- Practitioners of natural medicine prescribe pau d'arco for a wide variety of illnesses because they believe the supplement's antioxidant properties fight disease and the chemicals stimulate immune system defense cells.
- Analysis of the chemicals in pau d'arco have shown that the bark contains chemicals called naphthoquinones, which may kill bacteria, viruses, fungus and yeast--granting the supplement beneficial antimicrobial properties.
- Although frequently recommended for its potential anticancer properties, pau d'arco is not approved for cancer treatment, and the American Cancer Society states that further research is needed on the supplement.
- Researchers at the Toyama Medical and Pharmaceutical University and Dong-Eui University have begun to investigate the possibility that substances in pau d'arco may have potential anti-inflammatory and pain relieving properties.
- Alternative health practitioners may also recommend the use of pau d'arco for the treatment of skin infections, respiratory illnesses, wounds and heart disease.
