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Pau D’Arco

Pau D'Arco is a huge canopy tree native to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical parts of South and Latin America. It is also commonly called lapacho. T. impetiginosa is known for its attractive purple flowers and often is called “purple lapacho.” It has been the preferred species employed in herbal medicine. It is often referred to by its other botanical name, Tabebuia avellanedae; both refer to the same tree. Other pau d'arco species produce yellow ( T. serratifolia and T. chrysantha ), pink ( T. heptaphylla ), or white ( T. bahamensis ) flowers. Pau D'Arco has a long and well-documented history of use by the indigenous peoples of South America. The name Pau D'Arco locally means “bow-stick,” reflecting the use of pau d'arco wood for centuries by several indigenous tribes of the rainforest to make their hunting bows.

Doctors and healing specialists throughout the world now recommend Pau d'Arco tea for the treatment of many diseases, reflecting a long history in herbal medicine around the world. It has been traditionally used by indigenous cultures for many ailments:

  • it is considered to be antibacterial, antifungal, astringent, anti-inflammatory, and laxative
  • it is used to treat ulcers, syphilis, urinary tract infections, gastrointestinal problems, candida and yeast infections, cancer, diabetes, prostatitis, constipation, allergies, cancer, leukemia, diabetes, candida, rheumatism, arthritis, dysentery, stomatitis, and boils


Pharmacological Information

The chemical compounds and active ingredients of pau d'arco have been well documented, with much research focused on the long reported use treating various types of cancers. The presence of quinoids in pau d'arco is reported have shown the most documented pharmacological activity and are believed to be central to the plants efficacy. Studies in the 1970's largely focused on the ability of one specific quinoid, lapachol, to produce therapeutic effects against cancer. Focus on this and other single phytochemicals is due to the pursuit of patents. Isolated phytochemicals have shown a variety of strong effects on various ailments with highly effective treatments against cancers in laboratory animal testing. These chemicals are present in whole plant teas and decoctions as well, but whole plants are not patentable.
In studies, pau d'arco has demonstrated action against a number of disease-causing microorganisms, which supports its widespread use in herbal medicine. Its constituents have shown strong activity against bacteria, fungi, and yeast like Candida, Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Helicobacter, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and dysentery. In addition to its isolated chemicals, a hot water extract of pau d'arco demonstrated antibacterial actions against Staphylococcus aureus and Helicobacter pylori which is a cause of stomach ulcers. It has also shown activity against various viruses such as influenza, Herpes I and II, and polio. It's antiparasitic properties have been shown against malaria, schistosoma, and trypanosoma. 

Cat’s Claw

Cat's Claw, locally called Una de Gato, is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of South and Central America. It is a vine with thorns that resemble at cat's claw. Extracts from the bark and roots of Cat's Claw is used in treatments for a variety of conditions, mostly gastrointestinal. Cat's Claw has long been used as a homeopathic treatment for intestinal ailments, including: Crohn's disease, gastric ulcers and tumors, parasites, colitis, gastritis, diverticulitis and leaky bowel syndrome.

The immuno-stimulant properties of Cat's Claw help the body fight off infections and protect against degenerative diseases. By stimulating the immune system, it can also improve response to viral and respiratory infections. It has also anti-inflammatory properties which counters the bronchial oedema.

The active substances in Cat's Claw are alkaloids, tannins and several other phytochemicals. Some of the alkaloids have been proven to boost the immune system. Four of its alkaloids have been shown to have a pronounced enhancement effect on phagocytosis (the ability of the white blood cells and macrophages to attack, engulf and digest harmful micro-organisms, foreign matter, and debris). The major alkaloid rhynchophylline has anti-hypertensive effects and may reduce the risk of stroke and heart attack by lowering blood pressure, increasing circulation, reducing heart rate and controlling cholesterol.
Worldwide research done on this powerful herb has led scientists to patent many of the single chemicals found in it for use in healing cancer, arthritis, AIDS, and other diseases. However, traditional wisdom shows that using the whole plant can be far more powerful than any one isolated ingredient.

Essential Living Foods provides Cat’s Claw as a powder or tea cut