Always consult with your Vet before using herbal remedies with other, prescribed, medications.

What actually is it?

Paul D'Arco/Lapacho is a large tree found in rainforests and parts of tropical South America. It grows to 150 feet high and the base of the tree can be 4 to 6 feet in diameter!

Pau D'Arco has a long history of use by the indigenous people of the rainforest. The indigenous people use Pau D'Arco to treat illnesses and diseases, including malaria, anaemia, colitis, respiratory problems, colds, cough, flu, fungal infections, fever, arthritis and rheumatism, snakebite, poor circulation, boils, syphilis, and cancer.

It is said to have many properties for treating problems, such as :

Analgesic, antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-microbial, antioxidant, anti-parasitic, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic, anti-leukemic, anti-rheumatic, anti-carcinomic, antiviral, cytotoxic, immunostimulant and laxative.

It can be used by humans externally and internally for the treatment of illnesses/diseases such as fevers, infections, colds, flu, syphilis, cancer, respiratory problems, skin ulcerations, and boils, dysentery, gastrointestinal problems of all kinds, arthritis, prostatitis, and circulation disturbances.

Other conditions reportedly also helped by Pau D'Arco are lupus, diabetes, ulcers, leukaemia, allergies, liver disease, Hodgkin's Disease, osteomyelitis, Parkinson's disease and psoriasis.

Uses in rats

Abscesses, tumours, anti-inflammatory.

Dosages

Liquid form - two to three drops mixed in with a small amount of food to hide the taste, up to three times daily.

Tablet form (500mg/tablet, hopefully in gelatin capsule form) - 200g daily. Open tablet onto a saucer/container, split into five piles and add one pile to food (eg. baby food).

Toxicity

The biggest ingredient researched in Pau D'Arco is Lapachol, which is said to have anti-cancerous abilities. However, this ingredient appears to be highly toxic when given on it's own, causing nausea, diarrhoea and even anaemia.

References: [13 (25-27)]