Cure all Preventative Herbal Remedies
Regenerate Your Reality, Filmed interview with Edward Bernhardt, New Dawn Center!
We are going to dedicate this article to these majestic trees that bloom in the dry season of Costa Rica:
Roble Sabana
CURE ALL
Roble Sabana
These beautiful native trees grow naturally in the savannahs and coastal regions, as well as parks and avenues across the country. They are also found growing naturally from Brazil and Argentina all the way to Mexico and southern U.S. Each country has a different name for them, and it’s also common to find them around the world in tropical regions as decorative trees. They convey a sense of joy for the glory of Nature in all its splendor.
Indigenous tribes throughout the neotropics also learned something special about these trees. At least 1,500 years ago, they discovered the inner bark of these trees had powerful healing properties.
Today the common name for this group of trees, which belong to the genus Tabebuia and Tecoma is pau d’arco, which means tree of the bow in Portuguese. Here in Costa Rica, Roble Sabana (Tabebuia rosea), Cortez Negro (Tabebuia impectignosa), and Vainicillo (Tecoma sans) are the species known for their healing benefits. It´s now been 43 years since I came to Costa Rica, in search of these trees. To my delight I was able to identify these 3 species here in the country and begin testing the inner bark as a tea for my family, friends, and neighbors. The results were truly amazing and since then, hundreds of people have benefited from our Pau d’ Arco products.
Powerful Immune Booster Thanks to Quercetin
Another powerful ingredient in Roble Sabana or Pau d'Arco is the quercetin, an antioxidant flavonol shown to cleanse the blood and combat inflammation and viral illnesses. It also acts as a natural antihistamine. As a supplement, quercetin has been used to ameliorate obesity, Type 2 diabetes, circulatory dysfunction, chronic inflammation, hay fever and mood disorders. A number of studies have also highlighted quercetin's ability to prevent and treat both the common cold and influenza. In a study funded by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), published in 2008, animals treated with quercetin were challenged with a highly pathogenic H1N1 influenza virus. Again, the treatment group had significantly lower morbidity and mortality than the placebo group. Reducing infected cells' resistance to treatment with antiviral medication. Other research funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, found quercetin reduces viral illness and boosts mental performance following extreme physical stress, which might otherwise undermine your immune function. To investigate the effects of quercetin on viral illness, 40 cyclists were divided into two groups: Half received a daily dose of 1,000 mg of quercetin in combination with vitamin C (which enhances plasma quercetin levels) and niacin (to improve absorption) for five weeks while the other half received a placebo. Three weeks into the trial, the athletes rode a bicycle for three hours a day, three days in a row. Analysis of blood and tissue samples collected before and after exertion revealed 45% of the placebo group contracted viral illness after the physical stress, compared to just 5% of the treatment group. The results were considered "groundbreaking," as this was the first clinical, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study to identify a natural plant compound capable of preventing viral illness.
Research Demonstrates Quercetin's Potent Antiviral Effects
A number of studies have confirmed quercetin's effectiveness against influenza and other viruses, including hepatitis B and C viruses. For example: A 1985 study found quercetin inhibits infectivity and replication of herpes simplex virus type 1, polio virus type 1, parainfluenza virus type 3 and respiratory syncytial virus. A 2010 animal study found that quercetin inhibits both influenza A and B viruses. Two other important discoveries were made. Firstly, the viruses were unable to develop resistance to quercetin and, secondly, when used concomitant with antiviral drugs (amantadine or oseltamivir), the effect was significantly amplified, and it prevented drug resistance to develop.
Pau D'Arco Is an All-Around Health Booster
As you can see, Pau d'Arco has a wide variety of benefits, from boosting your general health and immune function to combating infectious, chronic and age-related disease. It can be used in a variety of forms, including: Tincture or liquid, tablets, softgels, capsules, powder, ointment and tea. To ensure quality and effectiveness, look for products that specify using the inner portion of the bark from the Tabebuia species of Pau d'Arco, as this is the most potent part of the tree. Many will use both inner and outer bark, resulting in diminished quality. Keep in mind that, while generally safe with few side effects, Pau d'Arco may cause upset stomach and/or nausea when taken at high dosages. Stay within the recommended dosage for the product you buy, as excessive amounts could be toxic and/or produce side effects. Also, Pau d'Arco is not recommended for children and pregnant or breastfeeding women and should be avoided if you're on blood thinners as it may increase your risk of bleeding.
For the past 20 years, we have invited people of all ages and nationalities to join us in creating ecological health gardens at New Dawn Center, located in the scenic Talamanca Mountains, 700 meters above the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. A beautiful mountain river borders the farm where wildlife abounds and the rural area surrounding our center is ideal for exploring rainforests, hiking and bird watching. Just an hour from the Pacific Ocean and Chirripo Park, the highest peak in Central America. We have created a "bio-support system" that demonstrates permaculture practices in the tropics. Our organic gardens produce a year-round supply of nutritious food for the family and students. A charming bamboo cabin accommodates our students. We offer students a work exchange program for room and gas.
About the Author
Ed Bernhardt, N.D. works with tropical medicinal plants and gardens in Costa Rica. He is the author of The Costa Rican Organic Gardening Guide and the Spanish translation, Huertas Naturales Para Costa Rica. His latest guide, Medicinal Plants of Costa Rica, is widely read in the country as a reference on this subject. He is also the author of Natural Health Care Therapies for Tropical Living, which is used as the text for his popular course on integrative health care. Since 1987, Ed has been teaching people of all ages and backgrounds.
Sept 24th Seminar with Group : Sarah Banch, Zai Villenas, Jean Pullen with Edward Bernhardt
