The chemical compounds and active ingredients of Pau d'arco have
been well documented, with much research focused on the long
reported use treating various types of cancers. The presence of
quinoids in pau d'arco is reported have shown the most
documented pharmacological activity and are believed to be
central to the plants efficacy. Studies in the 1970's largely
focused on the ability of one specific quinoid, lapachol, to
produce therapeutic effects against cancer. Focus on this and
other single phytochemicals is due to the pursuit of patents.
Isolated phytochemicals have shown a variety of strong effects
on various ailments with highly effective treatments against
cancers in laboratory animal testing. These chemicals are
present in whole plant teas and decoctions as well, but whole
plants are not patentable. In studies, pau d'arco has
demonstrated action against a number of disease-causing
microorganisms, which supports its widespread use in herbal
medicine. Its constituents have shown strong activity again