GENERAL IMMUNITY

Pau d'Arco

Handroanthus impetiginosus

also known as lapacho, taheebo

Moderate (traditional) / weak (modern clinical)

The inner bark of a South American tree, used by Indigenous peoples of the Amazon and Andes for hundreds of years. Pau d'arco has been associated with everything from infections to inflammation to cancer in traditional use. Modern lab research finds real activity from its compounds — but human clinical trials are limited, and the bigger marketing claims have run ahead of the evidence.

Traditionally associated with antifungal action — particularly for candida and skin fungal infections
Long Indigenous South American use for fevers, infections, inflammation, and as a general tonic
Lapachol and beta-lapachone (the most-studied compounds) show antimicrobial, antiparasitic, and anti-cancer activity in laboratory research
Anti-inflammatory action documented in animal studies
Beta-lapachone has been studied as a starting point for cancer drug development
Modern human clinical trials for the bigger claims are limited — most evidence is traditional and laboratory

Has mild blood-thinning action — caution with blood thinners and before surgery

Stop two weeks before any surgery

Can cause nausea, dizziness, and digestive upset, especially at higher doses

Skip during pregnancy — can stimulate the uterus

Skip during nursing

Use caution with anemia — long-term use may affect red blood cell production

Use caution combining with other immune-stimulating herbs

Marketing claims for cancer treatment in particular have been the subject of regulatory scrutiny — credible reference works treat those claims as preliminary, not proven

Memorial Sloan Kettering About Herbs · EMA Herbal Medicinal Product Monographs · American Botanical Council HerbMedPro

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