Pink Lapacho (Tabebuia Impetiginosa) Herbal Health Treatment

Tabebuia Impetiginosa (Taheebo, Lapacho, Bow Wood, Ipe Roxa, and Purple Trumpet Tree 1 Also, known as Pau D'Arco in South America 3) tough (resistant to cold temperatures from 20 -25 F but prefers protection from prolonged freezes 6) and heavy native tree that grows in Mexico. The tree exported to North America (Pink lapacho is a native Bignoniacease tree of America) and south to Argentina, as well as in southeastern Bolivia. 2 Also, the tree is known to be indigenous to Trinidad and Tobago. 3 The plant grows healthy when the soil is moist ("Water during warm months, less so during cold months." 6), fertile (recommend fertilizing every few years) and exposed to full sun light. 5 "Lapacho flower is large, tubular shaped, its corolla is often pink or magenta, though exceptionally seen white, about 2 inches long." The pink lapacho trunks extend as high as 80 cm width and 30 mm height. The seeds of the plant are stored within the fruit of the pink lapcho appearing as narrow dehiscent capsule. 2 Pruning is recommended after flowering if the tree needs shaping. Diseases can affect the life of the Pau D'Arco.5

The pink lapacho provides a variety of usage: The brownish grey - wood useful as beams or structural usage where needed outdoors. During holidays and other times of the year, the colorful leaves of the plant displayed in ornaments, landscaping (Could be permanently planted in a pot 4), public squares and boulevards. The plant grows beautiful flowers (July and September) and offers variety of medicinal properties (from the inner bark) as an herbal plant. 2 The inner bark of the Tabebuia impetiginosa is shredded, boiled and then extracted as brownish - colored tea. The herb taken as a tea or pill form (tincture) provides health benefits. 3

The Pink Lapacho offers many health benefis: Bark is extracted to treat a flue during cold season and for "curing" smoker's cough. "It apparently works by promoting the lungs to expectorate and free deeply embedded mucus and contaminates during the first three to ten days of treatment. " 2 Native people of South America used the bark of the Pau D'Arco to treat lupus, infections, malignant diseases, wounds, and many other health conditions. Caribbean natives use the leaf of the plant and bark to treat backache, sexual transmitted diseases, toothache, and as an aphrodisiac. Iron deposits in Pau D'Arco contribute to the elimination of wastes from the body and the assimilation of nutrients. Pau D'arco contains Lapachol and beta-lapachone linked to the potency as a commonly prescribed antifungal drug.. "But the powdered herb has been used to treat immune deficiency disorders, cardiovascular problems and may be used to reduce blood pressure." Also, Pau D'Arco bark believed to help lower blood sugar levels, and administered as a mild laxative. 1 'Lets Live published in February 1985: "Over the past 20 years reports from doctors and patients have indicated that this bark, when ingested (usually in tea form), has cured terminal leukemia, arthritis, yeast and fungus infections, arrested pain, stopped athlete foot and cured the common cold." 8 In traditional or ancient medicine Lapacho known to improve the quality of life for cancer and immunodepressed patients, but no substantial scientific evidence or proof has been ascertained. 2

In United States and parts of the Western World obesity has become a major health concern, attributing to increased reports of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes. Scientists continue to discover new treatment options for obesity. Reported in July 2008 (Society for Experimental Biology Annual Meeting in Marseille), German scientists discovered Tabebuia impetiginosa herbal extract inhibit the absorption of dietary fat in animal tests. However, the exact process involving compounds not yet known. The conclusion of the study requires further evaluation: If the herbal supplement could be incorporated into food reducing obesity thus lessoning the risk of developing diabetes and coronary disease. According to the German scientists Dr. Nils Roos and associates, during laboratory testing extract Tabebuia reduce the level of triglycerides (The chemical form in which most fat exists in food as well as in the human body 10): " .. a breakdown product of fat, in rats after they have been fed a fatty meal.". High triglycerides levels indicative after eating a meal, linked to coronary heart disease and diabetes, however could reduced by supplement based on Tabebuia. Dr. Ross ascertains in developing countries where obesity is increasing, less expensive pharmaceutical treatment option, providing a capsule extract from the herbal plant Tabebuia impetiginosa: Reduce obesity and limit the risk of developing diabetes and coronary heart disease. The extract supplement require safety and efficacy testing first in miniature pigs (physiology resembles humans) and eventually moving onto human trials. 7

Pink Lapacho is not recommended for pregnant women or nursing women. When Pink Lapacho is taken beyond recommended dosage ("Take two (2) Capsules, two (2) times a day with water at mealtime") may cause dizziness, bleeding, vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea. Advisable consult a physician before taking the herbal Pink Lapacho when prescribed anti-cancer drugs or chemotherapy is taken. Also, herbal Pink Lapacho cause adverse health concerns for patients taking prescribed blood thinners, because the herb may induce bleeding and should not be taken before surgery. 1

The Purple Trumpet Tree is available for purchase from nurseries and online Web-sites when available (including - http//www.mgonlinestore.com/impetiginosa/). 3 However, consumers should be aware unscrupulous suppliers are sell grinding up worthless outer bark of the Pink Lapacho combined with inner grinds of the bark or not the correct Lapacho tree. 8 "Nearly 100 species of lapacho trees are known, but only a few of these yield high quality material, and it takes extremely skilled gathers to tell the difference." 9 Some worthless shipments sold as Pau d'arco, Taheebo, Ipe Roxo or Lapacho. Only 100% medicinal value is derived from the inner lining (or phloem) of the Red or Purple Lapacho Tree. 8

References:

1.) Pau D' Arco 4:1 - http://www.viable-herbal.com/singles/herbs/s465.htm

2.) Tabebuia impetiginosa - http://www.chemie.de/lexikon/e/Tabebuia_impetiginosa

3.) Tabebuia impetiginosa - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabebuia_impetiginosa

4.) Purple Trumpet Tree - http://www.mgonlinestore.com/impetiginosa/

5.) Tabebuia impetiginosa - http://www.backyardgardener.com/plantname/pda_540f.html

6.) Pink Trumpet Tree - http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/pink_trumpet_tree.htmhttp://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/114256.php

7.) Obesity and Heart Disease May Be Reduced by Herbal Remedy - http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/114256.php

8.) Red-Purple Lapacho or Pau D'Arco or Taheebo - http://www.curezone.com/foods/lapacho.html

9.) Ancient Herb, Modern Miracle - http://www.pau-d-arco.com/Dr.Mowry.html

10.) Triglycerides - http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=4778