Archive for the 'Pau d'arco' Category
The scientific name for Pau d’arco is Tabebuia impetiginosa, Lapacho and Ipe-Roxo. Pau d’arco is native to South America. The preparations derived from bark have been used traditionally to treat bacterial infection, viral infection, fungal infection and in treatment of cancer. Quinones is the main constituent and active ingredient of pau d’arco. 
Lapachol, a naphthoquinone isolated from the tree bark, did not show any effects on patients with non-leukemic tumors. Adverse effects reported include nausea, vomitting, dizziness and anemia. This herb may enhance the activity of anticoagulants.
The beta-lapachone, a quinone compound isolated from Pau d’arco, induces apoptosis in cancer cells through mitochondrial signaling or by activation of caspase and enzymes. Apoptosis is a process which results in the death of the cancer cells. The effectiveness of pau d’arco in treating cancer in humans, as per scientific research, is, as yet, unproven.
Pau d’arco has been said to strengthen and enhance the immune system. This has been observed through anecdotal reports through word-of-mouth over many years. Pau d’arco is best taken in the form of a warm tea.
Accoding to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease which is up to epidemic proportions in the United States. Every year, more than 3 million new cases of this infection are spread and an estimated 50,000 females are rendered sterile by chlamydia.
Symptoms occur within one to three weeks of sexual contact with an infected partner. The symptoms include the following:
- genital inflammation
- vaginal or urethral discharge
- difficulty urinating
- a burning sensation during urination
- painful intercourse
- itching around the inflammed area
These symptoms appear in both men adn women, however, approximately 50% of men and about 75% of women with chlamydia experience little to no symptoms, and, therefore, they do not seek professional help. This is sad because this leads ultimately to sterility in approximately 30% of cases in women and, eventually, hysterectomies are needed in order to stop the spread of this infection. Pelvic inflammatory disease results and the damage done to the reproductive system becomes irreparable. Unfortunately, women who are infected with chlamydia may have a 3 to 5 times higher risk for developing the HIV infection if they are exposed to it.
If you think that you have any of the symptoms of chlamydia, contact your doctor right away. Eat a diet which consists mainly of raw vegetables, nuts and fruits with brkown rice, turkey, white fish and fwhole grains. Drink only steam-distilled water, sugar-free juices and herbal teas. Take acidophilus to replenish the “friendly” bacteria destroyed by antibiotics. Lastly, stay away from highly processed, fried and junk food, as well as chicken. Approximately one-third of all chicken sold in the USA contain pathogenic bacteria such as salmonella. Turkey is good because such dangerous bacteria are not found in turkey.
Also, astragalus, goldenseal, echinacea, pau d’arco 
and red clover aid in healing. Be careful not to take goldenseal on a daily basis for more than one week at a time, and do not use it at all during pregnancy. If you have diabetes, cardiovascular disease or glaucoma, do not take goldenseal unless under the direction of a doctor.
My daughter recently got through a rough time with the H1N1 influenza virus. She had intense and painful muscle cramps. She said it felt like sharp needles digging into her bones. She said “Mom, I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.” I am so thankful that she is almost well now.
The truth is that antibiotics are useless against the flu because influenza is a virus. The best way to get rid of the flu or any other infectious illness is to attack it head-on by strengthening the immune system. The thymus and the adrenal glands are the powerhouses of the immune system. When the body is getting sick, or is already sick, it is under stress, and stress taxes the immune system. Researchers have linked vulnerability to colds and flu to psychological stress.
Astragalus, black cherry, echinacea, ginger, goldenseal, pau d’arco, slippery elm, and yarrow tea are good for influenza. Combining peppermint tea with any of these herbal teas is effective for helping to open up the nasal passages. Echinacea is good for children. Be careful not to take goldenseal internally on a daily basis for more than one week at a time, do not use it during pregnancy, and use it with caution if you are allergic to ragweed.