With Bee's Approval Pau d'arco does need to be boiled

[Guest guest]

Hi Bee,

I was taught years ago to steep herbal teas, but when it comes to

bark it should be boiled to extract the essence from it and I am

still finding the same thing on several sites that I have looked at

today.

I am not trying to question your wisdom in these matters, but could

you take a look at the information I have found on the Raintree

Nutrition site under CURRENT PRACTICAL USES and let me know if you

agree with this or not?

Thanks so much. )

Debbie

http://www.rain-tree.com/paudarco.htm

Additionally, at least 10 species of Tabebuia are logged commercially

in South America for lumber purposes alone. When these logs arrive at

lumber mills, the identifying leaves and flowers (which distinguish

the tree species) are long gone—it's all just " pau d'arco. "

This may explain varying species of pau d'arco bark being sold as

herbal products—and their resulting (diminished) quality.

Finally, many consumers and practitioners are unaware that, for the

best results when extracting these particular active chemicals (even

after obtaining the correct species),

***the bark and/or wood must be boiled at least 8–10 minutes***

—rather than brewed as a simple tea or infusion (lapachol and the

other quinoids are not very water soluble).

It is therefore not surprising that consumers and practitioners are

experiencing spotty results with commercially-available pau d'arco

products. With its many effective applications, however, it would

behoove consumers to take the time to learn about the available

products and suppliers, and find a reliable source for this important

medicinal plant from the rainforest.

Relatively new in the marketplace are standardized extracts of pau

d'arco (that guarantee the amount of lapachol and/or

naphthoquinones). In such a product, it would be unclear if other

active quinones have been extracted (and to what extent) in these

chemically-altered products.

Although the natural wood and bark are quite effective when the

correct species is used and prepared properly, the new standardized

extracts may be the safer (although more expensive) purchase for most

laypersons and general consumers concerned about quality but which

don't have the time to research each product.