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Pau d'arco - A Potent Antiviral Herb that Combats Bacterial and Viral InfectionBy Consumer Health Advocate, Frank Mangano |
Pau d'arco, also called lapacho, taheebo is a large tree that grows in the Amazon rain forest and in tropical areas of South America. It contains phytochemicals including beta-carotene, beta-sitosterol and lapachol.
The medical community began taking notice to Pau d'arco during the 1960s when a doctor by the name of Theodore Meyer learned of the herb from a rain-forest tribe. He then began using it to treat patients suffering from leukemia (cancer of the blood). According to Meyer, five cases of advanced cancer were completely cured by the herb. In South America, a hospital reported that pau d'arco reduced pain and cured tumors in some cancer patients when treated with a tea made from the herb.
Experts have isolated over 20 active chemicals in pau d'arco and it has demonstrated to effectively combat bacterial and viral infections. In laboratory animals, research has shown pau d'arco to increase the supply of oxygen to cells and thereby helping to destroy bacteria, fungi, parasites and viruses by increasing the supply of oxygen to cells.
It also has anti-inflammatory properties, which have made it a recommendation among many for the treatment of allergies, arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. Its medicinal actions include:
- Destroys bacteria
- Destroys fungi
- Blood thinner
- Destroys viruses
- Pain reliever
- Combats free radicals
Pau d'arco influences the activity of the immune system and has been shown to be beneficial in the treatment of many conditions including:
- Cancer
- Candidiasis
- Smoker's Cough
- Warts
- AIDS
- Cardiovascular problems
- Tumors
- Diabetes
- Flu
- Lupus
- Skin Diseases
- Ulcers
- Yeast infections
- Malaria
- Tuberculosis
- Strep
* Important note: Pregnant and lactating women and those taking anticoagulant (blood thinning) medication should avoid using Pau d'arco. The recommended doses are for those over age 18. Always check herb and vitamin use with your child’s health care practitioner prior to administering them.
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