Natural Antifungals

[healthybratt]

Grapefruit seed extract is being used successfully in humans and animals alike to fight many types of internal and external infections caused from parasites (single and multi-celled), viruses, bacteria, fungus and more!

The greatest benefit is due to it's multipurpose (broad spectrum) effect. It is effective even if the causes of the infections are known, unknown or misdiagnosed. Grapefruit seed extract naturally detoxifies, enhances and supports the immune system.

Grapefruit seed extract contains high levels of vitamin C and E, and bioflavonoids. The important substances have an antioxidant action and can neutralize free radicals that damage cells and cause a number of illnesses.

Another important benefit of grapefruit seed extract is that it is helpful in alkalizing the blood. Alkalizing the body fluids (raising pH) is one of the single most important health regeneration benefits available as disease causing microforms (fungi, bacteria, virus etc.) cannot survive in an alkaline oxygenated environment.   Though lemons, limes, and grapefruits are chemically acid, tests show that when they are metabolized in the body they actually have an alkalizing effect. They have very little sugar and they contain an abundance of oxygen. This is a plus for anyone fighting candida or any other disease. Conclusion: Eat more fresh vegetables and less processed foods as most all vegetables are alkaline forming in the body...more

hb's note:  there is some speculation that GSE may kill the good bugs too.  I have not found any substantial evidence that would prove otherwise, so I would definately take probiotics during and after using GSE.  (just my opinion)

Pau D'Arco; the Indians call it "Taheebo", the Portuguese "Ipe Roxo", and the Spanish "Lapacho" or "Tabebuia".

This fascinating herb is taken from the inner bark of the tall tree called La Pacho. It is an ozoniferous plant, and grows only in the mountains of the Andes, where there is ozone. Ozone air is fresh, pure, and free from pollution, smog, exhaust, smoke and pesticides.

Pau D'Arco has been used since the time of the Incas by the Callaways, a traditional tribe or caste of healers, which flourished before the Spanish and Portuguese invasion in the early 1500's. During the past 400 years, these traditional healers have occasionally seen and ministered to white men, but the tree whose miraculous inner bark they used was not officially "discovered" until about 20 years ago by two health practioners Teodoro Meyer, M.D. and Prats Ruiz, M.D.

Dr. Teodoro Meyer, Professer of Botany and Plant Geography of the National Unoiversity of Tucuman in Argentina, found the inner bark to possess a wide range of properties. Dr, Meyer states Pau D'Arco is "analgesic, sedative, decongestant, diuretic, and hypotensive". Such properties have justified its use for many different ailments.

Recently a new use has been found for Pau D'Arco which may allow thousands of allergic and chemically sensitive people to live more comfortable lives. Researchers have discovered that the Pau D'Arco tree is the only type of vegetation known that will not permit the development of fungus, Most plant life when exposed to water and weather become covered with spores which lead to fungus formation. This doesn't occur with Pau D'Arco. The tree has an uncommon resistance.

This discovery has led to an experimentation on people who have yeast or mold allergy, the assumption being that these same properties may discourage Candida Albicans {a common yeast} long suspected to be the causative factor in food allergy. Another researcher, Dr, Robert Owens, has found Candida Albicans to be correlated with "Chemical Hypersensitivity and other immunological-related disorders." The hope has been raised that not only might Pau D'Arco control the yeast and mold allergy, but also many other sensitivities as well...more

Black Walnut, including the kernel and the green hull, have been used by the Asians to expel various kinds of intestinal worms, as well as by some American Indian tribes. The fruit, leaves and bark of the Black Walnut tree offer many other benefits. Taken internally, Black Walnut helps relieves constipation, and is also useful against fungal & parasitic infections. Black walnut  may also help eliminate warts, which are troublesome growths caused by viruses. Rubbed on the skin, Black Walnut extract is reputed to be beneficial for eczema, herpes, psoriasis, and skin parasites. External applications have been known to kill ringworm. The Chinese use Black Walnut to kill tapeworms with extremely good success. The high tannin content is primarily responsible for its anthelmintic (anti-worm) property, although other constituents of black walnut such as juglandin, juglone and juglandic acid may also be involved. It is known that Black Walnut oxygenates the blood to kill parasites. The brown stain found in the black walnut green husk contains organic iodine which has antiseptic and healing properties. Black Walnut is also used to balance sugar levels and burn up excessive toxins and fatty materials. Black Walnut has the ability to fight against fungal infections, and acts with an antiseptic property which helps fight bacterial infection...more

Earlier I mentioned my own positive experience with olive leaf extract. I started taking the supplement and it completely cleared up a stubborn toenail fungus infection. A number of other patients have told me similar stories.

A woman with an infection of the large toenail said that within 60 days her condition was about three-quarters healed. For five years, she had tried many types of medication and natural agents without help.

More than 10 million Americans are said to have disfiguring fungal nail infections, a widely ignored medical problem. It is frequently found among patients with AIDS, cancer and diabetes, athletes, elderly individuals, people who spend considerable time standing or who wear the same shoes day after day, or who wear artificial fingernails. Drugs taken for cancer and AIDS lower resistance and are believed to make people more susceptible to infection.

For the first time in 35 years, a new drug has been approved for the condition. It is called Sporanox and is reported to be more effective than previous anti-fungal preparations. But none of these preparations come cheap. Patricia Anstett of the Knight-Ridder Newspapers reports that two 100-milligram pills of Sproranox are taken daily for about three months at a cost of $900. Older drugs, taken for 12 months or more, cost double or more that amount over the longer duration. Even with the new drug, the condition may return if the medication is stopped.

Olive leaf extract may offer a natural -- and for sure, less expensive -- method of self-treatment.

One patient said a fungal infection of the tongue he had for 30 years responded virtually overnight to the olive leaf. "I had tried all kinds of diets, treatments and regimes but to no avail," he told me. "Within three weeks on olive leaf extract the fungus disappeared!"

More than a dozen patients with candidiasis have reported significant improvements. They say they have fewer infections, allergic reactions, less dullness and more energy. One woman said she was finally able to clean out her dust-ridden garage. Before olive leaf extract that would have been impossible for her.

One 36-year-old woman, who had suffered repeated vaginal yeast infections for several years, told me this account of her experience with olive leaf extract:

"I have seen several doctors using conventional medicine. They prescribed every medication available to combat yeast, all to no avail. After less than three weeks of taking the olive leaf supplement, all symptoms cleared up and have not returned. As a sufferer of herpes simplex II, I would experience outbreaks several times a year. Now, I have had no more flare-ups."...more

Oil of Oregano is a potent antiseptic used both topically and internally. Research demonstrates that it is effective in killing a range of organisms, especially yeast and bacteria...

The body of positive evidence for oregano oil as a major antibiotic is growing. Among 52 plant oils tested, oregano was considered to have "pharmacologic" action against common bugs such as Candida albicans (yeast), E. coli, Salmonella enterica and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. [Journal Applied Microbiology, Volume 86, June 1999] Pseudomonas is a type of germ that is getting more difficult to treat as it has developed strains that are resistant to antibiotic drugs.

    * Oil of oregano at relatively low doses was found to be efficacious against Staphylococcus bacteria and was comparable in its germ-killing properties to antibiotic drugs such as streptomycin, penicillin and vancomycin. [Science Daily 10/11/2001]
    * Researchers at the Department of Food Science at the University of Tennessee reported that, among various plant oils, oil of oregano exhibited the greatest antibacterial action against common pathogenic germs such as Staph, E. coli and Listeria. [Journal Food Protection, Volume 64, July 2001]
    * British researchers reported oregano oil had antibacterial activity against 25 different bacteria. [Journal Applied Microbiology, Volume 88, February 2000]
    * Of more recent interest are reports showing that carvacrol from oil of oregano kills spores, such as Bacillus cereus and Bacillus anthracis (anthrax). [Archives Microbiology, Volume 174, October 2000; Quarterly Review Biology, Volume 73, March 1998] Bacillus cereus is considered to be from the same species as Bacillus anthracis (anthrax). [Applied Environmental Microbiology, Volume 66, June 2000] In tests of antibiotics and antiseptics, Bacillus cereus is often used in studies in lieu of the anthrax strain. [University of Michigan News & Information Service, Sept. 23, 1998]
    * The growing problem of antibiotic resistance has health authorities extremely concerned. It is already the case that various germs are showing resistance to vancomycin, particularly to intestinal bacteria (Enterococcal species) among hospitalized patients. [Southern Medical Journal, Volume 94, August 2001]
    * Vancomycin is considered to be the most potent antibiotic available and is withheld from use as a drug of last resort. Drug resistance does not develop against naturally-occurring antibiotics such as garlic and oil of oregano.

While the killing action of oregano oil in many studies was the result of activity in a "test tube" or culture media, enterically coated products will deliver the oil into the GI tract. These antibacterial actions have not yet been confirmed by human clinical trials.

Oil of oregano is not to be confused with common oregano in the kitchen spice cupboard, which is usually Oregano marjoram rather than true oregano (Oregano vulgare)...more

Caprylic Acid Indications

For treatment and cure of fungus infections and yeast infections, especially systemic, chronic, or recurrent fungus infection and yeast infection caused by Candida albicans intestinal yeast overgrowth (Candidiasis). For treatments addressing the symptoms of Candida albicans intestinal yeast infection. In men and women for addressing underlying causes of fungus and yeast-related disorders including oral yeast infection (thrush), vaginal yeast infection (vaginitis) and male yeast infection (jock itch). For treatment and supportive therapy of intestinal disorders commonly associated with Candida albicans yeast overgrowth (Candidiasis) including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), leaky gut syndrome, intestinal parasite infections, and intestinal bacterial infections.
Caprylic Acid Source & Availability

Caprylic Acid is a natural, herbal, botanical dietary supplement commonly available in pill, tablet, or capsule form. Caprylic Acid is naturally derived from coconut oil. Caprylic Acid is a short chain fatty acid that has been known to possess anti-fungal activity for over 40 years...more

[healthybratt]

Saturated Fatty Acids
Undecylenic and caprylic acids are common medium chain saturated fatty acids used to treat yeast infections. Both are found naturally in the human body in small amounts. Common commercial sources of caprylic acid are palm and coconut oils, whereas undecylenic acid is extracted from castor bean oil. Caprylic acid products are far more common than those of undecylenic acid but don't assume this means it is better, undecylenic acid has far more research data avilable on it and was the treatment of choice for fungal skin infections for a long time before newer drugs arrived (1, 2). Both have been shown to be comparable to a number of common anti-fungal drugs. In fact undecylenic acid was the main agent used to treat fungal infections prior to the development of newer drugs and is still prescribed today for some infections. A typical dosage for caprylic acid would be up to 3600mg per day in divided doses with meals. Undecylenic acid is commonly taken in dosages of up to 1000mg per day, again in divided doses. A major advantage of using natural products over drugs is the cost. A months supply of either of these fatty acids will cost only about $20-30 for a quality product.

Berberine
Berberine is an alkaloid found in a herb called barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and related plants as well as in goldenseal, oregon grape root and Chinese goldthread. This herb has long been used in chinese and ayurvedic medicine. Berberine has significant anti-fungal activity and is also effective against some kinds of bacteria. As with all previously covered anti-fungal's, berberine is reported to spare beneficial organisms such as lactobacilli species. An added benefit for some people is its anti-diarrheal action. Research has shown that berberine can effectively prevent candida species from producing an enzyme called lipase which they use to help them colonize (3). Berberine has also been widely shown to have a powerful directly anti-fungal action (4, 5) Cost of treatment with berberine is roughly equivalent to that of the fatty acids.

Oregano
Most people will be familiar with oregano as the strong smelling herb commonly used as a seasoning in Italian food. This is usually Oregano marjoram rather than Oregano vulgare that we're interested in here. Oregano vulgare contains a variety of substances that make it an effective anti-fungal. In a study assessing its action against Candida albicans, carvacrol, a major phenolic constituent of the oil, was found to inhibit candida to a greater extent than caprylic acid. It is also highly effective against many bacteria with studies published in the most prestigious medical journals showing it is as effective as many antibiotic drugs. Usually supplied in oil form, oregano treatment will cost around $25 per month. It is very potent so only a few drops in a glass of water are needed at a time. Higher dosages would be likely to cause irritation of the mucous membranes.

Garlic
Garlic (Allium sativum) contains a large number of sulphur containing compounds that exhibit potent anti-fungal properties. Among the most studied are allicin, alliin, alliinase and S-allylcysteine. Some studies have found garlic to be at least as effective as nystatin at killing Candida albicans. A point that should not be overlooked is that because of the many different compounds with anti-fungal properties in garlic, yeast and fungi are unlikely to become resistant to it. Garlic also has many other beneficial properties particularly for the cardiovascular system. It has been shown to lower levels of LDL cholesterol and act as an anti-coagulant, lowering blood pressure as a result. Like barberry, garlic has a long history of medicinal use, reportedly dating back as far as 3000 years. For treating intestinal yeast infections garlic is available in a number of different forms including, odorless capsules, liquid extract and tablets. However, a study at the National Institutes of Health found that fresh garlic was significantly more potent against Candida albicans. It also found that the fresh garlic could be a suitable alternative to drugs for serious systemic infections in patients with severe immune suppression. Therefore adding garlic to food (raw) or crushing and swallowing raw clothes if you can tolerate it, is a cheap and powerful anti-fungal treatment.

Colloidal Silver
A colloid is defined as very small particles of one substance suspended (not dissolved) in another. Colloidal silver is a suspension of silver particles in water. Silver is a well known anti-microbial, it is commonly used in items such as water filters to kill any microbe that may be in the water, including bacteria, fungi, worms and protozoa. Colloidal silver is said to be effective against up to 650 pathogens including, of most interest to us here, yeast and fungi species including Candida. It works by denaturing the enzyme involved with supplying the organism with oxygen. Chances of resistance to this process are by all accounts, very low. It was used widely to treat infection before the development of antibiotic drugs. It is now classified as a pre-1938 drug by the FDA which means that it is available without prescription. The number of companies offering colloidal silver as an alternative to antibiotic medications is increasing daily. The renewed interest can be explained by the increase in chronic infections and the fact that many microbes are becoming resistant to the commonly used drug treatments. The dosage of colloidal silver needed to treat yeast overgrowth will vary between products because they may have slightly different concentrations. Prices are similar to the other natural products discussed at about $30 for an 8oz bottle.

Cellulase
This is a relatively new treatment approach for intestinal yeast infections. The cell wall of common intestinal yeast such as Candida species have been found to be made mainly from cellulose. Cellulase is the enzyme that breaks down cellulose and hence, when significant concentrations come into contact with yeast cells the cell wall is irreparably damaged and the organism dies. It's claimed that using this mode of action, the yeast do not release a flood of toxins when they die as occurs with most other anti-fungal agents so that the sufferer does not experience the usual die-off symptoms to any significant degree. The yeast should be unable to develop resistance to cellulase products as they lack the ability to modify their cell wall. As cellulase products have only been around for a few years reports of their effectiveness in practice is limited but they offer a promising alternative to more established treatments. Prices again, are in a similar range to all the natural anti-fungal's.

Plant Tannins
Tannins are natural substances found in a number of plants such as Black Walnut and a vast array of plants used in traditional eastern medicine. Tannins are what give red wines such as merlots and cabernets their sharp, biting taste. They are also found in the bark of trees that are particularly resistant to fungus such as the redwood tree. They have been demonstarted to have a powerful anti-fungal and astringent action in a multitude of clinical studies (6, 7, . Tannins are one of a number of natural substances tested against pathogens found in stool samples by functional medicine labs. More information can be found on these tests here. Tannins are available in a number of froms to treat intestinal yeast overgrowth. As previously mentioned they are the active anti-fungal ingredient in many traditional eastern herbal preperations. Black walnut has a very high tannin content and is commonly used to treat infections with Candida sp, parasites and worms. It is widely available from health stores and nutritional supplement suppliers. Tannins are also available in an isolated and concentrated form. Treatment with plant tannins is comparable in cost to most natural anti-fungal agents, being in the region of $15-$30 per month.

Probiotics
It is essential that as the yeast overgrowth is being treated probiotic bacteria are consumed to take the place of the yeast colonies. To learn more about probiotics click here (see next quote)

from

During treatment for intestinal yeast and/or bacterial overgrowth it is essential that probiotic bacteria are consumed concurrently to restore the proper balance of organisms in the gut. When you undergo anti-fungal and/or anti-bacterial therapy when the pathogenic organisms are killed off space within the intestines and along the intestinal wall becomes available for colonization by other organisms. Taking probiotic supplements enhances the chances of these new colonies being made up of beneficial bacteria rather than more pathogenic types. Also of importance to sufferers of environmental illnesses is the fact that recent research has shown that the gut flora is directly linked to the development of allergies to both food and airborne allergens and that improving gut flora could potentially reduce the number and severity of allergies (1, 2).

At first the range of probiotic products on the market will likely seem overwhelming and you won't know whether you are getting a good product or not until you learn a little bit more about the subject. The information below will explain a bit about probiotic bacteria, otherwise known as 'beneficial bacteria' or 'friendly bacteria', and provide some basic pointers on what to look for in a probiotic product...more

[natural]

This was all very awesome information....I just wanted to pass along some info I have learned during the past 8 years of using silver. Colloidal silver, as well as any colloidal, can be toxic to the human body. These particle sizes are often too big for our bodies to break down into the same size that the plant breaks it down to.

We get many of these minerals from plants, the plants take the minerals from the ground and make them digestable for our bodies, the process of making a colloidal doesn't necessarily break the particle down to that same size. Now I am not saying it doesn't work,,,i have friends that make their own colloidal silver and it kills cold sores quickly. So it does work, but it can also build up in you system with long term use.

The example I was given was that you can do a hair sample that tells you you are lacking  copper then look at your blood test and it could say you are defficient in copper..Why, the particle size has not been able to be broken down to the proper size to be assimilated by your body....But it has remained in your body and become toxic.

I found water soluable minerals (particle size is an angstrom <one 10-millionth of a millimeter> in size---if you shot a laser through a glass containing these minerals, you would not be able to see any sign of the mineral) from a company called Water Oz (don't know if they are still around)...now I use the same type of minerals from a brand called Complete H2o minerals ..completeh2ominerals.com.  I use the zinc, calcium, magnesium and silver as well as the copper (Copper is great for getting rid of parasites or other fungal problems) I personally buy mine from a company called Rich Distributing who sells a very reasonable Vitamin C Ascorbate.  Though I get it wholesale because I have spent over $200.00--which is their deal.

Anyway, hope I have given you a tid bit of info. I wish I knew how to create links for you like healthybratt. I will have to try and figure all that out.

[healthybratt]

Anyway, hope I have given you a tid bit of info. I wish I knew how to create links for you like healthybratt. I will have to try and figure all that out.

Check this thread.

[rebekahgrif]

Question about the black walnut.  What part do you use?  just eat the nut?  or do you need to use the husk for the antifungal properties?  We have a ton of walnut trees out here.  In fact right now you have to be careful checking the mail as the nuts are dropping and our mailbox happens to be right under one of the trees LOL

[healthybratt]

Question about the black walnut.  What part do you use?  just eat the nut?  or do you need to use the husk for the antifungal properties?  We have a ton of walnut trees out here.  In fact right now you have to be careful checking the mail as the nuts are dropping and our mailbox happens to be right under one of the trees LOL

The green hull.

[sierra]

How much raw garlic do you take?  My son loves the raw garlic with honey (thanks whoever metioned that somewhere on this site), but I don't know how much to give my kids or myself. 
 My 6 year old is asking me to give him garlic and his Sunday school teacher said he told her she needed to take it too

[Amey]

Therefore adding garlic to food (raw) or crushing and swallowing raw clothes if you can tolerate it, is a cheap and powerful anti-fungal treatment.

I'm sorry...I really shouldn't be doing this, but...this typo is CRACKING ME UP!!!! What a hoot. I have never been able to tolerate swollowing raw clothes, and I doubt I ever will. 

[mom24boys]

Berberine
Berberine is an alkaloid found in a herb called barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and related plants as well as in goldenseal, oregon grape root and Chinese goldthread.

HB could you tell me where you found this information.  I want to find out more about the Oregon grape root.  It grows wild all around our property and I really could use a good anti-fungal... I have a mystery yeast infection going and I'm miserable!

[healthybratt]

Berberine
Berberine is an alkaloid found in a herb called barberry (Berberis vulgaris) and related plants as well as in goldenseal, oregon grape root and Chinese goldthread.

HB could you tell me where you found this information.  I want to find out more about the Oregon grape root.  It grows wild all around our property and I really could use a good anti-fungal... I have a mystery yeast infection going and I'm miserable!

Check the post again and click on the word "from" right under the quote.

[mom24boys]

Thanks HB!  How did I miss that?  I will be better about looking for links in posts.

[amazonmama2five]

How much raw garlic do you take?  My son loves the raw garlic with honey (thanks whoever metioned that somewhere on this site), but I don't know how much to give my kids or myself. 
 My 6 year old is asking me to give him garlic and his Sunday school teacher said he told her she needed to take it too

I have mentioned taking garlic with honey before for colds and sore throats.....  These are foods and so there is no dosage, take as much as you want or can handle.  Too much garlic can upset the stomach especially if taken on an empty stomach.  We have taken a crushed clove with honey up to six times a day and eaten 12 - 18 cloves with our meals in the same day.  Only side effect-------stinky kids! 
HTH,
Lisa

[YoopreMama]

This is a VERY good thread...esp. for those battling yeast...thanks, HB. 

[goatgirl]

I am getting ready to do an anti yeast diet and I was wondering why it is recommended to stay away from vinegar when I thought vinegar (raw apple cider) is an anti fungal? In the past I have taken 2 teaspoons of acv in 8 oz. water every day to fight foot fungus and it worked, so what gives?

[YoopreMama]

From what I understand, the raw ACV w/ the mother is usually fine--some w/ yeast appear not to tolerate it, but everything I've read recently said it's fine. 

I hope to see you on the anti-yeast thread! 

[goatgirl]

Thanks Yooper. Doing a little reading today and read that raw acv is the only one that should be used on the anti yeast diet. This made my day because now I can make my home-made mayo recipe and use it on the diet! 

[savannah]

i have a question about how much garlic pills to take. i had been taking kyolic and then switched to beeyoutiful,but i noticed the dosage was so much smaller 50mg.  so i have been taking alot.  could that be related to a recent allergic skin reaction?

[healthyinOhio]

Coconut oil, olive leaf extract, and honey are natural anti-fungal, as well.

[Mamatoto]

Which of the anti-fungals listed above are safe to use while nursing and don't decrease milk supply?  (GSE, pau d'arco, black walnut, olive leaf extract, oil of oregano, caprylic acid, berberine, oregano, colloidal silver, plant tannins, cellulase)  I'm assuming the saturated fatty acids, garlic, and probiotics are a go, but am not sure on some of the others.  Thanks in advance!

[Mamatoto]

Bump!  Does anyone know?

[floydian]

Cayenne is antifungal.

[ridgerunner]

I believe Pau D'arco and Black Walnut Hull are supposed to be avoided during pregnancy and nursing.  Not sure about the others...

[YoopreMama]

Which of the anti-fungals listed above are safe to use while nursing and don't decrease milk supply?  (GSE, pau d'arco, black walnut, olive leaf extract, oil of oregano, caprylic acid, berberine, oregano, colloidal silver, plant tannins, cellulase)  I'm assuming the saturated fatty acids, garlic, and probiotics are a go, but am not sure on some of the others.  Thanks in advance!

Nay to the Pau d'Arco, Black Walnut, here, too.  I don't think OoO is a great one for nursing moms as well, but don't take my word on it. 

I've read olive leaf extract is one of the better ones.  The ones HinOH listed above, too  Cayenne would be good.  Look at the actions of the herbs/products and avoid the ones w/ astringent properties.  That's what dries you up (the tannins, I believe).  Of course, you could always take the herbs that BOOST your supply, too (fenugreek, hops, blessed thistle, etc.)...i.e, Mother's Milk-type teas.

[Whiterock]

Why is Pau d'Arco bad during preg/nursing? I've never heard that it was contraindicated for anything or anyone.

WR

[YoopreMama]

Why is Pau d'Arco bad during preg/nursing? I've never heard that it was contraindicated for anything or anyone.  WR

I recall our conversation about this.    I err on the side of caution when I've seen so many concerns about it.  BHS was the only one I saw that supported it.  http://www.herbs2000.com/herbs/herbs_pau_darco.htm is one site that warns about it. 

The general issues I've seen deal with "Pregnant and nursing women should not use pau d'arco until it is sufficiently researched. Pau d'arco has been shown to have blood-thinning actions in some people, and may cause anemia when used long term. Possible side effects from ingesting too much pau d'arco include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and stomach cramps. Another precaution consumers should heed is assuring that the product they purchase is produced by a reputable manufacturer. Some tested have very few active ingredients. The pau d'arco imported from Argentina is generally considered to be the highest quality bark."  http://ezinearticles.com/?Pau-DArco---Pau-D-Arco-Effectively-Treats-Infections,-Arthritis,-Even-Complications-of-AIDS&id=1132408

[Mamatoto]

Thanks, ladies.  And a special thanks to Yooper for explaining that "astringent properties" means it can dry up milk.  That makes sense, but I never would have put 2 and 2 together on my own

[Mamatoto]

Pau d'arco has been shown to have blood-thinning actions in some people, and may cause anemia when used long term. Possible side effects from ingesting too much pau d'arco include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and stomach cramps.

I've been thinking some more about this... Does anyone know if blood thinning is more dangerous in nursing mothers as opposed to other people?

[Mamatoto]

Bump!  Does anyone know if blood thinning is more dangerous in nursing mothers as opposed to other people?