Hi All,

This is Hannah, but I've had to register as Celeste because I cannot remember my password to get into my old e-mail so I had to re-register with a new member name!

I'd like to know if anyone has used Pau DÁrco, an antifungal/yeast herb? When I look up the side effects I find, "likely unsafe" even at normal doses. Many candida sites recommend it's use, but now I'm concerned to try it.

Thank you,
Celeste a.ka. "Hannah""

Hey Hannah!! I've never heard of Pau DArco.
but I did want to say that everyone had to register to get onto these boards. We switched over to new boards a while ago.

I've never USED it, but I worked in a health food store for several years where we sold it. It was well-received & reported effective. I keep several of our old health-store reference books on hand, and cannot find any cautions against it as a dangerous herb. Although, I remember that long-term use was discouraged, and also it was not recommended for those who are pregnant.

Where are you finding these cautions? Maybe if I could see the warnings themselves, I could offer more help.

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http://stuffedveggies.blogspot.com/

Hi Anna,

These are the sites where I found the precautions:

http://www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplemen ... U%20D'ARCO

http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/pau-darco-000268.htm

http://www.livestrong.com/article/11301 ... pau-darco/

http://www.paudarco.org/cautions.php - scroll down towaeds bottom of page

I looked over the websites you gave, Celeste.

Of course, I cannot give medical advice, but if I were making this decision for myself, I would consider 1) whether I had any bleeding condition, upcoming surgery or was taking an anti-coagulant - for these, the herb is contraindicated. (it goes without saying that taking it while pregnant would be out) and 2) if I was willing to take a chance with possible short-term effects like nausea & vomiting.

I've never had a customer report back to me that they had problems with nausea & vomiting, etc. from this herb, so I'm guessing it's a very rare reaction. And, really, ANY herb should be stopped before surgery unless a doctor specifically directs otherwise. As for liver & kidney damage at HIGH doses - well Ibuprofen & Aceteminophen will do that to you.

This is considered a higher-risk herb than, say, Parsley, but the warnings seem to me to be something quite tolerable, as long as you're not in one of the high-risk groups they listed. (And, even parsley has warnings with it. )

People go to two extremes on herbs 1) its "natural" so I can take as much as I want - well, remember, mar1juana & hemlock are "natural" herbs, too! and 2) they're all horribly dangerous and we should only trust chemical pharmaceuticals - which never cause anyone any of this trouble ; )

From what I read online, if I chose to take it I *would* go for a reliable brand - not one of the grocery store or drugstore cheapies.

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http://stuffedveggies.blogspot.com/

I've used it regularly with clients, and recommend Nature's Sunshine brand. Pregnant women should not use it, nor anyone on blood thinning prescriptions.

This particular herb is found in the Rain Forest and the tree itself has such good antifungal properties that fungus will not grow anywhere near it's root system. It is good for conditions such as:
aids, age spots, side effects from antibiotics, arthritis, athlete's foot, blood poisoning, body odor, cancer (natural therapy for), chemo (reduces side effects), cradle cap, Crohn's Disease, Dermatitis, Diarrhea, Eczema, Endometriosis, Epstein Barr Virus (Chronic Fatique Syndrome), Fever, Fungal Infections (Yeast infections, Candida), Herpes, inflammation, itching, itching ear, jock itch, leukemia, Lou Gehrig's Disease, Malaria, Meningitis, Parasites (general), Polyps, Psoriasis, Rashes and hives, Skin (infections), Snake Bite, Sprains, Thrush, Toxemia, Vaginitis, Wounds and Sores.

Hope this helps. If you have any other questions, please let me know, Hannah Celeste. Say...that has a really nice ring to it. ; )