Evidence supporting the use of: Lapachol
For the health condition: Infection (viral)
Synopsis
Source of validity: Traditional
Rating (out of 5): 2
Lapachol is a naturally occurring naphthoquinone found in the bark of the Tabebuia tree, commonly known as pau d’arco. Its use for treating or supporting viral infections is primarily rooted in traditional medicine, especially in South American herbal practices where pau d’arco tea has been consumed for centuries for its purported antimicrobial, including antiviral, properties. Scientific investigations have identified some in vitro antiviral activity of lapachol against certain viruses, such as herpes simplex virus and vesicular stomatitis virus. However, most of this evidence comes from laboratory or animal studies, and the results have not yet translated into robust clinical evidence supporting its efficacy or safety in humans for viral infections. Furthermore, lapachol has demonstrated significant toxicity in animal studies, which limits its applicability as a therapeutic agent. Thus, while the traditional use is well established, the scientific validation remains weak and inconclusive at present. There are no high-quality clinical trials supporting lapachol’s use for viral infections, and health authorities do not endorse it for this purpose.
Other ingredients used for Infection (viral)
2'-Fucosyllactoseajoene
alpha-pinene
arabinogalactan
barberry
myrobalan
berberine
Beta-Glucan
betel
black cumin
burdock
cassia bark
cat's claw
Coptis chinensis
turmeric
curcumin
cuspidatum root
diallyl disulfide (DADS)
echinacea purpurea
elderberry
ginger
goldenseal
immunoglobin G
iodine
honeysuckle
L12-myoviridae
lactobacillus paracasei
lactoferrin
lactoperoxidase
lauric acid
licorice root
mangosteen
monolaurin
reishi mushroom
selenium
spirulina
sweet wormwood
T4D-myoviridae
turkey tail mushroom
vitamin A
vitamin C
vitamin D
vitamin D3
xylitol
zinc
sarsaparilla
yellow root
boneset
pistacia integerrima gall
swertia
pau d'arco
yerba santa
oriental arborvitae
eucalyptus
abies spectabilis
geranium
Agarikon Mushroom
Apple Cider Vinegar
Agastache
Agave
Anamu
Alchornea
Asarum heterotropoides
AHCC
Aucubin
Andrographolide
Aureobasidium pullulans
Andrographis
Alsonia scholaris
Acemannan
Alkylglycerols
Alliin
Allium tuberosum
Amor seco
Asarum sieboldii
Artepillin C
Bee Propolis
Babchi
Baphicacanthus cusia
Betulinic acid
Blepharis
Baccharis dracunculifolia
Brazillian peppertree
Bauhinia
Baicalin
Belamcanda
Coriolus mushroom
Carvacrol
Cymbidium goeringii
Casticin
Centipeda
Cistus
Campsiandra angustifolia
Calamus
Coin-leaf desmodium
Dialyzable Leukocyte Extract
European Elder
Echinacea
Fucoidan
Flueggea suffruticosa
Fernbush
Glucan peptides
Globulins
Graviola
Galangin
Gallesia
Golden Shower Tree
Hypericin
Houttuynia
Humic acid
Immunoglobulin G
Ivy
Java Brucea
Kachnar
Knotgrass
Lentinan
Lomatium
Lactococcus rhamnosus
Lichen
Lapachol
Liverwort
Labdanum
Mountain horopito
Marsh Tea
Matapalo Tree
Mangostin
Microtea debilis
Milkweed
Sandalwood
Other health conditions supported by Lapachol
Cancer (natural therapy for)Cancer (prevention)
Infection
Infection (bacterial)
Infection (viral)
Inflammation
Leukemia