Thursday, August 27, 2009

Buy Pau D'arco Bark: Get Natural Remedies For Less

By Marvin Graham

Pau d'arco (Tabebuia avellanedae) is native to South America, where reportedly it has been used to treat a wide range of conditions, including pain, arthritis, inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis), fever, dysentery, boils and ulcers, and various cancers.

The herb suddenly rose to fame! A decade later however, the National Cancer Institute determined that the quantity needed of the cancer curing drug in pau d'arco would have too many dangerous side effects. As a result, the "miracle drug" lost its place of prestige.

The same is also true of some of the doses that might be needed to kill bacteria or viruses. If you decide to take pau d'arco, do so only under your doctor's supervision.

First, the research isolated the chemical lapachol in pau d'arco that they felt cured the cancer. Since then Researchers have isolated over 20 active chemicals in pau d'arco. Some feel it is a combination of several or all these together that makes it effective. Second, it has been shown that the use of the whole herb does not create the side effects that extracted lapachol causes.

Pau d'arco has effectively treated malaria, yeast infections, tuberculosis, strep, and dysentery. Pau d' arco in small dosages increases immune system activity and in large doses suppresses some immune responses such as inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory work have given pau d'arco promise as a treatment for arthritis, allergies, ulcers, skin problems, and other similar conditions. Add to that list diabetes, flu, lupus, parasites, and skin diseases, and it is easy to see why it was once toted as a 'wonder drug.'

The herb is especially effective against Candida albicans, the fungus that causes vaginal yeast infections. Writing in the British Journal of Phytotherapy, Dutch herbalist Edward Oswald refers to the method of soaking a tampon in a strong pau d'arco tea while also taking the herb orally.

Most pau d'arco products are not standardized, so it is not possible to determine whether or not they contain an appropriate amount of these active substances. It is important to carefully read the label to make sure that the product actually contains Tabebuia avellanedae as an ingredient.

The use of herbs is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating disease. Herbs, however, can trigger side effects and can interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care, under the supervision of a health care practitioner. Talk to your doctor to determine the proper dose of pau d'arco, because too much can be dangerous. Pregnant and nursing women should not take pau d'arco.

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