Though it has been used for centuries, its fame really began in the 1960's. Dr. Theodore Meyer learned about the use of pau d'arco (pronounced powdy arco) by natives of the tropical rain forest of the Amazon. They had used the inner bark of this hardwood tree as a medicine. Dr. Meyer followed their lead and claimed he successfully cured five advanced cases of leukemia with it. The herb suddenly rose to fame! A decade later however, the National Cancer Institute determined that the quantity needed of the cancer curing drug in pau d arco would have too many dangerous side effects. As a result, the "miracle drug" lost its place of prestige.

However, not everyone was quick to write it off as a bad dream. Some continued to use it to treat infections, arthritis, malaria, fevers, skin problems, cancers, and even complications from AIDS. Had the research been flawed? It was not flawed but incomplete, for two reasons.

First, the research isolated the chemical lapachol in pau d'arco that they felt cured the cancer. Since then Researchers have isolated over 20 active chemicals in pau d'arco. Some feel it is a combination of several or all these together that makes it effective. Second, it has been shown that the use of the whole herb does not create the side effects that extracted lapachol causes.

So what's so good about this herb that no one can pronounce? In large doses, it is excellent for reducing inflammation and other immune responses. Therefore, it is used to treat arthritis, ulcers, skin problems, allergies, and the like. In small doses it increases immune responses. Pau d'arco's trophy case contains success stories in treating diabetes, lupus, flu, skin diseases, parasites, malaria, yeast infections, tuberculosis, strep, and dysentery. It does indeed sound like a miracle drug!

Pau d'arco is available in health food stores in capsules, tinctures, and as dried bark. The recommended dosage is one to two capsules or one to two droppers of tincture taken one to four times per day, depending on the condition and patient.

Tea can be made from the bark by adding one tbsp of bark for every three cups of water. The tea should be boiled for twenty minutes or longer in a non-aluminum pot. One cup of tea can be taken three or four times daily for acute conditions. One-half cup three or four times daily is recommended for other conditions. Pau d'arco tea has a cool, bitter flavor.

How can someone be sure they are getting the genuine article? This is a real concern in light of the fact that some pau d'arco has been tested and found lacking many of the life-giving ingredients that made it famous. In general, that grown in Argentina is considered best. Also, some health cautions are in order. Lacking sufficient testing as to its effect on infants, pau d'arco should be shunned by pregnant and lactating mothers. Long term effects have included anemia and its blood thinning capabilities make it advisable to avoid before surgery. Other problems some have reported include dizziness, nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps.