Pau d’arco, also known as Taheebo, is extracted from the inner bark of several species of Tabebuia trees that grow in Central and South America. The medicinal uses of Pau d’arco (PDA) date back to 1873. PDA has been used in South America to treat a wide range of conditions, including pain, ulcers, arthritis, fever, prostatitis, Candida, osteoarthritis, cough, influenza, herpes, diabetes, ulcers, warts, infections, allergies, and even cancer, particularly cancers of the breast, colon, lung, prostate, and malignant melanoma.
What the Docs Have to Say
Dr. James Duke of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Dr. Norman Fransworth of the University of Illinois have reported PDA contains active substances (such as β-lapachone and lapacho) found to be highly effective against various cancers. Dr Paulo Martin, a Brazilian medical researcher, reported that PDA has powerful antibiotic, virus and cancer-killing properties.[i] The late integrative oncologist Dr. Mitch Gaynor also used Pau d’arco with his cancer patients.
What the Studies Say
Scientists have discovered that compounds in PDA called naphthoquinones (mainly lapachol and beta-lapachone) are the reason for these impressive healing abilities. PDA also contains a significant amount of the antioxidant quercetin, which has been found to inhibit growth of cancer cells, including cancer stem cells. Some of the exciting cancer research on PDA:
- Exhibits selective anti-proliferative effects in carcinoma cell lines, including ER+MCF-7 breast cancer cells[ii]
- Inhibits the growth of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer cells and activates cancer-fighting genes[iii]
- May block estrogen receptors [much like the SERM tamoxifen] as it is a powerful phytoestrogen [iv]
- Effective against some bacteria, fungi, viruses (including Epstein Barr), and parasites that may be involved in cancerous processes
- Induces cell death in prostate cancer lines[v]
- Induces apoptosis independent of P53 expression; notably, over-expression of bcl2, a contributor for a number of cancers – including melanoma, breast, prostate, chronic lymphocytic leukemia, and lung cancer, does not appear to inhibit the B-lapachone in PDA[vi]
- Inhibits angiogenesis, the ability of tumors to make new blood vessels in prostate and other cancers[vii]
- Suppresses the growth and angiogenesis of lung cancer[viii]
- Inhibits the growth of cancer in a wide range of cancers, such as breast, prostate, cervical, liver, lung, and colon* (see Quercetin below)
- Appears to increase the effectiveness of chemo and decreases side effects
Research also shows that the lapachol in PDA may have the ability to stimulate the production of red blood cells in bone marrow, which could be helpful for those with low red blood cell counts (RBC). Pau d’arco is also thought to eliminate toxins in the body and purify the blood.
Enjoy Pau d’arco tea, tincture or capsules. Another good tincture is Pau D’ Arco Plus, which also contains dandelion and red clover. Use of PDA during pregnancy is not advised. A potent herb, PDA should be cycled – meaning a few weeks on and then take a break for a few weeks – or swapped out for another cancer-fighting herb. This is especially important for those taking drugs or herbs that thin the blood or for Candida, as resistant strains of Candida can develop.
Please also read my related published articles:
*Potential Therapeutic Effects of Phytochemicals and Medicinal Herbs for Cancer Prevention and Treatment Contains a discussion on the powerful anticancer effects of quercetin.
Etiology of Chronic Disease: A Discussion on Epstein-Barr Virus
Spotlight on CLA, a Cancer-Fighting Fatty Acid: CLA (Conjugated Linoleic Acid) is a fatty acid found in grass-fed meats and dairy products, but can also be taken in supplement form. CLA suppresses the development of cancer at various levels. CLA has been shown to decrease skin, liver, and colon cancer. Activating protein-1 (AP-1) is one of the main promoters of colon and breast cancer, but it is blocked by CLA (licorice root and rosemary-fresh or essential oil also do this). Human abdominal, breast, and axillary fat have the ability to convert androgens into estrogens. Some studies show CLA helps rid the body of belly fat and may modulate immune and inflammatory responses.
To get an additional $30 off on the Online Course for Breast Cancer, Toxic Free Me, enroll now and use this LINK.
Additional Resources for this article:
- http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/pharmacy/currentstudents/OnCampusPharmDStudents/ExperientialProgram/Documents/nutr_monographs/Monograph-pau_darco.pdf
- https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28586252
- https://stason.org/articles/wellbeing/health/Pau-D-Arco-Taheebo-Immune-Power-from-the-Rain-Forest.html
- https://www.doctorsbeyondmedicine.com/listing/candida-pau-darco
- https://books.google.com/books?id=wP_Aiwi9qN8C&pg=PA90&lpg=PA90&dq=dr+norman+farnsworth+pau+d%27arco&source=bl&ots=UGvN5_8Rnm&sig=ACfU3U12QMDBhn4tC71PRls2FBYrVVgL2Q&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwip7NH3zMblAhVrg-AKHd7-CQ0Q6AEwAHoECAkQAQ#v=onepage&q=dr%20norman%20farnsworth%20pau%20d’arco&f=false
- https://books.google.com/books?id=RIydBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA120&lpg=PA120&dq=dr+norman+farnsworth+pau+d%27arco&source=bl&ots=ZqFrjj9sQr&sig=
In your good health,
Elyn
~~If you don’t know your options, you don’t have any~~
Elyn Jacobs is a breast cancer survivor and holistic cancer strategist who helps people make healthier, less-toxic choices for their healing. She emphasizes the importance of not just surviving cancer, but surviving well and reducing the risk of recurrence. She is a Contributing Editor for The Truth About Cancer and is on the Medical Advisory Board for BeatCancer.Org and the Advisory Board to the Radical Remission Project. Elyn has written for numerous journals and publications. She was the former Executive Director of the Emerald Heart Cancer Foundation and the creator and host of the Survive and Live Well Radio Show. To contact Elyn, visit www.elynjacobs.com. Elyn offers consults via Skype, phone, or in-person. Elyn does not provide online advice.
DISCLAIMER:
Elyn Jacobs does not provide medical advice. The information provided is for general information only. No online site should be used as a substitute for personal medical attention.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a recommendation to forgo medical advice and treatment. This post is not intended to treat, cure, prevent, or diagnose any disease or condition. This post does not represent medical advice nor should it be considered to be medical advice or a replacement for medical advice. I encourage you to discuss this information with your integrative oncologist, naturopathic doctor, or conventional oncologist. The information provided is from my research and not to be taken as scientific evidence.
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[i] https://books.google.com/books?id=RIydBQAAQBAJ&pg=PA120&lpg=PA120&dq=dr+norman+farnsworth+pau+d%27arco&source=bl&ots=ZqFrjj9sQr&sig=
[ii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19578798; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25891355
[iii] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19578798
[iv] http://www.ndhealthfacts.org/wiki/Phytoestrogen
[v] https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/55/17/3712.short; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27048660; http://www.ucdenver.edu/academics/colleges/pharmacy/currentstudents/OnCampusPharmDStudents/ExperientialProgram/Documents/nutr_monographs/Monograph-pau_darco.pdf
[vi] https://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/55/17/3712.short
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