Related Terms

• Anthraquinones, beta-lap, beta-lapachone, Bignonia heptaphylla, Bignoniaceae (family), furanonaphthoquinones, ipe roxo, lapacho (Spanish), lapacho amarillo (Spanish), lapacho colorado (Spanish), lapacho morado (Spanish), lapacho tree, lapachol, naphtho[2,3-b]furan-4,9-dione (compound 1), naphthoquinones, pau de arco, pink ipê, purple lapacho, quercetin, red lapacho, Tabebuia, Tabebuia alba, Tabebuia aurea, Tabebuia avellanedae spp., Tabebuia heptaphylla, Tabebuia impetiginosa spp., Tabebuia ipe, Tabebuia lapacho, Tabebuia palmeri, Tabebuia rosea, Tabebuia serratifolia, taheebo, taheebo tea, Tecoma curialis, tecoma ipe, trumpet bush, yellow lapacho.

Background

• Tabebuia, commonly called taheebo or pau d'arco, is a genus of tropical plants native to the rainforests of Central and Southern America. It has traditionally been used as a folk medicine to treat infections, cancer, blood coagulation, immune problems, inflammatory diseases, and peptic ulcers. High-quality studies on the use of pau d'arco for any condition in humans are currently lacking.

Scientific Evidence

Tradition/Theory

The below uses are based on tradition or scientific theories. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious and should be evaluated by a qualified health care professional.

• Allergies, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet effects, antiviral, arthritis, asthma, atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), bladder infections, boils, bronchitis, colds/flu, cystitis (inflammation of the bladder), diabetes, diarrhea caused by infection, expectorant (dissolves thick mucus), fever, food poisoning, fungal infections, gastritis (swelling of the stomach lining), gonorrhea, Helicobacter pylori infection, hernia, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, HIV, immune disorders, liver disorders, Molluscum contagiosum, pain, parasitic infections (antimalarial), peptic ulcers, pneumonia, prostatitis (swelling of the prostate), rheumatism, ringworm, sarcomas (tumors), staphylococcal infections, streptococcal infections, stomatitis (vesicular), syphilis, tonic, tuberculosis, upper respiratory tract infections (viral), viral infections, wound healing, yeast infection.

Dosing

The below doses are based on scientific research, publications, traditional use, or expert opinion. Many herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested, and safety and effectiveness may not be proven. Brands may be made differently, with variable ingredients, even within the same brand. The below doses may not apply to all products. You should read product labels, and discuss doses with a qualified healthcare provider before starting therapy.

Adults (18 years and older)

• Pau d'arco has been taken as capsules, tablets, a tea, a tincture, and a glycerin-based extract. At this time, there is no proven safe or effective dose in adults.

Children (under 18 years old)

• There is no proven safe or effective dose for pau d'arco in children.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Allergies

• Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or sensitivity to pau d'arco, its constituents, or members of the Bignoniaceae family.

Side Effects and Warnings

• Abortion-inducing effects, diarrhea, discolored urine, dizziness, stomachache, toxic effects on the fetus, toxic effects on the male reproductive system, and vomiting have been reported.

• Use cautiously in patients taking anticancer agents or agents that affect the immune system.

• Avoid in pregnant or nursing women and in women who are trying to become pregnant and their male partners.

• Pau d'arco may increase the risk of bleeding. Avoid in patients with bleeding or blood disorders or those taking drugs, herbs, or supplements that may increase the risk of bleeding or in those having surgery. Dosing adjustments may be necessary.

• Avoid in individuals with a known allergy or sensitivity to pau d'arco, its constituents, or members of the Bignoniaceae family.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

• Pau d'arco may cause harm to fetuses. Use is not recommended in pregnant and breastfeeding women.

Interactions

Most herbs and supplements have not been thoroughly tested for interactions with other herbs, supplements, drugs, or foods. The interactions listed below are based on reports in scientific publications, laboratory experiments, or traditional use. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy.

Interactions with Drugs

• Pau d'arco may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with drugs that increase the risk of bleeding. Some examples include aspirin, anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin®) or heparin, antiplatelet drugs such as clopidogrel (Plavix®), and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin®, Advil®) or naproxen (Naprosyn®, Aleve®).

• Pau d'arco may also interact with agents that affect the immune system, antacids, anticancer agents, anti-inflammatory agents, or ethanol.

Interactions with Herbs and Dietary Supplements

• Pau d'arco may increase the risk of bleeding when taken with herbs and supplements that are believed to increase the risk of bleeding. Multiple cases of bleeding have been reported with the use of Ginkgo biloba, and fewer cases with garlic and saw palmetto. Numerous other agents may theoretically increase the risk of bleeding, although this has not been proven in most cases.

• Pau d'arco may also interact with agents that affect the immune system, antacids, anticancer agents, anti-inflammatory agents, or vitamin K.

Author Information

• This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

References

Natural Standard developed the above evidence-based information based on a thorough systematic review of the available scientific articles. For comprehensive information about alternative and complementary therapies on the professional level, go to www.naturalstandard.com. Selected references are listed below.

1. Bohler T, Nolting J, Gurragchaa P, et al. Tabebuia avellanedae extracts inhibit IL-2-independent T-lymphocyte activation and proliferation. Transpl Immunol 2008;18(4):319-323. View Abstract

2. Byeon SE, Chung JY, Lee YG, et al. In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory effects of taheebo, a water extract from the inner bark of Tabebuia avellanedae. J Ethnopharmacol 2008;119(1):145-152. View Abstract

3. de Cássia da Silveira E Sá R, de Oliveira Guerra M. Reproductive toxicity of lapachol in adult male Wistar rats submitted to short-term treatment. Phytother Res 2007;21(7):658-662. View Abstract

4. Felicio AC, Chang CV, Brandao MA, et al. Fetal growth in rats treated with lapachol. Contraception 2002;66(4):289-293. View Abstract

5. Kim SO, Kwon JI, Jeong YK, et al. Induction of Egr-1 is associated with anti-metastatic and anti-invasive ability of beta-lapachone in human hepatocarcinoma cells. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2007;71(9):2169-2176. View Abstract

6. Kung, H. N., Chien, C. L., Chau, G. Y., Don, M. J., Lu, K. S., and Chau, Y. P. Involvement of NO/cGMP signaling in the apoptotic and anti-angiogenic effects of beta-lapachone on endothelial cells in vitro. J Cell Physiol 2007;211(2):522-532. View Abstract

7. Kung HN, Yang MJ, Chang CF, et al. In vitro and in vivo wound healing-promoting activities of beta-lapachone. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2008;295(4):C931-C943. View Abstract

8. Lee JI, Choi DY, Chung HS, et al. beta-lapachone induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in bladder cancer cells by modulation of Bcl-2 family and activation of caspases. Exp Oncol 2006;28(1):30-35. View Abstract

9. Lemos, T. L., Monte, F. J., Santos, A. K., Fonseca, A. M., Santos, H. S., Oliveira, M. F., Costa, S. M., Pessoa, O. D., and Braz-Filho, R. Quinones from plants of northeastern Brazil: structural diversity, chemical transformations, NMR data and biological activities. Nat.Prod.Res. 5-20-2007;21(6):529-550. View Abstract

10. Queiroz ML, Valadares MC, Torello CO, et al. Comparative studies of the effects of Tabebuia avellanedae bark extract and beta-lapachone on the hematopoietic response of tumour-bearing mice. J Ethnopharmacol 2008;117(2):228-235. View Abstract

11. Silva, T. M., Da Silva, T. G., Martins, R. M., Maia, G. L., Cabral, A. G., Camara, C. A., Agra, M. F., and Barbosa-Filho, J. M. Molluscicidal activities of six species of Bignoniaceae from north-eastern Brazil, as measured against Biomphalaria glabrata under laboratory conditions. Ann.Trop.Med Parasitol. 2007;101(4):359-365. View Abstract

12. Twardowschy A, Freitas CS, Baggio CH, et al. Antiulcerogenic activity of bark extract of Tabebuia avellanedae, Lorentz ex Griseb. J Ethnopharmacol 2008;118(3):455-459. View Abstract

13. Warashina, T., Nagatani, Y., and Noro, T. Constituents from the bark of Tabebuia impetiginosa. Chem.Pharm.Bull.(Tokyo) 2006;54(1):14-20. View Abstract

14. Yamashita, M., Kaneko, M., Iida, A., Tokuda, H., and Nishimura, K. Stereoselective synthesis and cytotoxicity of a cancer chemopreventive naphthoquinone from Tabebuia avellanedae. Bioorg.Med Chem.Lett. 12-1-2007;17(23):6417-6420. View Abstract

15. Woo, H. J., Park, K. Y., Rhu, C. H., Lee, W. H., Choi, B. T., Kim, G. Y., Park, Y. M., and Choi, Y. H. Beta-lapachone, a quinone isolated from Tabebuia avellanedae, induces apoptosis in HepG2 hepatoma cell line through induction of Bax and activation of caspase. J Med Food 2006;9(2):161-168. View Abstract