What Is Pau d’Arco?

Pau d’Arco—also known as Lapacho or Taheebo—is derived from the inner bark of the Tabebuia avellanedae or Tabebuia impetiginosa tree, native to the Amazon rainforest and other tropical regions of South America. Traditionally revered by Indigenous healers, Pau d’Arco has been used for centuries as a natural tonic, antimicrobial, and immune-supporting remedy.

Modern research has identified its key active compounds—naphthoquinones such as lapachol and β-lapachone—which exhibit antimicrobial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cytoprotective properties. These constituents position Pau d’Arco as a valuable botanical for immune modulation, detoxification, and cellular balance within integrative and functional medicine frameworks.

How It Works

Pau d’Arco acts through multiple biochemical and cellular pathways that help the body defend, detoxify, and repair. Its naphthoquinone compounds influence oxidative balance, immune activation, and cellular metabolism, making it both protective and restorative.

At the cellular level, Pau d’Arco has been shown to:

• Exert antimicrobial activity against bacteria, fungi (especially Candida species), parasites, and certain viruses

• Regulate inflammatory signaling, by inhibiting NF-κB and COX-2 pathways

• Promote cellular detoxification, supporting liver and lymphatic function

• Enhance mitochondrial respiration and energy metabolism through modulation of NAD⁺-dependent enzymes

• Induce apoptosis in abnormal or stressed cells, while supporting healthy cell repair

• Protect DNA and lipids from oxidative and inflammatory damage

Health Benefits

Extensive traditional use and growing scientific evidence suggest that Pau d’Arco may contribute to:

• Immune system support, enhancing resilience against infections and inflammatory stress

• Antifungal and antimicrobial balance, particularly in cases of Candida overgrowth, chronic sinusitis, or gastrointestinal dysbiosis

• Cellular detoxification and liver protection, aiding in metabolic clearance and antioxidant defense

• Anti-inflammatory benefits, reducing pain, swelling, and oxidative stress in joints and connective tissues

• Adjunctive oncology research, due to β-lapachone’s potential influence on cancer cell metabolism and redox regulation

• Skin and wound healing, through its antimicrobial and tissue-repair properties

• Energy and vitality restoration, by supporting mitochondrial efficiency and systemic resilience

Pau d’Arco’s broad-spectrum bioactivity makes it a key component in immune, detox, and integrative wellness formulations, particularly where chronic inflammation or microbial imbalance is present.

Sources and Supplementation

Pau d’Arco is harvested from the inner bark of mature Tabebuia trees. Sustainable sourcing is critical to ensure ecological preservation and bioactive potency.
It is available in various therapeutic forms, including:

• Tea or decoction, traditionally brewed from the inner bark for daily immune support

• Standardized extracts or capsules, often titrated to specific concentrations of lapachol or naphthoquinones

• Liquid tinctures, for flexible dosing and combination with synergistic botanicals

• Topical preparations, for antifungal or wound-healing applications

For enhanced synergy, Pau d’Arco is often combined with:

• Oregano oil, berberine, or garlic extract, for comprehensive antimicrobial and gut-balancing support

• Curcumin or boswellia, for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant reinforcement

• Milk thistle or alpha-lipoic acid, to strengthen liver detoxification and redox regulation

Summary

Pau d’Arco represents the essence of botanical defense and renewal—a rainforest remedy that unites immune strength, detoxification, and cellular balance.

Through its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant mechanisms, Pau d’Arco supports the body’s ability to cleanse, protect, and regenerate at the molecular level.

In the context of integrative and preventive medicine, Pau d’Arco continues to shine as a holistic adaptogen for immune resilience and vitality—a symbol of how nature’s deep intelligence empowers the human body to restore harmony, strength, and longevity from within.