Pau d’arco contains alkaloids, quercetin, napthaquinones, anthraquinones, and flavonoids.
Lapachol, one of the naphthaquinones, has been found to be effective against malaria and some types of tumor cells in studies with laboratory animals.
The heartwood of Tabebuia aqvellaneda contains napthaquinones and significant amounts of quercetin, which are thought to stimulate the immune system, cleanse the body and stimulate the production of red blood cells.
Most pau d’arco products are not standardized, and there is considerable variation in the active compounds found in the tree, depending on the species.
A number of species of pau d’arco are sold as herbal remedies, which may in part account for the variance in their effectiveness and quality. Most of the research has been done on the wood but at this time little research has been done on the health properties of the bark.
Pau d’arco is considered to be analgesic, antioxidant, antiparasitic, antimicrobial, antiviral, astringent, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, and laxative.
It is thought to have anti-cancerous properties.
Pau d’arco has a long history as an important traditional herbal remedy among the ancient Incas and natives of the South American rain forests as a tonic to strengthen the body and improve overall health.
Traditional folk healers of the Caribbean use the leaves and bark to treat wounds, backache, toothache, and snakebite.
Indigenous people traditionally used pau d’arco as a treatment for malaria, colitis, respiratory problems, colds, cough, flu, fever, cancer, lupus, infectious diseases, inflammation of the prostate gland, sexually transmitted diseases, boils and ulcers.
Pau d’arco is used as a natural remedy for high blood pressure, poor circulation, and anemia, and is thought to protect against cardiovascular disease.
In the herbal medicine systems of the United States and Europe, the herb has been used as an herbal remedy for psoriasis, liver disease, Hodgkin’s disease, osteomyelitis, Parkinson’s disease, and allergies.
Pau d’arco is a popular herbal remedy for yeast infections or candida.
A decoction of the herb has also been used as a topical treatment for athlete’s foot, nail fungus and skin fungi.
Pau d’arco and its chemical constituents have demonstrated in vitro antiviral properties against, among others, Herpes I and II, influenza, poliovirus, and vesicular stomatitis virus.