The Pau D’arco tree is indigenous to the Amazonian rainforest and has a long history of traditional use for infections, stomach, and bladder problems. Its active ingredient, beta-lapachone, also attracted a lot of attention for its cancer-fighting, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging potential. Read on to learn about all the health benefits of Pau D’arco and the research behind them.<\/p>\n
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The Pau D\u2019arco tree (Tabebuia avellanedae<\/i>) is a large evergreen tree with purple flowers, native to the Amazonian rainforest and South America. Traditional healers make tea from the inner bark of the tree<\/b>, which is known as Taheebo or Lapacho<\/b>. The tea can be consumed as a drink, or used on the skin. Pau D\u2019arco use probably predates the Incas [R+<\/a>].<\/p>\n Pau D\u2019arco received a lot of medical and scientific attention in the 60s. The Brazilian press published sensational stories about it, and claims about a “miraculous cancer cure” started to spread. This attracted researchers from all over to world to investigate what was so special about this Amazonian tree and its extracts. It even attracted the attention of the United States National Cancer Institute.<\/p>\n Scientists then discovered that Pau D’arco has two main cancer-fighting and active compounds <\/b>– lapachol and beta-lapachone <\/b>– named after the traditional preparation<\/b> [R+<\/a>].<\/p>\n The bark extract contains many other active compounds that are now being explored for their antibacterial properties [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n The studies, however, were only done on animals or cells. <\/b>And while there are various anecdotal reports about its benefits in humans, no clinical studies have been carried out.<\/p>\n As the main and most well-researched cancer-fighting component, beta-lapachone can affect numerous biological pathways to combat cancer<\/b>. So far, we know that beta-lapachone may:<\/p>\n Pau D\u2019arco has only been tested in animal and cell-based studies, which means that no clinical evidence supports its use for any conditions. Below is a summary of the existing research, which should guide further investigational efforts. However, the studies listed should not be interpreted as supportive of any health benefit.<\/p>\n This cancer-fighting potential is what attracted researchers to Pau D’arco in the first place. However, it\u2019s still in the animal and cell stage and clinical trials have yet to determine if it may be useful in anticancer therapy.<\/p>\n Do not under any circumstances attempt to replace conventional cancer therapies with Pau D\u2019arco, its active compounds, or any other supplements.<\/b> If you want to use it as a supportive measure, talk to your doctor to avoid any unexpected interactions.<\/p>\n Beta-lapachone revealed to be active against various cancers in cellular studies, such as against human breast, prostate, and leukemia cancer cells<\/b> [R+<\/a>].<\/p>\n The water extract, Taheebo, could kill breast cancer cells by blocking estrogen<\/a> receptors and activating cancer-fighting and detox genes (such as bcl-2<\/a> and CYP1A1<\/a>) [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Beta-lapachone could injure the so-called “heat shock proteins<\/a>” (Hsp<\/a>90), which further blocks a whole cancer pathway. Due to this activity, beta-lapachone could stop cancer cells from spreading, prevent them from making new blood vessels, and trigger their death in both cancer cells and mice with lung cancer<\/b> [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Beta-lapachone could also increase the cancer-killing effects of radiation therapy in mice with head and neck cancers and prolong their survival. It decreased the activity of an important cancer gene (NQO1<\/a>), which is more active in cancer cells than in normal cells. This makes beta-lapachone naturally cancer-specific and opens the possibility to target various cancers [R<\/a>, R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Treatment of human cancer cells with beta-lapachone sensitized an anti-cancer pathway in cells (Prx1)<\/b>. This may make cancer cells vulnerable to oxidative stress<\/a>, which can trigger their death. Beta-lapachone could potentially enhance the effects of conventional cancer treatments [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Beta-lapachone, however, has one major downside: it<\/b>‘s not absorbed well from the gut and is active only for a short time<\/b>. To overcome this, scientists came up with stable nanoparticles that contain both beta-lapachone and another cancer drug<\/b> (paclitaxel). According to them, these particles could kill lung and pancreatic cancer and would be absorbed better [R<\/a>].<\/p>\n Some cancer cells, like colon cancer, can also break down beta-lapachone (via phase II enzymes<\/a>), rendering it inactive. Although cancer cells have less of these detox enzymes than normal cells, this may still explain why beta-lapachone might not be able to fight some cancers [R<\/a>].<\/p>\nHow It Works<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
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Health Benefits of Pau D\u2019arco<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\n
Animal and Cell Research (Lack of Evidence)<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
1) Cancer<\/b><\/span><\/h3>\n
The Good<\/b><\/h4>\n
The Bad<\/b><\/h4>\n