Pau D'Arco Tea

Wildcrafted Loose Leaf Inner Bark

Product Description

Pau D'Arco (Tabebuia impetiginosa), also known as Lapacho or Taheebo, is an inner bark tea harvested from large deciduous trees native to the rainforests of South America, predominantly Argentina and Brazil. With a history of traditional use spanning centuries among indigenous South American peoples, Pau D'Arco remains one of the most widely used botanical herbs in naturopathic and herbal medicine practice.

This Claridges offering is wildcrafted — meaning the inner bark is harvested from naturally growing trees in their native environment, without the use of agricultural chemicals, herbicides, or pesticides. The wildcrafted status of this product is significant: the bark of Tabebuia impetiginosa contains several naturally occurring phytochemicals, including lapachol, beta-lapachone, xyloidin, and quercetin, whose concentrations are influenced by the growing conditions and the tree's maturity. Wildcrafted material from established trees in native habitat is generally considered to yield a more phytochemically rich bark than cultivated equivalents.

Pau D'Arco is prepared as a decoction — a method of preparation that involves simmering the bark rather than simply steeping it, which is necessary to adequately extract the water-soluble phytochemicals from the dense woody material. The resulting tea has a characteristic earthy, slightly bitter, and mildly astringent flavour.

Traditionally, Pau D'Arco has been used in South American herbal medicine to support general wellbeing, immune function, and gastrointestinal health. In contemporary naturopathic practice, it is most commonly incorporated into protocols supporting gut microbiome balance, with particular interest in its traditionally attributed properties relevant to fungal and microbial balance within the gastrointestinal tract.

What Sets This Product Apart

At 250g of wildcrafted inner bark, this is a generous, practitioner-recommended supply that represents excellent value compared to capsule forms of Pau D'Arco. The loose bark format also allows for flexible dosing and preparation — both as a standalone decoction and as a component of custom herbal blends. Wildcrafted sourcing from the herb's native South American habitat supports both phytochemical quality and traditional authenticity.

Ingredients

Wildcrafted Pau D'Arco inner bark (Tabebuia impetiginosa). No additives, fillers, or preservatives.

Directions for Use — Decoction Method

Add 1–2 teaspoons (approximately 2–4g) of Pau D'Arco inner bark to 250–500ml of cold filtered or spring water in a stainless steel or glass saucepan. Bring to a rolling boil, then reduce the heat and simmer gently for 15–20 minutes with the lid on. Remove from heat, allow to stand for a further 5 minutes, then strain. Consume 1–3 cups daily, or as directed by your healthcare practitioner. Honey or lemon may be added to taste.

Note: Do not use aluminium cookware. Consume freshly prepared decoction within 24 hours; refrigerate if storing.

Allergen Information

Contains no known allergens. Gluten-free, dairy-free, caffeine-free. No artificial colours, flavours, or preservatives.

Cautions: Not recommended during pregnancy or lactation. Pau D'Arco may interact with anticoagulant medications — consult your healthcare practitioner before use if taking warfarin or other blood-thinning agents. High doses are not recommended for extended periods without practitioner supervision. Keep out of reach of children.

Practitioner Note

Recommended by Stephen Roigard, Naturopath & Clinical Nutritionist. Pau D'Arco is a clinically useful herb in naturopathic gastrointestinal protocols, particularly when dysbiosis or microbial imbalance is suspected. The decoction format provides greater phytochemical extraction than capsule or tea-bag preparations, making it the preferred clinical option. The lapachol and beta-lapachone content of Tabebuia impetiginosa has been the subject of research interest; however, clinical dosing considerations apply and extended high-dose use warrants professional supervision. The anticoagulant caution is particularly relevant in patients on warfarin or aspirin therapy.

This product is a traditional herbal preparation intended to support general health and wellbeing. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition. This product has not been evaluated by Medsafe. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a qualified healthcare practitioner.