Bill Jone's Blogger Blog: Pau d’ Arco Benefits Range From Reducing Obesity to Heart Disease

Did you know…that a traditional herbal remedy from the bark of an ancient tree called Pau d’ Arco not only reduces obesity, but also cuts your risk of type II diabetes and coronary heart disease?

Tabebuia impetiginosa or Pau d’ Arco is a deciduous tree native to Central and South America. In herbal medicine around the world, the bark and wood of this tree are considered to have properties that are…astringent, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, and anti-fungal.

Pau d’ Arco additional properties include: anti-parasitic, antimicrobial, laxative, analgesic, antioxidant, and anti-cancerous.

Now, German scientists have confirmed that extracts of Tabebuia inhibit absorption of dietary fat, and might reduce obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

The German study of Tabebuia was led by Dr. Nils Roos from the Max Rubner Institute. The study showed that a Tabebuia extract reduced blood triglycerides (a harmful byproduct of fat breakdown) in rats that had been fed a fatty meal.

“This result shows the extract may have a potential use in treating obesity,” said Dr. Roos. “However, as coronary heart disease and diabetes have also been shown to be associated with higher triglyceride levels after eating, we believe a food-supplement based on Tabebuia could reduce the incidence of these diseases, as well.”

Pau d’ Arco The “Mother Tree” of Traditional Remedies for Strength and Vigor

Tabebuia or Pau d’ Arco has a long and well-documented history of medicinal use by the tribes of the rainforest. The Guarani and Tupi Indians call the Tabebuia tree tajy, meaning “to have strength and vigor.”

Traditional remedies drawn from Tabebuia are known by various names including Pau d’arco, lepacho, and pink ipê, among others, and contain naturally occurring and powerful phytochemicals including lapachol (a therapeutic, healing, naphthoquinone).

Throughout the Amazon, Tabebuia extracts have been used to treat conditions such as…

• Malaria
• Anemia
• Colitis
• Respiratory problems
• Colds, cough, and flu
• Fungal infections
• Fever
• Arthritis and rheumatism
• Snakebite
• Poor circulation
• Boils
• Syphilis
• Cancer

In Europe and the United States, Tabebuia-based supplements are most commonly known as Pau d’ Arco, and are used in herbal medicine to treat…