Pau D'arco Tea: 7 Benefits & Uses

Pau d’arco tea comes from the bark and wood of an evergreen tree of the same name. The bark and wood are used externally and internally for a variety of medical conditions. For example, pau d'arco tea benefits include treating arthritis, lowering inflammation, and fighting cancer, to name a few. Learn more about this potent, healing tea below.

Here are 7 pau d’arco tea benefits:

1. Reduces Pain

Pau d’arco tea benefits start with the ability to reduce pain, including pain from arthritis. However, in particular, this tea can help alleviate pain associated with cancer and other serious health conditions. A 2001 study found that when tested on mice, pau d’arco extract reduced the sensory process that leads to signaling pain. (1)

2. Fights Candida

Also on the list of pau d’arco tea benefits is helping the body fight candida, which is a yeast infection that can cause several health problems. (2) In fact, if you’re suffering from headaches, hyperactivity, stomach problems, an inability to concentrate, sugar addiction, or chronic fatigue syndrome, your body may be overproducing candida, as all of those items are candida symptoms. Left untreated, this can lead to more serious conditions. Reap pau d’arco benefits, such as protecting your body from candida overgrowth, by making it a part of a candida diet.

3. Reduces Inflammation

Pau d’arco tea benefits also includes reducing inflammation. This can help your body fight several illnesses, as inflammation is the cause of many diseases. In fact, a 2014 study published in The Journal of Toxicological Sciences discovered that pau d’arco increased Nrf2-target genes in the intestine. Nrf2 is a protein that helps fight against oxidative damage that is brought on by injury and inflammation. (3)

4. Heals Ulcers

Next on the list of pau d’arco tea benefits is the possibility to treat ulcers. Peptic ulcers are painful sores that line the stomach. However, one study shows that pau d’arco can accelerate ulcer healing in rats, suggesting it may be a viable treatment for ulcers in humans as well. (4) To help reduce ulcer symptoms, consider adding this tea to your treatment plan.

5. Fights Cancer

One of the more well-known pau d’arco tea benefits is the strong capability to fight cancer as well as relieve cancer-related pain. Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston conducted a study in which researchers found that pau d’arco serves well along side chemotherapy, especially for prostate cancer treatment. This is due to a compound within pau d’arco called beta-Lapachone. (5) Another study found that this compound is one of a few novel anticancer drugs currently being tested. It killed cancer cells in mice, and the mice did not seem to be negatively affected. (6)

6. Provides Antiviral & Antifungal Properties

Pau d’arco tea benefits also include potent antiviral and antifungal agents. The beta-lapochone present in pau d’arco can help fight everything from the common cold to leukemia. It inhibits the enzymes in virus cells, which stops these cells from replicating or infecting other cells. Due to the antibacterial properties, pau d’arco tea benefits also include fight skin infections and wounds.

7. Detoxifies the Body and Boosts Metabolism

As it can stimulate the digestive system and act as a laxative, pau d’arco tea benefits also include detoxifying the body. It can remove toxins just as heavy metals, pesticides, preservatives, and residue from chemotherapy as well. Furthermore, as pau d’arco tea contains selenium, it can boost metabolism.

Caution:

High doses of pau d’arco may be unsafe. It can lead to nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness and internal bleeding. Be sure to keep track of your doses and speak to your doctor if you see any of those side effects. Furthermore, women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should not use pau d’arco, as there is insufficient information regarding its safety. Pau d’arco can also delay clotting and therefore interfere with treatment of bleeding disorders. It may increase chances of bruising as well as bleeding during and after surgery. Stop using it at least two weeks before a scheduled surgery and avoid using blood-clotting medications while using pau d’arco tea.