, Parkinson's disease and psoriasis...
Independent of Meyer, a Physician in Brazil, about 1960, after hearing a tale of its miraculous curative powers, used lapacho to treat his brother who was lying in a Santa Andre, Brazil hospital, dying of cancer. His brother recovered, and the physician, Dr. Orlando dei Santi, began to use the herb to treat cancer patients at the hospital. other physicians joined the team and after a few months, several cures were recorded. In the typical case, pain disappeared rapidly and sometimes complete remission was achieved in as little as four weeks. Because of the work at the Municipal Hospital of Santo Andre, lapacho has become a standard form of treatment for some kinds of cancer and for all kinds of infections in medical establishments throughout Brazil. It should be noted that after the first reports of "miraculous" herbal cures appeared in Brazil, the national government ordered a blackout of any more public statements by doctors involved in the research. The silence was finally broken by Alec De Montmorency, who in 1981 published a lengthy review of the ongoing clinical work in Brazil. This report succeeded in stimulating worldwide interest in the plant." 21 "BIGNONIACEAE Bignonia Family, Catalpa Family, Trumpet Vine Family
These trees, lianas and shrubs, almost exclusively of the tropical regions of both hemispheres, number more than 600 species in over 100 genera. Their centre of speciation is in northern South America, where lianas occupy a major place in the tropical vegetation. Many are ornamental, and some are the source of valuable woods.
The family is divided into four tribes based primarily on floral and seed differences.Quinones, pseudoindicans and flavonoids are found throughout the family; occasionally triterpenes, coumarin, alkaloids, tannins and saponins have been reported.
Tabebuia
Tabebuia has approximately 100 species of evergreen trees or shrubs native to the warmer parts of the Americas. Several chemical compounds have been identified in the genus; lapachol is common (Paredes, 1975). The constituents of the following species have been summarized: T. guyacan (Manners, 1977), T pallida (Prakash, 1980a; Prakash, 1980), T. rosea (Nair, 1982) and T. chrysantha (Wasicky, 1967). Naphtho- and anthraquinones have been isolated from tissue cultures of T. lepidota (Cuellar-C., 1979), T. argentea (Inouye, 1982), T. pentaphylla (Rohatgi, 1983) and T. cassinoides (Rao, 1982). Iridoid glycosides have been reported from T. heptaphylla (Bianco, 1983). Antiinflammatory, antimicrobial and antineoplastic activities have been reported for extracts of T. avellanedae (Goncalves de Lima, 1971; Oga, 1969)."