Interactions on record — worth a quick check against your medications. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Pau D'Arco Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by Nature's Sunshine

Capsule Category: Botanical
Most serious interaction: Moderate
The interaction bottom line Most serious interaction: Moderate

Pau D'Arco is a dietary supplement by Nature's Sunshine with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for infections (bacterial, fungal, yeast), inflammation, immune support.Based on those ingredients, 122 medications have a known interaction with it, the most serious rated moderate. The ingredients most likely to interact are Pau d'Arco. Use the checker below to test your specific medication, or read the full HelloPharmacist Interaction Report.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Pau D'Arco by Nature's Sunshine

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: pau d'arco, an herb derived from a South American tree. The capsule also holds three inactive ingredients — vegetable magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide, and the capsule shell itself — which serve as binders and fillers.

Does it work?

Couldn't assess
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not assessable

This is a single-ingredient Pau D'arco product and its label doesn't state a use — see Pau D'arco's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • We looked at the product name, claims, and label statements and couldn't find a stated purpose to grade.

The evidence isn't established in our data for any of pau d'arco's common uses. We hold insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for cancer, peptic ulcers, wound healing, or dysmenorrhea (period pain).

That doesn't mean it doesn't work — it means large, well-designed human studies haven't been done or published yet.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Pau D'arco

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Pau d'arco is generally well tolerated at standard doses, but human safety data is limited. The herb's lapachol content becomes a concern at higher doses — above 1.5 grams daily — where it can cause anemia, bleeding risk, severe nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

The safety data advises against use during pregnancy due to possible harm to the developing baby. There isn't enough information to know whether it's safe while breastfeeding, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Pau D'arco

Meds to double-check

Moderate interaction found
Known Interaction Concern · database check
Moderate identified

The most serious documented interaction for these ingredients is Moderate. Check your medications for a personalized result.

Why this rating?
  • 1 of the 1 matched ingredient can interact with medications — Pau D'arco.
  • The most serious interaction on file is rated Moderate.
  • Some involve high-stakes drug classes: anticoagulant / antiplatelet drugs.
  • For scale: 122 individual medications appear in the full list. A big number alone doesn't make a product dangerous — what matters is whether YOUR medication is on it, so run yours through the interaction checker on this page.

Check before taking this product if you use any blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs — including warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, and other similar medications. These account for the documented moderate-severity interactions with pau d'arco.

Check your own medication Run your meds through the checker above

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no assessable stated purpose. Moderate medication interactions have been identified, and safety information is well characterized.

Pau D'Arco may be worth considering if you're exploring herbal options for its traditional uses, but the evidence doesn't support its effectiveness yet. If you take any blood thinner or antiplatelet medication, check with your own doctor or pharmacist first — the bleeding risk is real.

Anyone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking higher doses should do the same.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated Oct 24, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Pau D'Arco, straight from the product label.

Brand Nature's Sunshine
Barcode (UPC) 099904005044
Net contents 100 Capsule(s)
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD Oct 24, 2022
DSLD ID 278196
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Capsule
Dietary claims / uses All Other, Structure/Function
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years), Kosher
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Pau D'Arco by Nature's Sunshine, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
2 Capsule(s)
Servings per container
50
UPC/BARCODE
099904005044
IngredientAmount% DV
Pau d'Arco1000 mg--

Other ingredients: Capsule, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
FDA Disclaimer Statement

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

General Statements

Bottle made from 100% post consumer recycled material. We are committed to you and our planet. Scan to learn more.

New Look! Same great product

Formulation

May provide a source of antioxidants

Traditional immune support Guaranteed pure

Precautions

Consult your health care provider prior to using this product if you are taking blood thinning medications, or have a bleeding disorder. Pregnant or lactating women should consult their health care provider prior to taking this supplement.

Seals/Symbols

Ko Pareve (Kosher)

Formula

Ko Pareve (Kosher)

FDA Statement of Identity

Dietary Supplement

Brand IP Statement(s)

Natures Sunshine Herbal experts since 1972

Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

Recommended use: Take 2 capsules with a meal three times daily.

See for yourself

Pau D'Arco by Nature's Sunshine label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Pau D'Arco by Nature's Sunshine

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size2 Capsule(s) Dosage formCapsule Servings per container50 Amounts shown are per serving.

Pau d'Arco

Interacts with
122 drugs
1000 mg per serving

Pau d'arco is a South American tree bark traditionally used for infections and inflammation, and it contains compounds like lapachol that show activit...

Pau d'Arco monograph & interactions

Other (inactive) ingredients: Capsule, Vegetable Magnesium Stearate, Silicon Dioxide. These complete the product’s ingredient list but are not active constituents.

Interaction report

Pau D'Arco by Nature's Sunshine Drug Interactions

Want to check YOUR meds against Pau D'Arco?

Ask about interactions with your drugs in plain English — “Can I take it with lisinopril?” — and we find you the answer in seconds, ingredient by ingredient.

Go to the checker
122Drugs
122 Moderate

Ingredients driving the most interactions

Each ingredient & the kinds of drugs it affects

For each ingredient in Pau D'Arco with known interactions, here are the types of medications it can affect. Open any type for the detail — or search your exact drug in the checker above.

Pau d'Arco1 drug type · 122 drugs

Anticoagulant/Antiplatelet Drugs

Theoretically, pau d'arco might increase the risk of bleeding when taken with anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs.
In vitro research shows that pau d'arco reduces platelet aggregation and may interfere with vitamin K. One clinical study shows that taking the lapachol constituent of pau d'arco in doses above 1.5 grams daily increases the risk of bleeding. The effects of whole pau d'arco or pau d'arco extract in humans are unclear.

Likelihood Possible Evidence D
The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Pau D'Arco, from the product label.

Nature's Sunshine

See all Nature's Sunshine products
Name
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.
City
Spanish Fork
State
Utah
ZipCode
84660
Phone Number
1-800-223-8225
Web Address
www.naturessunshine.com
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Pau D'Arco by Nature's Sunshine: Common Questions

Does Pau D'Arco by Nature's Sunshine interact with any medications?
Yes. Based on its ingredients, Pau D'Arco has a known interaction with 122 medications. Use the checker to see how it interacts with a specific drug.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Pau D'Arco contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Can I take Pau D'Arco if I'm pregnant?
No. The safety data advises against it due to possible harm to the developing baby and lack of safety data. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist about alternatives if you're pregnant or planning to become pregnant.
Is it safe to take while breastfeeding?
There isn't enough information to know either way. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice — they know your health and your baby's needs best.
What does Pau D'Arco do?
It's traditionally used for cancer, peptic ulcers, wound healing, and period pain. However, we don't have enough reliable evidence to rate whether it actually works for any of these uses.
What are the side effects?
At standard doses, side effects are uncommon. At higher doses — above 1.5 grams daily — the herb can cause anemia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased bleeding risk. Human safety data is limited overall.
How much should I take?
The product facts don't specify a dose. Follow the label instructions or talk with your pharmacist about what's right for you.
Does it interact with my medications?
If you take blood thinners or antiplatelet drugs, yes — pau d'arco may increase bleeding risk. Use the search tool on this page to check your exact medications, and talk with your doctor or pharmacist before starting.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Pau D'Arco is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Pau D'Arco label
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Pau D'Arco's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 6 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Pau D'arco 6 references
  1. Gómez Castellanos JR, Prieto JM, Heinrich M. Red Lapacho (Tabebuia impetiginosa)--a global ethnopharmacological commodity? J Ethnopharmacol 2009;121:1-13. PubMed
  2. Guerra, Mde O., Mazoni, A. S., Brandao, M. A., and Peters, V. M. Toxicology of Lapachol in rats: embryolethality. Braz.J Biol. 2001;61(1):171-174. PubMed
  3. Felicio, A. C., Chang, C. V., Brandao, M. A., Peters, V. M., and Guerra, Mde O. Fetal growth in rats treated with lapachol. Contraception 2002;66(4):289-293. PubMed
  4. Son, D. J., Lim, Y., Park, Y. H., Chang, S. K., Yun, Y. P., Hong, J. T., Takeoka, G. R., Lee, K. G., Lee, S. E., Kim, M. R., Kim, J. H., and Park, B. S. Inhibitory effects of Tabebuia impetiginosa inner bark extract on platelet aggregation and vascular s
  5. Block JB, Serpick AA, Miller W, Wiernik PH. Early clinical studies with lapachol (NSC-11905). Cancer Chemother Rep 2. 1974;4(4):27-8.
  6. Algranti E, Mendonça EM, Ali SA, Kokron CM, Raile V. Occupational asthma caused by Ipe (Tabebuia spp) dust. J Investig Allergol Clin Immunol 2005;15(1):81-3.

See these in context on the Pau D'arco monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring