🌳Amazonian Plant Medicine

Pau d'Arco (Taheebo)

Handroanthus impetiginosus

About Pau d'Arco (Taheebo)

Pau d'Arco (Taheebo) (Handroanthus impetiginosus) is a herb used in the Amazonian Plant Medicine tradition to help with Fungal Infection, Immune Support, Cancer Support, and Inflammation. The bark (inner) is the part traditionally used, taken internally.

Botanical background

Handroanthus impetiginosus, pink ipê, pink lapacho, or pink trumpet tree is a native tree of family Bignoniaceae of the Americas, distributed from northern Mexico south to northern Argentina. Lapacho is the national tree of Paraguay, and it is also a common tree in Argentina's northeastern region, as well as in southeastern Bolivia. According to Native Trees of Trinidad and Tobago, this tree is not indigenous to Trinidad, it is introduced.

Source: Wikipedia, via iNaturalist

Parts used

Bark (inner) · internal
🍵

Tea / Infusion

1–3 cups daily
  • Steep 1–2 tsp of dried Pau d'Arco (Taheebo) in freshly boiled water for 5–10 minutes.
  • Cover while steeping.
  • Strain and drink.
💧

Tincture

20–40 drops in water, 2–3× daily
  • Pack dried Pau d'Arco (Taheebo) into a jar and cover with 40–60% alcohol.
  • Seal and steep for 4–6 weeks, shaking daily.
  • Strain and store in a dark dropper bottle.
💊

Powder / Capsule

500 mg – 1 g, 1–3× daily
  • Grind dried Pau d'Arco (Taheebo) into a fine powder.
  • Fill size 00 capsules or stir into smoothies or honey.

Contraindications

  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding — insufficient safety data; consult your doctor
  • Children under 12 — therapeutic dosage not established
  • Autoimmune conditions (lupus, MS, RA) — may overstimulate immune response

Warnings

⚠️ Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established for most herbal remedies. Consult your midwife or doctor before use.

⚠️ Allergic Reactions

Discontinue immediately if you experience rash, itching, swelling, or difficulty breathing.

⚠️ Not Medical Advice

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using herbal remedies.

Drug & herb interactions

May affect immune activity

Watch for: Immunosuppressants (for transplant or autoimmune conditions)

Immune-stimulating herbs can work against immunosuppressive therapy.

Where to find in nature

Native region

Amazon Basin — Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia

Climate

Tropical rainforest

Habitat

Deep within the Amazon rainforest canopy and riverbanks; many accessible only via indigenous guides

🌿 To see Pau d'Arco (Taheebo) growing, visit botanical gardens, university plant collections, or specialist herb nurseries near you. If foraging in the wild, always work with an expert identifier — never consume a plant you are not 100% certain of.

Where to buy

In store

  • Specialist botanical importers
  • Ayahuasca retreat centres and shamanic plant medicine suppliers (where legal)
  • Health food stores (Whole Foods, Natural Grocers, Holland & Barrett, GNC)
  • Naturopathic clinics and integrative medicine practices
  • Specialist herbal apothecaries and herbalist practices

Online

iHerb

Wide selection of standardised extracts, capsules, and powders with lab testing

Mountain Rose Herbs

Premium bulk dried herbs — certified organic, ethically sourced

Starwest Botanicals

Large selection of certified organic bulk herbs and powders

Herb Pharm

High-quality liquid extracts and tinctures, rigorous quality standards

Amazon

Convenient — verify brand certifications and check third-party testing

Etsy

Small-batch artisan herbalists, hand-harvested and wildcrafted herbs

Quality tips

When buying Pau d'Arco (Taheebo), look for: certified organic labelling, clearly stated country of origin, third-party lab testing for heavy metals and pesticides, and a batch expiry date. Standardised extracts offer consistent dosing; bulk dried herbs are more economical for regular use. Avoid very cheap, unlabelled products — quality varies enormously.