Synopsis

Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2

Pau d'arco (Tabebuia species) is a traditional herbal remedy from South America, particularly Brazil, where its inner bark has been used for centuries in folk medicine to treat various infections, including fungal diseases such as candidiasis and ringworm. The traditional use is largely based on anecdotal reports and indigenous practices, with the bark brewed into teas or tinctures. The rationale for its use against fungal infections stems from the presence of naphthoquinones (notably lapachol and beta-lapachone), which have demonstrated antifungal activity in laboratory studies.

However, the scientific evidence is limited. While some in vitro (test tube) studies have shown that extracts of pau d’arco can inhibit the growth of fungi like Candida albicans, these effects have not been consistently replicated in clinical trials on humans. The concentrations required to achieve antifungal effects in the lab are often much higher than what is considered safe or achievable in human use. Additionally, well-designed clinical trials evaluating the efficacy of pau d’arco for treating fungal infections in humans are lacking.

Therefore, while pau d’arco is traditionally used for fungal infections and has some preliminary laboratory evidence, there is insufficient clinical evidence to strongly support its effectiveness for this purpose. Its use remains primarily traditional, with a modest evidence rating.

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