Pau d'Arco
StarHandroanthus impetiginosus (Mart. ex DC.) Mattos
☯ TCM Properties
Drains Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao; Clears and Eliminates Damp-Heat from the skin; Dissolves Damp Toxins; Invigorates Qi and Blood (anti-tumor)
Traditional Chinese Uses
Pau d'Arco (lapacho) is the inner bark of the South American tree Handroanthus impetiginosus (formerly Tabebuia impetiginosa/avellanedae). It is not part of the classical Chinese materia medica but has been adopted into modern Western herbal and integrative practice, where it is described in TCM terms as neutral and sweet-salty, entering the Stomach, Spleen, Bladder and Liver channels. In this framework it is used to drain Damp-Heat from the Lower Jiao, to clear Damp-Heat and toxins from the skin in conditions such as fungal infections, eczema and sores, and—on the strength of its naphthoquinones (lapachol, beta-lapachone)—has been explored for anti-tumour and antimicrobial effects.
Traditionally in South America the bark decoction was taken for infections, inflammation, fever and cancer. Evidence for these uses is largely preliminary, and high or prolonged doses can cause nausea, gastrointestinal upset and a bleeding tendency.
Botanical Description
The name Ban Zhen Zhong Hua Shu (literally something like 'spotted-needle middle-flower tree') does not match any standard Chinese materia medica reference verifiable to the editor at the time of this record. The phrase may represent a regional folk name, a transcription variant, a non-medicinal botanical name carried over from a generic plant database, or a corrupted or composite entry. Without a confident pinyin-to-Latin binomial mapping, no botanical description, habitat data, or morphological characters can be responsibly provided. The record is retained as a placeholder pending further bibliographic research, possible cross-referencing to provincial Chinese floras, or correction of the source pinyin string. All medicinal-attribute fields are left null to avoid fabrication of identification or properties.
Dosage
| Form | Amount | Frequency | Duration | Population | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| decoction | 6-15g | Daily | — | — | — |
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
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