Pau d'Arco Bark

Pau d'Arco Bark (Tabebuia impetiginosa)

Native to the tropical forests of Central and South America, Tabebuia impetiginosa is a majestic deciduous tree that can reach heights of over 125 feet. Known by the names pau d'arco, lapacho, and taheebo, the tree is valued for its inner bark, which has been used for thousands of years in the traditional healing practices of Indigenous peoples throughout the Amazon. The Incas and other native cultures also fashioned the tree's exceptionally strong wood into bows, giving rise to several traditional names meaning "bow tree" or "bow stick."

A member of the Bignoniaceae family, pau d'arco is admired for its striking pink to violet blossoms and has become one of the best-known botanicals of the Amazon rainforest. Traditionally, the inner bark is prepared as a decoction (tea), tincture, or incorporated into topical botanical preparations. Today, pau d'arco remains a respected herb in traditional herbalism and a valued addition to many wellness formulas.