Lapacho
- Also known as Pau D\'arcoStudies undertaken by the U.S. National Cancer Institute and other organizations during the 1960s and 1970s showed that pau d’arco had strong anticancer effects.
Generally, the results of laboratory, animal, and human studies showed that pau d’arco may prevent, delay, or treat cancer; but the oral doses needed to reach useful levels in the blood also cause severe side effects. Research for the anticancer effects of pau d’arco was discontinued in the United States, although such studies may continue in other parts of the world.
In the laboratory, chemicals derived from pau d’arco, have been studied for treating a number of conditions other than cancer. One chemical known as lapachol has been shown active against the parasite that causes malaria.
Lapachol also seems to inhibit herpes simplex, the virus that causes cold sores. At low doses, chemicals in pau d’arco may help to activate the immune system; but higher doses appear to have an immune-weakening effect.
Currently, more effective oral medicines with fewer side effects are available to treat malaria and cold sores, but lapachol and other chemicals in pau d’arco may be active against other parasites and viruses. Much more study is needed for their potential oral use. At this time, therefore, oral pau d’arco is not recommended for treating any medical condition.
Typically, pau d’arco appears to have varying amounts of antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, and antiviral properties. It may be anti-inflammatory, as well; but none of these potential topical uses have been well-studied. In South America, pau d’arco is used tYpically to treat insect or snake bites, minor skin injuries, and more serious conditions such as psoriasis.
Reference: http://www.drugdigest.org/DD/DVH/HerbsWho/0,3923,552793%7CLapacho,00.html
Disclaimer: The benefits of tea are based on the thousands of years of human practices. However, please consult your doctors for any scientific approves. Teas are not the substitues of your medicinces.