Indications

Tabebuia spp. are commonly used in the tropics against infection and cancer. Like Juglans spp. it contains napthoquinones.

Infection
• gastrointestinal infections
• gastric ulcer caused by H. Pylori
• dysentery (infectious diarrhea)
• urinary tract infections (UTI)
• strep throat
• prostatitis
• viral infections
- upper respiratory tract infections (URTI)
- herpes simplex (HSV)
- human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
- mononucleosis - Epstein Barr (EBV)
• fungal infections
- dermatophytes
- candida
• parasitic infections
- malaria
- leishmaniasis

Gastrointestinal
• constipation
• infections

Cancer
• cancer (esp. leukemia) - contains napthoquinones (juglone, plumbagin )

Actions

• Antimicrobial
• Antibacterial
• Antiviral
• Antiparasitic
• Antimalarial
• Anthelmintic
• Astringent
• Vermifuge
• Bitter
• Laxative (mild )

Constituents

• Naphthaquinones (E.g. Lapachol)
• Anthraquinones

Posology

• Tincture: 2-3 ml tid

Cancer: requires significantly higher doses.

Safety

- Generally considered safe when used as indicated.

• Pregnancy & Lactation • contra-indicated. Likely unsafe and insufficent research available.

Interactions

- Iron supplements • may reduce the absorption of non-heme iron. Take iron supplements a few hours apart.

• Blood thinners • pau d'arco may affect the blood's ability to clot, and could interfere with antiplatelet and anticoagulant drugs.

References

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Barnes J, Anderson LA, Phillipson JD. Herbal Medicines, 3rd ed. London: Pharmaceutical Press, 2007.

Bone K. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.

Bone K. A Clinical Guide to Blending Liquid Herbs: Herbal Formulations for the Individual Patient. St Louis, MO: Churchill Livingstone, 2003.

Brinker F. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, 3rd ed. Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications, 2000.

Felter HW, Lloyd JU. King's American Dispensatory. 1898. http://www.ibiblio.org/herbmed/eclectic/kings/main.html. Accessed: August 19, 2006.

Hoffman D. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, Vermont: Healing Arts Press, 2003.

Weiss RF. Herbal Medicine. Beaconsfield, England: Beaconsfield Publishers Ltd, 1988.

Williamson EM, ed. Major Herbs of Ayurveda. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2002