Yellow Ipê is a medicinal plant, also known as Pau d'Arco. Its trunk is strong, can reach 25 meters in height and has beautiful yellow flowers with greenish reflections, which can be found from the Amazon, Northeast, to São Paulo.
Its scientific name is Tabebuia serratifolia and is also known as ipê, ipê-do-cerrado, ipêovo-de-macuco, ipê-pardo, ipê-tabaco, ipê-uva, paud'arco, pau-d'arco-amarelo, yellow-puff, opa and tamura-tuira.
This medicinal plant can be bought in natural products stores and in some handling pharmacies.
What is it for
Ipê-Amarelo has been popularly used to treat anemia, tonsillitis, urinary tract infection, bronchitis, candidiasis, infection of the prostate, myoma, cyst in the ovaries, as well as facilitate the healing of internal and external wounds.
Ipê-Amarelo can be indicated in these situations because it has substances like saponins, triterpenes and antioxidants that confer antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunostimulating, antiviral and antibiotic properties.
Due to its antitumor activity Ipê-Amarelo has been studied for the treatment of cancer, but more scientific studies are needed to prove its efficacy and safety, and should not be consumed freely because it can reduce the effect of chemotherapy, aggravating the disease.
Possible side effects
Yellow Ipê has high toxicity and its side effects include hives, dizziness, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
When not to take
Ipê-Amarelo is contraindicated for pregnant women, during breastfeeding and during cancer treatment.
