PAU-D-ARCO; WHAT IT IS, BENEFITS, DOSAGE, SIDE EFFECTS-min

PAU-D-ARCO; WHAT IT IS, BENEFITS, DOSAGE, SIDE EFFECTS

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Pau-D-arco is a herbal supplement widely used with infections and inflammations.

If you are a userof herbal supplements, youprobably have come across pau-d-arco. It has continually been used for years in the treatment of various conditions and ailments. This supplement is available as tablets, capsules, and even a liquid extract.

What is Pau-D-Arco?

Pau-D-Arco is a herbal supplement used in various medical conditions. It also refers to the different trees from which you obtain the supplement. These trees are native to the rainforests of Central and South America.

The pau-d-arco tree is dense and can grow up to 125 feet in height. Notably, most of its potential benefits, such as weight loss, inflammation, and infections, can be attributed to the compounds it contains; naphthoquinones. They are mainly obtained from the inner barks of these tree species and is accessed in the form of tablets, capsules, dried bark tea, or bark powder.

Potential Benefits

Helps With Inflammation

Your body responds to injury through inflammation. It is only beneficial in low levels; it could fast escalate to chronic inflammation which is said to be responsible for heart disease andobesity.

Studies conducted on animals using pau-d-arco to test the effect of the supplement were affirmative;these supplementextracts help reduce the production of certain chemicals that trigger inflammation in your body. Other than this, it is thought that the supplement can help treat inflammatory-related conditions such as osteoarthritis.

Generally, studies seem to suggest that pau-d-arco may relieve different inflammatory conditions. However, more studies should be conducted on humans to determine how effective it is in relieving inflammation.

Helps Treat Infections

According to research, pau-d-arco contains antifungal and antibacterial properties that can help in the treatment of infections. Moreover, some studies have been conducted, and the results show that the extracts from pau-d-arco tree bark help protect one from disease-causing organisms.Since most of these studies and research were not conducted on humans, it is still difficult to know the supplement’s effectiveness. treatment of the said .

May Help with Weight Loss

Battling weight gain isn’t easy. It is a welcome idea that pau-d-arco couldbe beneficial.  The available studies on mice showed that its extracts could help inhibitthe production of pancreatic lipase – responsible for absorption of lipids, and thus the body will not absorb fats, hence, fewer calories.

Another study featured mice that were fed on high fat diet. Those who were given this supplement did not gain weight compared to those who weren’t. However, there is still not enough evidence showing how pau-d-arco can help do the same on humans.

The Dosage

There’s really n standard dosage for this supplement. However, any formulation ranging between 50-550mg is safe for use. Since the dosage is this uncontrolled, if you have the supplement in its powder form, maintain the quantity below 1 tablespoon, then add it to a cup full of hot water to make tea. Ensure you strain and sieve before you drink, to get rid of the bark which remains.

Furthermore, if you purchase pau-d-arco supplements or powder, it is good to take it per the manufacturer’s instructions.Typically, they can recommend the liquid extract and suggest 1-2ml of the same thrice a day. The traditional dosage was 2-3 teaspoons of the bark, then simmered in water for 15 minutes. This could be taken as tea thrice daily.

Notably, of all the forms of this supplement, the liquid extracts are recommended the most since they are thought to be more beneficial since they contain many potent compounds of pau-d-arco.

The Side Effects

Up until now, the research conducted on Pau-D-Arco has been insufficient. Therefore, there is still littleknownabout the potential side effects of consuming it. However, the following are some of the commonly reported side effects;

  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness
  • Nausea
  • Diarrhea

This herbal supplement may also slow down the process of blood clotting. This, therefore, means that when taking it, you should take with some anticoagulants or antiplatelet medications. If you consumed Pau-D-Arco before undergoing surgery, chances are, you will bleed more. Therefore, you can stop taking it 2 weeks before your surgery. Moreover, the higher the dosage, the more likely the side effects will be severe.

Nonetheless, there is a group of individuals who should avoid pau-d-arco. Such include; pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children. This is because it is still unclear whether or not it is safe for them to take it.

Additionally, if you have issues with your kidney or liver, you can stay away from this herbal supplement. You wouldn’t want it to interact with any medication you are currently under.Moreover, always consult your healthcare provider before embarking on any herbal medication or in case of any of these side effects.

Conclusion

Pau-d-arco is a herbal supplement that can help in the treatment of various ailments. It is available in different forms, from capsules, tablets, tree barks, and liquid extracts. According to the available research and studies, it can help you deal with inflammations, treat ailments, and even weight loss. Concerning the dosage, it varies depending on the form you are using. However, it would be best if you stuck to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Moreover, you might experience some side effects once you take this supplement. These include vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. Therefore, you might want to talk to your healthcare provider in case of these. Also, children, pregnant women, and nursing mothers should stay away from this herbal supplement.

Crystal Kadir

MS, Durham University
GP

The work of a family doctor includes a wide range of clinical diversity, which requires extensive knowledge and erudition from a specialist. However, I believe that the most important thing for a family doctor is to be human because the cooperation and understanding between the doctor and the patient are crucial in ensuring successful health care. On my days off, I love being in nature. Since childhood, I have been passionate about playing chess and tennis. Whenever I have time off, I enjoy traveling around the world.

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