Trumpet Tree

About 100 species of deciduous and evergreen, mainly spring-flowering trees and shrubs make up this genus, which occurs in C and S America, and the West Indies. Some species yield very durable hardwoods, known to last hundreds of years in tropical climates; local tribes once made arrows from the wood, as indicated by the name pau d'arco, meaning "bow stick". Several species are grown as ornamentals, producing a fine display of blossoms before the new leaves appear; Tabebuia serratifolia (yellow poui), the national flower of Brazil, is especially popular. The heartwood of T. impetiginosa contains lapachol, a napthoquinone that has antibiotic and anti-tumor effects. Known as ipê, a number of species have long been used medicinally by native South Americans. Some have a reputation for curing cancer; these include T. impetiginosa and T. incana, used by the Campas in Peru, T. rosea (pink poui) by the Mayas in Mexico (and to treat rabies in Guatemala), and T. serratifolia in Colombia. In addition, T. insignis var. monophylla and T. neochrysantha are used to treat stomach ulcers. Tabebuia heptaphylla, and important wood species, is reputedly effective against syphilis.

Pau d'arco, the inner bark of an evergreen tree found in South America, is used traditionally as a tea to treat colds, fungal infections, and other conditions. Possessing disease-fighting compounds called naphthoquinones, pau d'arco has been sold in North America as an alternative treatment for cancer, diabetes, yeast infections, and warts.

Large tree with smooth gray bark and gray-green, papery leaves, divided into 5-7 ovate, pointed leaflets, to 20cm (8in) long. Rose-pink to deep purple flowers to 7cm (3in) long, each with a yellow throat, appear in spring, followed by cylindrical capsules, to 55cm (22in) long.


Common Name:
Trumpet Tree
Other Names:
Ipê, Ipê-Roxa, Lapacho, Lapacho Morado, Pau d'Arco, Taheebo, Trumpet Bush
Botanical Name:
Tabebuia impetiginosa syn. T. avellanedae
Genus:
Tabebuia
Family:
Bignoniaceae
Native Location:
N Mexico to Argentina
Cultivation:
Moist, well-drained, fertile soil in sun. Tabebuias can be grown in containers in cool areas but seldom flower. Young plants can be trimmed in autumn.
Propagation:
By seed sown when ripe at 16°C (61°F); by air layering in spring; by semi-ripe cuttings in summer.
Harvest:
Wood and inner bark are dried for decoctions, powder, tablets, and extraction of active constituents.
Height:
30m (100ft)
Width:
15m (50ft)
Hardiness:
Min. 10-15°C (50-59°F)
History:
This tropical tree, native to, and revered in, Central and South America, has been the subject of intense scientific scrutiny since the 1950s—when its antibiotic properties were first isolated. By 1970, scientists has isolated 20 other chemical compounds with significant therapeutic value, including immune-enhancing, anti-cancer and antitumor actions. "Pau d'arco" is both the name of the tree and the name of the medicinal extract taken from the tree's inner bark, or heartwood. For many centuries, Central and South American native healers used pau d'arco, which they commonly called ip&ecicr;, lapacho, or taheebo, to treat cancer and bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral infections. Today pau d'arco is again being closely studied as a supportive therapy in the treatment of AIDS.
Parts Used:
Wood, inner bark
Properties:
A bitter, pungent, cooling herb that lowers fever, and reduces inflammation. It inhibits many pathogenic organisms, and has anti-cancer effects.
Medicinal Uses:
Internally for inflammatory diseases, chronic degenerative diseases, cancers, tumors, ulcers, cysts, venereal, rheumatic, skin diseases (notably eczema, herpes, and scabies), and fungal infections (especially Candida). Combined with other alterative herbs, such as Echinacea purpurea (See, Purple Coneflower), Panax ginseng (See, Ginseng), and Trifolium pratense (See, Red Clover) in formulas to clear toxins, resolve congestion, and strengthen the immune system.
To treat diarrhea, bladder infections, intestinal parasites, diabetes, asthma, syphilis, boils and wounds.
Pau d'arco has alterative, antibacterial, antibiotic, anticancer, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antiparasitic, antiviral, digestive, and immune-boosting properties. Pau d'arco also increases the supply of oxygen to cells. It is taken internally for allergies, congestion, cysts, debilitation, eczema, herpes, impetigo, indigestion, impaired immune function, rheumatism, parasitic infections, scabies, tumors, venereal infections, and yeast infections. Pau d'arco has also been used as a secondary treatment for AIDS and cancer.
Preparation:
Pau d'arco is available as dried bark and in capsules, teas, and tinctures. To make a decoction, add 1 tablespoon of dried bark to 3 cups of water and boil for 15 minutes. Strain, and drink up to 5 cups a day.
Typical Dose:
A typical daily dose of pau d'arco may range from 1 to 4 gm in capsule form, taken in divided doses.
Possible Side Effects:
Pau d'arco's side effects include nausea, vomiting, and allergic reactions.
Drug Interactions:
Taking pau d'arco with these drugs may increase the risk of bleeding or bruising:
Abciximab, (ReoPro)
Aminosalicylic Acid, (Nemasol Sodium, Paser)
Antithrombin III, (Thrombate III)
Argatroban, (Argatroban)
Aspirin, (Bufferin, Ecotrin)
Aspirin and Dipyridamole, (Aggrenox)
Bivalirudin, (Angiomax)
Choline Magnesium Trisalicylate, (Trilisate)
Choline Salicylate, (Teejel)
Clopidogrel, (Plavix)
Dalteparin, (Fragmin)
Danaparoid, (Orgaran)
Dipyridamole, (Novo-Dipiradol, Persantine)
Enoxaparin, (Lovenox)
Eptifibatide, (Integrillin)
Fondaparinux, (Arixtra)
Heparin, (Hepalean, Hep-Lock)
Indobufen, (Ibustrin)
Lepirudin, (Refludan)
Salsalate, (Amgesix, Salflex)
Ticlopidine, (Alti-Ticlopidine, Ticlid)
Tinzaparin, (Innohep)
Tirofiban, (Aggrastat)
Warfarin, (Coumadin, Jantoven)
Lab Test Alterations:
May increase plasma prothrombin time (PT) and plasma international normalized ration (INR) in those who are also taking warfarin.
Disease Effects:
May worsen bleeding disorders.
Supplement Interactions:
Increased risk of bleeding when used with herbs and supplements that might effect platelet aggregation.
Culinary Uses:
Inner bark is made into a tonic tea, reputedly taken regularly by Mahatma Gandhi.
Economic Uses:
Wood, known as lapacho, is valued for cabinet making.
Warning:
Excess may cause nausea, vomiting, dizziness and diarrhea.
Bibliography:
Encyclopedia of Herbs by Deni Brown Copyright © 1995, 2001 Dorling Kindersley Limited Pg 379
The Essential Herb-Drug-Vitamin Interaction Guide by Geo. T. Grossberg,MD and Barry Fox,PhD Copyright©2007 Barry Fox,PhD. Pp.365-366
The Modern Herbal Primer by Nancy Burke Copyright©2000 Yankee Publishing, Inc. pp. 146-147