pau d'arco

pau d'arco,

an herbal product harvested from an evergreen flowering tree native to Florida, the West Indies, Mexico, and Central/South America.

uses It is used for cancer, inflammation, and infection. It is possibly unsafe when used orally in typical dosages; there are insufficient data regarding its efficacy for any indications.

contraindications For those ignoring the general concerns related to personal safety, it should not be used during pregnancy and lactation, in children less than 18 years of age, or in those with hemophilia, von Willebrand's disease, thrombocytopenia, or known hypersensitivity.

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pau d'arco (pō' därˑ·kō),

n Latin name:
Tabebuia impetiginosa; parts used: bark, heartwood; uses: this herb is controversial. Research suggests that it has antimicrobial, antifungal, and immunostimulant effects and is useful for psoriasis and other skin conditions and as an adjunct treatment for cancer, HIV, liver conditions, diabetes mellitus, and lupus; other studies assert that it is not only relatively useless but also toxic; precautions: pregnancy, lactation, children, hemophilia, von Willebrand's disease, thrombocytopenia, liver and kidney damage at high doses, anticoagulants, active ingredient (lapachol) is possibly toxic. Also called
ipe, ipe roxo, ipes, la pacho, lapacho colorado, lapacho morado, lapachol, purple lapacho, red lapacho, roxo, tajibo, trumpet bush, or
trumpet tree.