Pau Darco and Cat Claw

Immune Support during Chemotherapy

Terry Vanderheyden, ND
St. Francis Herb Farm, Inc.
Herbal medicines can help maintain healthy immune function in those undergoing cancer
treatments. There are several options, but a few of my top herbal choices include St.
Francis Herb Farms Deep Immune, echinacea, pau darco and cats claw.
Pau darco (Tabebuia spp.) is the inner bark of a South American rainforest tree. Besides
using the tough wood for making hunting bows, many native South Americans also use
the tree for medicine. The Guarani and Tupis for example, call pau darco tajy,
meaning, to have strength and vigour (Taylor 2002). Throughout the Amazon region,
natives use the tree for similar conditions, including for anaemia, arthritis and
rheumatism, boils, colitis, colds, cough, flu, fungal infections, fever, malaria, respiratory
problems, snakebite, and poor circulation.
Pau darco is used in Western herbalism especially for Candida (fungal) infections, and
for colds, flu, and upper-respiratory infections. Brazilian natives also used the bark for
treating skin diseases such as eczema, psoriasis, fungal infections and skin cancers.
Further investigation of the antipsoriatic properties of pau darco has found that the inner
bark exhibits potent activity against the growth of human keratinocytes (Muller et al.
1999). These scientists conclude that, Pau darco appears to be promising as an effective
antipsoriatic agent.
A tonic and restorative, cats claw is one of the most significant medicinal herbs to have
come to us from the indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest. Its therapeutic
qualities first came to the attention of Western researchers in the early 1970s. Since then
scientists have discovered that the oxindole alkaloids in this plant enhance immune
function by as much as 50%.
Several native Amazonian groups including the Ashninka use cats claw for a myriad of
health issues, some of which include cystitis, arthritis and rheumatism, for wounds, to
control gastritis, and for cancer.
In addition to its immune properties, cats claw is also known for its anti-inflammatory
benefits for relieving the pain associated with arthritis. A randomized control trial
conducted by Peruvian researchers in 2001 concludes that cats claw has enjoyed a
remarkable clinical experience in South America, and it is highly regarded for the
treatment of chronic inflammationthis Amazonian botanical not only treats the arthritic
disease process but also reduces the toxic side effects of the current standard
pharmaceuticals used in the management of arthritis (Piscoya et al 2001).
St. Francis Herb Farms tinctures are extracted for maximum absorption, ease of use
and greatest efficacy.

For more information, contact St. Francis Herb Farm or visit our website at
www.stfrancisherbfarm.com.
Terry Vanderheyden, ND, has practiced in Ontario since graduating from the CCNM in
1994, specializing in homeopathic, nutritional and botanical therapies. He also works as a
research consultant to St. Francis Herb Farm, Inc. Terry lives in Barrys Bay with his
wife Laurie and his 5 children.
References:
1. Taylor L. Herbal Secrets of the Rainforest, 2nd edition. Austin, TX: Sage Press,
Inc.; 2002.
2. K Muller et al., J Nat Prod 1999;62(8):1134-6.
3. J Piscoya J et al, Efficacy and safety of freeze-dried cat's claw in osteoarthritis of
the knee: mechanisms of action of the species Uncaria guianensis, Inflammation
Research 2001;50(9): 447.