St. Francis Pau D' Arco Liquid - 100ml

Pau D Arco

Pau D'arco can be used for protection against viral infections, cold sores and skin infections along with more fatal concerns...

The Pau D’Arco tree is a tropical evergreen that grows in Central America, South America and the Caribbean. The medicinal effects of Pau D’Arco are attributed to lapachol. 

Pau D’Arco has been found to have antiviral activity against herpes, the virus that causes cold sores, and anti-protozoal activity against malaria. Topically, Pau D’Arco tea can be used to treat bacterial and fungal infections, insect or snakebites, minor skin injuries and psoriasis.

Pau D’Arco’s most medicinally effective part is the inner bark. Unfortunately harvesting the inner bark often results in the death of the tree. Increased demand for this tree has made Pau D’Arco an endangered species in some South and Central American countries. You may want to inquire as to the harvesting practices the company that provides the raw material for you.

Pau D’Arco supplements are made from a variety of species in the genus Tahebuia. Some supplements are made from the inner bark while others are a mixture of the bark with other less active plant parts. Few Pau D’Arco supplements are standardized to the lapachol content. All of these factors make it difficult to use Pau D’Arco safely. Due to the toxicity of lapachol internal use of Pau D’Arco is best undertaken with the guidance of a health professional. Pau D’Arco is available as dried bark, for tea, and encapsulated tree parts. Tea is traditionally used for its medicinal properties but very few of the medicinally active components of Pau D’Arco are water-soluble. Encapsulated dried bark, that is standardized, is the best supplemental form of Pau D’Arco.

Individuals with active bleeding or blood disorders should not use pau d’arco. Pau D’Arco interacts with blood thinners, aspirin and any herbal product that thins the blood. Pau D’Arco is not safe for use in pregnant and nursing women. High doses of lapachol can lead to anemia, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea and vomiting.

Benefits of Tinctures:
Capsules, soft gels and tablets are very popular. Tinctures, however, have many advantages over these modes of delivery. The bio-availability of tinctures is very high in comparison, because unlike pills tinctures don't rely on digestion to break them down. Tinctures are readily absorbed by the body, beginning their work in the bloodstream almost as soon as they enter the mouth. Which is a very significant benefit. Note also that:
- Tinctures can be applied externally as well as internally
- Tinctures can be stored for long periods of time, even years, without loss of effectiveness
- Tinctures can be taken relatively accurately because they are administered in drops

Why are tinctures alcohol-based?
Not only is the alcohol in St. Francis tinctures indispensable for extracting the active ingredients of an herb, it is also needed to stabilize and preserve them. As well as limiting microbial activity, alcohol has the ability to inhibit enzymatic or hydrolytic reactions in plant extracts.

Alcohol plays the role of a carrier substance conveying active ingredients within the body. Beyond that, it has been scientifically proven that small amounts of alcohol actually enhance the immune system and its defenses.

The amount of alcohol taken in an average dose of tincture, you'll be surprised to learn, is about the same as what you'd find in an overly ripe banana!