Pau d Arco vs Salvia pratensis

Side-by-side comparison of medicinal herbs

Herb

Pau d Arco

Handroanthus impetiginosus

Antimicrobial

Antimicrobial

Pau d Arco

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Salvia pratensis

❌ Not recommended in pregnancy

❌ Not recommended while nursing

Description

Large tree of South American rainforest; inner bark used by numerous Indigenous Amazonian peoples for cancer, infections and inflammation.

European meadow sage with antibiotic properties; used in folk medicine for throat and skin conditions.

Active Compounds

lapachol, beta-lapachone, xyloidone, flavonoids, saponins, tannins

rosmarinic acid, luteolin, apigenin, ursolic acid, oleanolic acid

Traditional Uses

Cancer treatment in Amazonian indigenous medicine, Fungal and bacterial infections, Immune stimulation, Used by Incas and many Amazonian tribes

sore throat, skin infections, wound healing, digestive disorders

Modern Uses

Antifungal, Antibacterial, Antitumor research (lapachol), Immune modulation

antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, astringent, antioxidant

Adult Dosage

2–4 g inner bark as decoction; 2–4 mL tincture 3x daily

3-5g dried herb or 2-3ml tincture daily

Contraindications

Pregnancy, Anticoagulant medications, Before surgery

pregnancy large doses

Side Effects

Nausea and vomiting at high doses, Blood thinning, GI irritation

generally safe at therapeutic doses

Drug Interactions

0 known interactions

Reviewed by: HerbAlly Editorial Team, Medical herbalists and healthcare professionals

Sources: WHO Monographs · NCCIH · PubMed · Commission E