Pau d arco - The Tree of Life

This amazing tree has been growing and flourishing for thousands of years on the slopes of the Andes, well before man ever set foot on this amazing mountain range. And, like many trees and shrubs, it was used by man for healing purposes for many years long before chemistry and pharmacy were even conceived.
Taheebo is the other name for the Ipê or Pau d’Arco tree, which has been used for many hundreds of years in Central America and South America to treat a number of diseases including eczema, candidiasis, fungal infections and even cancer. From the pau d’arco tree, the native people even learned to make a strong, flexible hunting bow, from where we get the name of the tree itself.

Dozens of different species of pau d’arco exist, each distinguished by its leaf configuration and flower colour. The particular tree providing the most health benefits however is the pink flowered Tabebuia heptophylla, which grows mainly in Argentina. The Pau d’Arco we have is the pure extract from, or the bark, of this amazing tree, which is especially rich in a quinone called lapachol which the basis for pau d’arco’s pharmacological effectiveness.The worth and use of taheebo tea extract has been closely related to the importance of quinine, which is taken from the bark of the South American Cinchona tree and is a medicinally accepted treatment for malaria.

The inner bark of the Pau D'Arco tree was one of the major plants used to promote health and immunity among the Incas, and more recently by the Callaways, a traditional tribe of healers who have lived since before the Spanish and Portuguese invasion in the early 1500's. During the past 400 years, the Callaways have occasionally seen and treated white people, but the tree whose miraculous inner bark they used was not officially "discovered" until about 20 years ago by two health practitioners Teodoro Meyer, M.D. and Prats Ruiz, M.D.

Pau d’arco contains a chemical called lapachol, which may provide nutritional support to the immune system. An alternative name for this tea is "Lapacho". Taheebo tea has been found to be helpful with inflammatory diseases, tumours, yeast infections, anaemia, asthma, arteriosclerosis, bronchitis, diabetes, fungal infections, rheumatism, skin problems, ulcers, chronic degenerative conditions and auto-immune conditions.


Dr. Teodoro Meyer, Professor of Botany and Plant Geography of the National University of Tucuman in Argentina, has found that the inner bark of Taheebo possess a wide range of different healing properties. Dr. Meyer has stated that Taheebo has analgesic, sedative, decongestant, diuretic, and blood pressure lowering properties which justify its use for many different ailments.

Inner tree barks hold plenty of medicinal value

It is interesting how the inner barks of many trees hold such strong medicinal value, for example, there is White willow bark from which aspirin was first derived, and is now made chemically. Slippery elm bark powder has been used form over a hundred years by herbalists (and enlightened doctors) as a soothing demulcent herb for many digestive problems such as ulcers, constipation, diarrhoea and reflux. Today, a well known tree bark medicine is Tamoxifen, which comes from the Pacific Yew tree bark. It was originally used to treat ovarian cancer but now is the main drug (derived from a plant) in the prevention of the recurrence of breast cancer.

But perhaps the best know of all tree bark extracts is known by its modern commercial name of pycnogenol. This Pine bark extract was developed by the French researcher Jack Masquelier who has pioneered the use of the extract and grape seed extract which contains even higher concentrations of similar phyto active compounds. The main value of these substances is known to lie in their rich content of oligomeric proanthocyanidins (OPC's - sometimes referred to as PA's or PCO's). They have many potentially valuable health applications - notably enhanced cardiovascular health.
You may be interested in New Zealand pine bark extract called Enzogenol, one of the world's best pine bark extracts.

Benefits of Pau d'Arco tea Strengthens the immune system. Supports the blood. Helps the body replenish vital elements. Improves appetite. Fortifies the body against viruses and germs. Assists the detoxification process.

Making Pau D'Arco tea

Taheebo tea is an excellent source with strong and therapeutically effective agents for acute and chronic fungal and candida yeast infections, cancer and other many other acute and chronic complaints. Always start with a weak cup first and then you could slowly increase the frequency and amount of this you drink. Keep out of reach of Children

Avoid metal when making taheebo tea

The most popular method for consuming Taheebo is by way of a tea. Many South American tribes use the inner bark of the Taheebo tree to make a strong tea. A good tip is that taheebo tea should preferably not be touched by any metals, which will contaminate the brew. Taheebo tea is best simmered in glass or ceramic pot, and filtered through a plastic strainer or a piece of cotton cloth.

There are two different ways to make Pau D'arco tea, either an infusion (steeping the bark like a tea) or a decoction (boiling then simmering)

Infusion

An infusion is a "lighter" way of taking Pau D-Arco, use infusions for a mild case of candida. and I recommend it for Add loose tea (1 to 2 teaspoons per cup, 250ml) to a teapot, or infuser basket.  Pour very hot water (not boiling) over the tea and let it infuse for up to 3 to 5 minutes.  For tea made from bark, roots, seeds, twigs and berries, infuse with boiling water for up to 10 to 15 minutes, for maximum nutrient benefit.  Strain leaves from the teapot be four pouring.  Add honey or a slice of lemon to taste.

Decoction

A decoction is used when you need a more heavy duty dose of Pau D'Arco, such as To make the decoction,  use a tablespoon of the bark and add to 4 cups of boiling water. Boil for 3 - 5 minutes on high then lower heat and simmer for twenty minutes. After twenty minutes, let the tea settle, then strain through a cheesecloth and store in a thermos and used consume accordingly. However, you can drink it cold or warm.

Recognised Anti-Candida Action

In ancient times, the pau d’arco tree amazed the indigenous peoples of South America with its ability to repel parasites and microbes. And an amazing fact is that no fungus ever forms on the pau d’arco tree, even though it grows in the most lush tropical rain forests in the world, it seems impervious to disease unlike most all trees growing around it. I have recommended Pau D'arco tea for many years and found it exceptional for patients who suffer with candida yeast infections. I don't recommend you sweeten it, just start by making a mild cup of tea (infusion) initially with the loose bark. As you become more accustomed to the taste, step it up and make a stronger brew. You will find that one to two cups of day long term will have an incredible effect on your yeast infection in more ways than one. It will help you to have less desire for sweet foods and drinks, which is a real bonus as many candida patients crave sugary foods and drinks which only helps to prolong a yeast infection.

Dr. Jeffrey Andersen, M.D., California medical practitioner, treated a woman with a difficult yeast infection. "Two hours after using the tea as a douche the vaginal yeast infection was cleared up nicely," he says. Dr. Anderson's patients now begin drinking Pau D'Arco tea-1/2 to 1 cup tea per day, increasing to a maintenance dose of 4 cups per day in approximately 1 month.

The native peoples of South America found the incredible "tree of life" has proven to be immune to fungal infections, which makes it a one-of-a-kind among its tree cousins. It can help you with your fungal infection too, just give it a chance and be patient!

Recognised Anti-Tumour Action