Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 1

Pau d'arco (Tabebuia avellanedae, also known as lapacho) has a long history of use in traditional South American herbal medicine, particularly among indigenous peoples of the Amazon. It has been employed for a variety of ailments, including infections, inflammatory conditions, and skin problems. The traditional use of pau d'arco for cold sores (herpes simplex virus infections) stems from its general reputation as an “antiviral” and “antimicrobial” agent. The inner bark of the tree contains naphthoquinones such as lapachol and beta-lapachone, which have demonstrated some in vitro (test tube) antiviral properties. However, there is a lack of high-quality clinical evidence specifically supporting its effectiveness for cold sores in humans.

Most of the support for pau d'arco in treating cold sores comes from traditional herbal texts and anecdotal reports, rather than controlled scientific studies. While some laboratory studies suggest that its active compounds may inhibit the replication of certain viruses, including herpes viruses, these results have not been reliably translated into proven clinical benefit. Safety concerns also exist, as high doses of pau d'arco can be toxic. Therefore, its use for cold sores is justified more by tradition than by rigorous scientific validation, and the evidence supporting its use is weak (rated 1 out of 5).

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