Pau d'Arco Inner Bark Powder

Native to the Amazon, pau d’arco is an enormous tree with striking pink trumpet-shaped flowers. Traditionally, pau d’arco wood was used to make bows — hence the Portuguese name meaning “bow stick.” Commercially called ipe, the dense and durable hardwood is popular for outdoor decking and siding, which has led to sustainability concerns. Unlike the wood, the inner bark of pau d’arco trees can be responsibly wildcrafted.

South American tribes as far back as the Incas used pau d’arco as a cure all. An herbal tea made with the inner bark (called lapacho tea or taheebo) has traditionally been used to treat a variety of conditions from fever and dysentery to snake bites and cancer. Pau d’arco is a natural source of lapachol, a compound believed to have anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, anticoagulant and anticancer properties; it is primarily used to treat gastrointestinal inflammation and skin infections like psoriasis and chronic candidiasis.

Pau d’arco inner bark powder is typically encapsulated, tinctured or used in topical formulations like ointments, salves, poultices and creams. Cut and sifted pau d’arco inner bark is also available for decoctions and teas.