It’s not every day you hear about a plant called pink ipe tree – but in our functional medicine clinic in Toronto, we offer education to patients about holistic treatments, including how to use herbs. 

Pink trumpet tree is also called ant wood, Ipe, pau d’arco, or purple tabebuia. Its formally called Tabebuia impetiginosa or pink ipê; the name is derived from the native Brazilian language to represent its use for treating impetigo, a contagious skin disorder. 

Donning blossoms in the Amazon rainforest, the bark, wood and leaves of this tree are revered for its health benefits. In Brazil, it was traditionally used to treat snake venom bites; and healers from the Caribbean use pink trumpet trees for body aches.

From its positive effects on inflammatory conditions to its antifungal properties, pau d’arco holds an impressive role in the herbal world! The Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) highlights facts about this medicinal plant, why you should seek advice from a functional provider before trying it, and how to reach our functional medicine clinic in Toronto. 

7 Things to Know About pau d’arco

1. 1. This plant contains nourishing, anti-inflammatory fatty acids. These are nutrients that contribute to improving and supporting cardiovascular health, cholesterol levels, cognitive function, eye functioning (i.e. managing macular degeneration), and skin health. 
   2. Additionally, it contains significant amounts of quercetin. Quercetin is a type of flavonoid that acts as an antioxidant. Antioxidants can scavenge for free radicals that are known to cause premature aging, cellular damage and chronic inflammation.
   3. The pau d’arco tree also contains beta-lapachone, a compound with anti-tumor effects. In labs, beta-lapachone has been shown to cease tumor cell growth related to lung and pancreatic cancers.
   4. Beta-lapachone has antifungal properties, which scientists say may be valuable for managing future infectious conditions. Beta-lapachone from the pink trumpet tree is also neuroprotective and has the ability to lessen oxidative damage. Thus, the herb “… holds potential for the management of conditions like heart disease, dementia, and Parkinson’s disease,” confirms Healthline.
   5. Further studies are needed, though its antifungal properties have demonstrated promising effects in labs. In a 2020 study of patients with recurring vaginal yeast infections, a treatment with hydroxytyrosol and the Tabebuia plant was provided for three months. During this time, 49 out of 60 patients did not experience any yeast infections.
   6. Tabebuia impetiginosa or pink ipê could potentially help manage some autoimmune conditions, as it’s been researched for its impact on psoriasis. A Molecules study showed that Lapacho, a natural element from the plant’s bark, may inhibit the “… growth of the human keratinocyte cell line and could be promising as an effective anti-psoriatic agent.”
   7. Supplementation with pink ipe tree is available in the form of tea, powder, tincture, capsules or tablets. A functional healthcare provider can help determine which supplement route is suitable for your needs. 

Understanding Your Use of Herbs for Optimal Wellness

“Plants, herbs, and ethnobotanicals have been used since the early days of humankind and are still used throughout the world for health promotion and treatment of disease,” states the Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 

However, a consultation with a functional health practitioner should be completed before trying new medicinal plants and herbs, especially to prevent medication interactions. In fact, there are cases in which herbs can exacerbate cancer symptoms or impact the effectiveness of cancer medications. 

A functional health provider is trained to reflect on your current health status, medications, and lifestyle factors – if pink ipe tree is not suitable for your biology, this health practitioner may recommend other herbs and/or treatment modalities. 

Regarding pau d’arco tree itself, it should be avoided during pregnancy and it may interact with blood thinners; if you’re about to undergo surgery, stop taking the herb a few weeks before your procedure. Depending on your current health status, ingesting the plant may also affect how you metabolize vitamin K. Though the herb has impressive roles in several health challenges, we should continue to be mindful of potential positive or negative effects. Reach our functional medicine clinic if you have any queries about herbal medicine.

Choose the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre

If you’re seeking additional insight into your health, a personalized medicine approach may help target chronic symptoms. 

Our integrative and functional medicine therapies are adapted for your chief health concerns, including cognitive decline, infertility, digestive issues, fatigue, chronic pain, poor hormonal health (i.e. estrogen dominance), and other wellness issues. Our team has extensive experience in the health industry with over 50 years of experience combined! Since opening our clinic in 2012, we’ve expanded with additional clinicians and treatment modalities. We frequently integrate Western medicine with herbal remedies, acupuncture, holistic nutrition, IV therapy, naturopathic medicine and homeopathic medicine. 

Suggested Reading: When To Get Your Gut Checked With Toronto Functional Medicine Testing 

To tailor your treatment plan, we may recommend functional medicine testing. This is in adherence to the functional medicine model, which advocates for an individualized approach to health. These lab tests are tools for scrutinizing various aspects of your body, such as brain health, the gut microbiome, hormone imbalances, and chemical exposures. As we are a collaborative, patient-centered clinic, we set aside time to explain how lab tests work and how results are reported and interpreted.  

Finally, let us know how we can further support you! Our clinic is also affiliated with the Canadian Centres for Regenerative Therapy and Athlete’s Care Sports Medicine Centres, so you may be introduced to an array of treatment options. 

Take control of your health with functional lab tests and a personalized treatment plan. Discover the health benefits of our herbal medicine and holistic treatments – just click here to reach us, it’s that simple!

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media. 

 

References

“All About Pau D’Arco, an Herbal Ingredient Found in Supplements” from VeryWell Health, updated September 29, 2024, viewed on October 1, 2024. 

Gomes CL, de Albuquerque Wanderley Sales V, Gomes de Melo C, Ferreira da Silva RM, Vicente Nishimura RH, Rolim LA, Rolim Neto PJ. Beta-lapachone: Natural occurrence, physicochemical properties, biological activities, toxicity and synthesis. Phytochemistry. 2021 Jun;186:112713. doi: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2021.112713. Epub 2021 Mar 2. PMID: 33667813.

Gómez Castellanos, J. R., Prieto, J. M., & Heinrich, M. (2009). Red Lapacho (Tabebuia impetiginosa)—A global ethnopharmacological commodity? Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 121(1), 1-13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2008.10.004

Müller K, Sellmer A, Wiegrebe W. Potential antipsoriatic agents: lapacho compounds as potent inhibitors of HaCaT cell growth. J Nat Prod. 1999 Aug;62(8):1134-6. doi: 10.1021/np990139r. PMID: 10479319.

“Pau d’arco” from MedicineNet, viewed on September 30, 2024. 

“Pau D’Arco: Potential Uses, Benefits, and Risks” from Healthine, viewed on October 1, 2024. 

Souza MA, Johann S, Lima LA, Campos FF, Mendes IC, Beraldo H, Souza-Fagundes EM, Cisalpino PS, Rosa CA, Alves TM, de Sá NP, Zani CL. The antimicrobial activity of lapachol and its thiosemicarbazone and semicarbazone derivatives. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2013 May;108(3):342–51. doi: 10.1590/S0074-02762013000300013. PMID: 23778660; PMCID: PMC4005582.

Wachtel-Galor S, Benzie IFF. Herbal Medicine: An Introduction to Its History, Usage, Regulation, Current Trends, and Research Needs. In: Benzie IFF, Wachtel-Galor S, editors. Herbal Medicine: Biomolecular and Clinical Aspects. 2nd edition. Boca Raton (FL): CRC Press/Taylor & Francis; 2011. Chapter 1. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK92773/

Zhang J, Hunto ST, Yang Y, Lee J, Cho JY. Tabebuia impetiginosa: A Comprehensive Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Immunopharmacological Properties. Molecules. 2020 Sep 18;25(18):4294. doi: 10.3390/molecules25184294. PMID: 32962180; PMCID: PMC7571111.

Zullo MA, Schiavi MC, Di Pinto A, Prata G, Scudo M, Luffarelli P, Oliva C. Efficacy and safety of oral administration of a product based on hydroxytyrosol as preventive therapy for recurrent vulvo-vaginal candidosis: a prospective observational pilot study. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2020 Jul;24(13):7427-7432. doi: 10.26355/eurrev_202007_21911. PMID: 32706082.