Lapacho, pao d’arco or tabebuia: properties, uses and contraindications

What is lapacho or pao d’arco and what is it for?

He pao d’arco or lapacho (Tabebuia avellanedae, T. impestiginosa, T. altissima) grows in tropical montane forests and Andean slopes in Brazil, Ecuador, Argentina and Paraguay. It is a deciduous tree -or perennial, depending on the species-, which reaches 30 meters in height.

One of the characteristics that makes it more striking is that there are varieties with flowers of all colors: pink, yellow, blue, white, green…

It is becoming more and more popular in herbalists the lapacho or pao d’arco rindsince it is considered a powerful natural antibiotic and antifungal.

Lapacho: medicinal properties

The bark of the pao d’arco is a magnificent remedy anti-infective and antifungal. Naphthoquinones exert a paralyzing effect on the action of viruses, bacteria and fungi, with inhibitory activity on staphylococci and streptococci, candida, salmonella and leishmania.Pao d’arco bark is applied effectively on infected wounds, canker sores, eczema, herpes simplex and boils with pus.It is a natural antibiotic used in respiratory conditions with infectionfrom flu to chronic bronchitis, and in Urinary infectionssuch as cystitis, and inflammation of the prostate.Decoctions, tinctures and ointments with pao d’arco have been indicated in topical application to reduce the pain from arthritic inflammations and gout attacks.As a digestive tonicis also used against colic and diarrheabut at the same time it has the virtue of stimulating the movement of the intestines and colon and favors a comfortable evacuation of feces, for which reason It is also indicated in mild constipation.The pao d’arco is also considered antihemorrhagic, antianemic and hypotensive.

Other uses of the pao d’arco

Recent investigations are trying to demonstrate the validity of this plant to treat different cancerous tumors and leukemia, both in preventive and palliative treatments; however, the dose that should be used to achieve the desired ends is potentially toxic.

Natural remedies with lapacho or pao d’arco

Lapacho to combat pool fungus

one is recommended decoction of two level tablespoons of crushed pao d’arco bark for half a liter of water.

How to prepare it: Boil for 10 minutes and let stand. Once filtered, it is a matter of doing foot (or hand) baths, without rinsing afterwards, repeating the operation for at least 10 days so that it takes effect.

Tisana with lapacho to treat vaginal and oral candidiasis

It combines three parts of pao d’arco to two of sarsaparillaand a tablespoon of the mixture is available per half liter of water.

How to prepare it: Boil the mixture for 5 minutes and leave 10 more at rest.

It is taken before meals, three times a day, in brief and discontinuous periods. This formula exerts an anticoagulant effect, making it incompatible with drug treatment with this prescription.

Lapacho infusion for external use in case of candidiasis

For external use one is prepared more concentrated cooking, boiling for ten minutes two tablespoons of plant in a liter of water. with this water the affected area is washed without rinsing it afterwards.

How lapacho is taken and in what dose

He pao d’arco is in the form of capsules or in jars of fluid extract.

For flu conditions it is recommended to take 3 capsules of 400 mg a day or 15 drops of extract.

There are also disinfectant creams and gels for the skin, which contain the active ingredients of this plant.

Lapacho precautions and contraindications

In high doses pao d’arco can cause nausea, vomiting and gastric bleeding.

It should not be taken during pregnancybecause it is potentially abortifacient, nor during the lactation.

Sometimes, due to its slight anticoagulant action, it can produce a increased blood loss during the menstrual period.

Jordi Cebrian. Advisor: J Mª Teixé, herbalist of “El Manantial de Salud”