How does Palo Azul work for kidney stones?

Palo Azul contains flavonoids and isoflavones such as coumestrol and formononetin that provide diuretic and anti-inflammatory effects. These compounds increase urine output, which may help flush small kidney stones and reduce urinary tract inflammation. The increased urine flow dilutes crystal-forming substances, potentially preventing stone formation. Evidence Level: C (preliminary research and traditional use).

Does Palo Azul interact with medications?

Palo Azul's diuretic properties may enhance the effects of prescription diuretics like furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide, potentially causing excessive fluid loss and electrolyte imbalances. Due to limited clinical interaction studies, individuals taking blood pressure medications, lithium, or drugs affected by kidney function should consult a healthcare provider before combining with Palo Azul. Evidence Level: C (theoretical based on mechanism).

What is the recommended dosage for Palo Azul tea?

The traditional adult dosage is 10-20 grams of dried Palo Azul bark prepared as a tea, consumed once daily. The bark is typically boiled for 10-15 minutes to extract the active flavonoids and isoflavones. This preparation has been used traditionally for kidney and urinary tract support. Evidence Level: C (traditional use, limited clinical data).

Is Palo Azul safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Palo Azul is considered unsafe during pregnancy. The herb's diuretic properties and isoflavone content may stimulate uterine contractions and pose risks to fetal development. Due to insufficient safety data, breastfeeding women should also avoid Palo Azul. Pregnant or nursing individuals should consult a qualified healthcare provider before use. Evidence Level: C (traditional contraindication).

What is Palo Azul used for in traditional medicine?

Palo Azul is traditionally used in Mexican folk medicine for kidney stones, urinary tract infections, and bladder inflammation. It functions as a natural diuretic to promote urine flow and reduce urinary tract inflammation. The herb is also known for producing a distinctive blue fluorescence under UV light due to its flavonoid content. Evidence Level: C (traditional use, preliminary research).

What side effects can Palo Azul cause?

Palo Azul is generally well tolerated at recommended doses. Reported side effects are minimal but may include mild gastrointestinal upset and increased urination due to its diuretic action. No serious adverse events have been documented in traditional use. Individuals with existing kidney conditions should consult a healthcare provider before use. Evidence Level: C (traditional use reports).

Palo Azul (Eysenhardtia polystachya)

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 26 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Palo Azul refers to two different plants: Eysenhardtia polystachya (a Mexican tree) and Cyclolepis genistoides (a South American shrub), both used traditionally for kidney and metabolic disorders [PMID:40504372, PMID:32612029].

Contexte

The name 'Palo Azul' is applied to Eysenhardtia polystachya (Fabaceae), an endemic Mexican tree [PMID:31500000, PMID:18266292], and Cyclolepis genistoides (Asteraceae), a South American medicinal shrub [PMID:42178400, PMID:24176232].

Usages traditionnels

Eysenhardtia polystachya is used in Mexican traditional medicine for chronic inflammatory pathologies, urinary disorders, diabetes, oxidative stress [PMID:40504372], cancer, infections, diarrhea, inflammation, and pain [PMID:29913299], and as an anti-rheumatic and analgesic agent [PMID:29755555]. Cyclolepis genistoides is used in South America as a diuretic, antirheumatic, antispasmodic, and for kidney and liver disorders [PMID:42178400, PMID:21609303].

Composés actifs

Eysenhardtia polystachya contains isoflavans (e.g., (3S)-7-hydroxy-2',3',4',5', 8-pentamethoxyisoflavan), flavonoids, dihydrochalcones (e.g., 3'-O-β-d-glucopyranosyl α,4,2',4',6'-pentahydroxy-dihydrochalcone), and molecules such as Coatline B and Matlaline [PMID:9644061, PMID:30925713, PMID:40504372, PMID:27668038]. Cyclolepis genistoides contains oleanolic acid and deacylcynaropicrin [PMID:21609303].

Mécanisme d'action

Eysenhardtia polystachya exhibits nephroprotective effects via antioxidant, nitric oxide (NO), and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) regulation pathways [PMID:40504372] and antiglycation activity by inhibiting protein glycation [PMID:30925713]. Cyclolepis genistoides modulates peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) to regulate adipokine expression (leptin and resistin) and promote adipocyte differentiation [PMID:24176232, PMID:32612029].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DDiabetic Nephropathy

Dihydrochalcone from E. polystachya significantly reduced markers of renal dysfunction (creatinine, urea, BUN) and inhibited protein glycation in diabetic mice [PMID:30925713]

Preuve DRheumatoid Arthritis

Ethanolic extract of E. polystachya bark delayed progression of arthritis and showed antinociceptive activity in murine models [PMID:29755555]

Preuve DDiabetes/Metabolic Syndrome

C. genistoides promoted adipocyte differentiation and decreased subcutaneous adipose volume in high-fat-diet mice [PMID:32612029]

Preuve DAcute Kidney Injury (AKI)

Coatline B and Matlaline from E. polystachya reduced renal tissue damage and prevented decline in kidney function in vivo and in vitro [PMID:40504372]

Sécurité et effets indésirables

An ethanol extract of E. polystachya branches and leaves was evaluated for toxicity using the comet assay in human PBMC and acute toxicity tests in mice, though specific adverse effect results were not detailed in the abstract [PMID:29913299].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is based on preclinical studies (in vitro and animal models) and ethnomedical surveys; there are no human clinical trials provided in the abstracts.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 9644061 (1998) — Cytotoxic isoflavans from Eysenhardtia polystachya. · Journal of natural products
2.PMID: 24176232 (2013) — Cyclolepis genistoides D. Don (palo azul) promotes differentiation of adipocytes and regulates adipokine expression. · Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.)
3.PMID: 40504372 (2025) — Nephroprotective activity of Eysenhardtia polystachya through antioxidant, H2S, and NO pathways. · Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's archives of pharmacology
4.PMID: 27262535 (2016) — Ethanol extract of Cyclolepis genistoides D. Don (palo azul) induces formation of myotubes, which involves differentiation of C2C12 myoblast cells. · Nutrition research (New York, N.Y.)
5.PMID: 32612029 (2020)

Palo Azul

Sources et citations