Lapacho, known as the "tea of the Incas", is more than just an exotic curiosity – it's a true treasure of nature. This unique plant boasts a long history of use in South American folk medicine. For centuries, its bark helped with infections, inflammation, and digestive problems. Today, it’s gaining popularity as an ingredient in herbal teas and yerba mate. Find out what Pau d’Arco bark is, what properties it has, and how you can incorporate this fascinating ingredient into your daily routine.
Summary:
Although lapacho is still a relatively new and exotic ingredient in teas and infusions for many, its history dates back hundreds of years. This plant was known and used by indigenous peoples of South America – primarily the Incas, as well as the Guarani and Tupi tribes. In their cultures, lapacho tree bark played an important role – not only as a daily beverage but also as a component of rituals and traditional herbal knowledge.
Lapacho, also known as pau d’Arco, taheebo, tahuari or ipê roxo, comes from trees of the Tabebuia genus, which grow wild in the tropical rainforests of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Bolivia, and Peru. The most commonly used species are Tabebuia impetiginosa (also known as Handroanthus impetiginosus) and Tabebuia serratifolia.
What does lapacho look like? This impressive tree can reach up to 30 metres in height. It is particularly known for its spectacular, trumpet-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple or violet, which typically bloom during the dry season. Lapacho bark is thick, hard, and has a rough texture.
It is the inner layer of this bark that is used as the raw material for preparing infusions. This is the so-called "living" part of the bark, rich in active ingredients such as lapachol, beta-lapachone, quercetin, and anthocyanins. In contrast to the outer, hard and woody layer, this soft inner part has a faint pink or reddish colour – and it’s this part that gives the infusion its flavour, aroma, and beneficial properties.
For centuries, lapacho has been passed down from generation to generation as an important element of indigenous health practices and daily wellness care. While modern phytotherapy has only been studying this exceptional ingredient for a few decades, interest in it continues to grow – not only due to its natural origin and exotic character, but also in response to the growing shift toward mindful, sustainable lifestyles and drawing inspiration from nature.
It's worth knowing that only properly prepared and dried lapacho bark is used in infusions and herbal blends – so always choose trusted products if you want to enjoy its full flavour and aromatic qualities.
💡 Lapacho – what is it? It’s not just a short-lived trend, but a centuries-old tradition. Even centuries ago, the Incas and other Amazonian peoples used the bark of Tabebuia trees to prepare infusions with unique flavour and properties. Today, lapacho is enjoying a revival and more and more often makes its way into our cups – either as a standalone tea or a distinctive addition to yerba mate.
While lapacho tea has been known to humanity for many centuries, it wasn’t until the 20th century that the scientific world began to take interest. Modern phytochemical studies clearly show that pau d’Arco bark contains a unique set of active compounds that may positively affect the human body – of course, when consumed as part of a balanced, healthy diet.
Researchers have been particularly focused on two compounds – lapachol and beta-lapachone. Both belong to a group of substances called naphthoquinones – natural organic compounds that have demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant activity in lab tests. The bark also contains: flavonoids, catechins, and phenolic acids.
🔍 Properties of lapacho identified by scientific research and herbal tradition include:
Research into these properties is ongoing, and some of it is based on preliminary in vitro testing and animal model studies. Nonetheless, the results are promising enough that lapacho has attracted growing interest from dietitians and phytotherapists.
It’s also increasingly appreciated that lapacho infusions can have calming effects, help with digestion, and reduce feelings of tiredness. Some people drink lapacho preventatively, as part of a daily wellness routine.
💬 Scientific source: Zhang J. et al. (2020). "Tabebuia impetiginosa: A Comprehensive Review on Traditional Uses, Phytochemistry, and Immunopharmacological Properties." Molecules, 18;25 (18): 4294.
How does lapacho work? At its core, it owes its biological properties to high concentrations of naturally occurring plant compounds. It’s a valuable ingredient that can enrich your diet with simple herbal rituals. Importantly, lapacho bark does not contain caffeine, making it suitable for evening consumption without stimulating the nervous system.
Lapacho is a versatile raw material that can be used both on its own, in the form of a bark infusion, and as a flavourful and functional addition to herbal blends and yerba mate. Thanks to its properties and gentle action, lapacho tea can be enjoyed practically any time of day – even in the evening, as it contains no caffeine.
☕ Lapacho – how to brew it?
The most common method is to prepare a traditional decoction from pau d’Arco bark. This process differs slightly from conventional herbal infusions or brewing mate leaves and requires gentle boiling to extract the full range of active substances contained within the bark.
Traditionally, people drink 1-2 cups of lapacho infusion per day, preferably between meals. Thanks to its pleasant woody-vanilla aroma and well-balanced flavour, lapacho bark also makes an excellent base for creating your own herbal blends.
If you don’t want to boil the bark yourself, but would still like to enjoy its properties and taste, a great alternative is to choose yerba mate with added lapacho. These ready-made blends are carefully formulated and require no special preparation – just pour hot water over the dried herbs, and it’s ready to enjoy.
When is it a good idea to reach for lapacho infusion?
💡 Good to know: Lapacho earned its nickname “tea of the Incas” for good reason. This remarkable drink can become part of your daily wellness routine – whether enjoyed on its own or paired with yerba mate. Proper preparation is key to making the most of its potential and unique flavour!
If you want to include lapacho in your daily routine in a simple and convenient way – an excellent solution is to choose yerba mate blends with added pau d’Arco bark. It’s the perfect combination of two worlds: natural stimulation from yerba mate leaves and the properties and subtle flavour of tropical lapacho. In such products, the amount of lapacho is significantly smaller than in pure lapacho tea, making them a great choice for those who wish to introduce new ingredients into their diets gradually. What’s more – these professionally developed blends require no time-consuming preparation as traditional decoctions do. Simply pour water over the herbs and enjoy a delicious, balanced drink!
In our shop, you’ll find – among others – two exceptional yerba mate blends with lapacho, which we highly recommend for both beginners and more seasoned mate tea drinkers. Discover them below:
Both yerba mates perfectly demonstrate that lapacho tree bark doesn’t need to be used alone to unleash its full potential. When combined with energising mate, a unique synergy is created – full of natural power, herbal harmony, and distinctive flavour!
Lapacho bark, or pau d’Arco, used for centuries by the indigenous peoples of South America, today delights modern consumers with its gentleness, subtle flavour, and health-promoting potential. You can prepare a classic decoction from the bark or try ready-made yerba mate blends enriched with this singular ingredient. Regardless of the form you choose – it’s a fantastic way to enrich your daily habits with something every bit as exotic as it is natural.
Lapacho isn’t just for herbalists and fans of alternative drinks. It’s a great choice for anyone looking for inspiration in nature and wishing to take care of their well-being without artificial additives. Our yerba mate products with added lapacho bark – Verde Mate Temperamento and Yaguar Silueta – are aromatic compositions you’ll love having on hand every day.
Check out our range and find your favourite lapacho blend at MateMundo.co.uk. Let nature work for you – gently, effectively, and every single day!
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