6 Reasons To Start Drinking Pau D’ Arco Tea - What Are The Health Benefits?
Have you heard about Pau D' Arco yet? If not, then it’s worth knowing that Pau D'Arco is an incredible herbal supplement made from the inner bark of Tabebuia trees that is often overlooked in the health world but deserves more attention.
Its name, “Pau d'arco” is translated into “bow stick or tree” in Portuguese, which is an appropriate term considering the tree was used by the native South Americans for making hunting bows and arrows.
While powerhouse spice turmeric is the trendiest herbal supplement out there right now (for good reason, considering this amazing spice is practically Ayurvedic medicine powdered gold), we can’t go overlooking the excellent and life-changing health benefits you could be receiving from other herbs and spices like that of the amazing Pau D’Arco.
Also known as Red Lapacho and Taheebo, this not-so-famous herb is native to the Amazon rainforest of Brazil and the rainforests of Central and South America, where the bark and wood have been used for centuries by the indigenous people as a medicine for treating a plethora of conditions.
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The use of Pau D'Arco among the indigenous people of the rainforest may even pre-date the Inca Empire, with tribes that lived thousands of miles apart using this herb for the same medicinal purposes. The Incas in particular treasured Pau D'Arco herbal tea and saw Tabebuia trees as divine, giving this herb a godlike status in their culture.
Some common ailments that the indigenous people of the rainforests used Pau D'Arco as treatment for included: malaria, respiratory illness, coughs, yeast and fungal infections, cases of flu, colds, fever, arthritis, and circulatory problems. While, of course, Pau D’Arco isn’t a cure-all for these ailments, this herb has remarkably potent healing properties, especially for your immune system and for modulating inflammation.
Furthermore, another unbelievable Pau D’Arco benefit is that it has an active ingredient called beta-lapachone which has cancer-fighting, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging potential. This chemical compound also lends an antifungal, antiviral, and antifungal effect to Pau D’Arco.
You see, while Pau D’Arco doesn't have the popularity of health-boosting plants like turmeric and cinnamon, it has some impressive medicinal effects that deserve their time in the health spotlight. So, today we’re going to be looking at the benefits of Pau D’Arco and the uses of this ancient remedy.
1. Anti-Inflammatory and Allergy Reduction
Research shows Pau D'Arco can inhibit the release of the chemicals that initiate inflammation in your body. Of course, low levels of inflammation are not necessarily a bad thing, but chronic low-grade inflammation can be a silent killer and may continually contribute to an increased risk of diseases like cardiovascular disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and even cancer.
A 2008 study reported that tea made from the Tabebuia (Pau D’Arco) tree’s inner bark may subdue the production of prostaglandins which is a group of inflammatory lipids that are made at sites of tissue damage or infection. Another study comparing Pau D’Arco to a placebo found that the inner significantly blocked inflammation-related pains and inhibited inflammation by 30-50% when compared to a placebo.
Pau D’Arco is also rich in the flavonoid quercetin, which is commonly used by naturopathic doctors for easing allergies and other conditions. Yep, Pau D’arco may be able to quell allergies. Research with mice showed that this herb reduced substances that are involved in causing inflammation and allergies, such as histamine and IFN-gamma (Th1).
2. Provides Antibacterial Properties
Research has shown Pau D’arco to have antibacterial and antifungal abilities. Pau D’Arco tea may have a hand in helping all kinds of bacterial and fungal illnesses from the flu to the AIDS virus. There are different theories as to the exact methods of how Pau D’Arco’s healing works, but it’s believed to contain several compounds that work to inhibit the processes that bacteria and fungi need to produce energy.
Both vivo “within a living organism” and vitro “in glass” studies have shown Pau D’Arco to actively inhibit or kill the growth of some dangerous and life-threatening viruses, such as herpes, polio, and leukemia.
Furthermore, because of these antifungal and antibacterial properties, Pau D’Arco tea also can contribute to the healing of swelling from skin infections and irritations.
3. Weight-Loss Boosting
When paired with a sensible diet and physical activity, Pau D’Arco may be able to boost your weight loss results.
In a 16-week study of overweight mice, the mice fed Taheebo aka Pau D’Arco lost significantly more weight and body fat than those given a placebo. Studies in mice have also demonstrated how Taheebo can reduce the triglycerides in fat cells, reducing fat digestion — resulting in fewer absorbed calories and preventing fat accumulation.
4. Brain Protection
Remember the compound that Taheebo contains called beta-lapachone, we mentioned earlier? Well, turns out this compound has some serious brain-boosting capabilities.
Beta-lapachone can “suppresses neuroinflammation by modulating the expression of cytokines and matrix metalloproteinases in activated microgli”(1) reducing your risk of chronic pain, fatigue, and depression. It may also be able to protect your mitochondria, which are your membrane-bound cell organelles in charge of creating most of the chemical energy needed to power the cell's biochemical reactions. Said simply your mitochondria are the powerhouse of your cells. So, it could also support your brain function.
5. Protects Against Candida
Pau D’Arco doesn’t just prevent infections like the common cold but can also help the body fight candida also known as candidiasis. In case you didn’t know, candida is a common fungal infection caused by yeast that has been shown to contribute to many health problems.
Yeast in normal amounts is usually harmless and produced in the mouth, intestinal tract, and vagina; however, if the body’s pH balance is stabilized, candida symptoms can start to form and quickly worsen. When left to grow out of control, candida will weaken the immune system, leading to serious diseases.
Another cool thing about Taheebo is that research has shown that it may be able to halt the production and spread of a few different strains of bad gut bacteria, without harming healthy gut flora.
6. Detoxifies the Body
Pau D’Arco tea consumption is a great way to remove harmful toxic substances and detox your body. Toxins such as air pollution, heavy metals, pesticides, preservatives, and cleaning chemicals residue, are flushed from blood vessels, cells, organs, and the lymphatic system, letting the body function more efficiently and reset.
By having a laxative and digestive stimulating effect, Pau D’Arco tea helps rid the body of the toxins and helps keep food running through your colon properly.
How To Enjoy Pau D' Arco’s Benefits
It may not have the same fan fair as Turmeric, but Pau D’Arco surely has proven its incredible abilities and benefits. Now, what is the best way to enjoy these benefits?
Well, Pau D’Arco can be found as herbs, extracts, and capsule forms. Moreover, you know the phrase “too much of a good thing,” well that also applies to this herb, be wary to not consume too high of doses as that can cause toxic effects such as nausea and vomiting.
Personally, our favorite and the most common way to consume Taheebo is when it's added to tea. Actually, Pau D' Arco is one of the main ingredients in Wise Ape's Coconut Warrior tea. Combined with Assam black tea, coconut, turmeric, and cinnamon, this tea provides superb antioxidant protection along with a healthy dose of microbial support.
Want to be wise like the Incas? Enjoy the pau d' arco tea benefits by sipping some Coconut Warrior today and tap into your inner warrior!
What Do You Love About Pau D' Arco's Benefits?
Let us know your thoughts on Instagram at @WiseApeCo and/or use the hashtag #WiseApeTribe and we’ll share it!
This informative article is written, by Sophia McKenzie. Sophia is head content creator and writer, for several premium websites, where her expertise lies in health, nutrition, and wellness. Her content focuses on providing and sharing doable solutions to help people truly thrive and live their happiest, healthiest, fulfilled lives.
