Witnessed by: Western
Pau d'arco (Tabebuia impetiginosa), of the Bignoniaceae family. Large deciduous tree bearing showy trumpet-shaped pink to magenta flowers; native range: tropical forests of South and Central America. Globally recognized as lapacho · taheebo · pink trumpet tree in English. The part used is inner bark. Bitter and astringent with a faint woody, slightly acrid taste.
In this cross-tradition database, we analyze how this substance operates across world medicine systems — tracking its traditional tastes, temperatures, tissue affinities, post-digestive effects, and planetary correspondences across Ayurveda, Unani, and Western herbalism.
PAU D'ARCO
IDENTITY
Name
- Common
- pau d'arco
- Scientific name
- Tabebuia impetiginosa (Mart. ex DC.) Standl.
- Family
- Bignoniaceae
Form
- Part used
- inner bark
PROPERTIES
Nature
Taste
how the plant declares itself on the tongue
- Western
- bitter · astringent
Temperature
- Western
- cool, drying
Affinity
where in the body it travels
Organs / channels
- Western
- blood · immune · mucous membranes · skin
PRACTICE
Virtue
Actions
- Western
- antimicrobial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, alterative, immune-supporting
Cautions
Contraindications: pregnancy and lactation; bleeding disorders
Toxicity: high doses of lapachol may cause nausea, vomiting and bleeding tendency through an anti-vitamin-K action
Interactions
- Western
- anticoagulants: lapachol antagonises vitamin K, potentiating anticoagulant effect and bleeding risk
This is the card. Sign in for the full four-tradition entry — the aligned TCM · Ayurveda · Western · Unani reading, actions, dosing and cautions.