Ipê-roxo: what it is for, how to use it and how to make tea

Purple ipê is a tree that has antimicrobial, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and, therefore, helps combat various health problems such as gastric ulcers, rheumatoid arthritis and psoriasis, for example.

This tree is found mainly in South America, being scientifically known as Tabebuia impetiginosa and, in several countries, with the names of ipê, ipê-rosa, pau d’arco, ipê-mirim and lapacho, for example.

Ipe-roxo can be purchased in health food stores or pharmacies, in the form of bark, leaves or flowers, which are used to prepare teas, or found in the form of capsules, tinctures or powder.

What is it for

Ipe-roxo can be recommended for:

1. Help treat gastric ulcer

Because it contains type II arabinogalactan, which is a polysaccharide with gastroprotective, antioxidant and healing action, purple ipê helps reduce the action of gastric acids, treating and preventing gastric ulcers. Check out other natural remedies for gastric ulcers.

2. Prevent respiratory problems

Purple ipê helps prevent and treat respiratory infections such as flu, asthma and bronchitis, because it contains lapachol, lapachone and xyloidone, which are organic compounds with antiviral, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.

3. Relieve pain

As it has analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, purple ipê can be indicated to relieve muscle pain, headaches and also to complement the treatment of situations such as osteoarthritis, lupus and rheumatoid arthritis.

4. Treat skin problems

Ipe-roxo contains lapachones, xyloidone lapachol and chloroidolapachol, organic compounds with antibacterial and antifungal action. Therefore, this plant can be recommended to complement the treatment of skin problems, such as wounds, candidiasis, brucellosis, ringworm and psoriasis.

5. Promote weight loss

As it has a diuretic action, purple ipê can be used in the preparation of teas to reduce fluid retention, promoting weight loss. See other teas that help with weight loss.

6. Help prevent cancer

Ipe-roxo has good amounts of lapachol and β-lapachone, organic compounds that have antiproliferative, antioxidant and immunomodulatory effects. Thus, purple ipe can be indicated to help prevent some types of cancer, such as bone marrow, skin and liver cancer.

However, studies with human beings are still needed to prove the benefits of ipê-roxo in the prevention and treatment of cancer.

How to use

Ipe-roxo can be used in the form of teas, which can be prepared with dry or fresh bark or leaves.

Ipe-roxo can also be used in the form of capsules, and it is generally recommended to take 200 to 300 mg, twice a day; as a tincture, recommended to ingest between 50 and 100 drops up to 3 times a day; or in powder form, it is recommended to dilute between 300 to 500 mg in a glass of water and take it up to 3 times a day.

However, the use of purple ipê should always be guided by a doctor or other health professional with knowledge of natural plants.

How to make purple ipê tea

To make tea, it is usually recommended to use the leaves or bark of the purple ipê, which are the parts that contain the greatest properties.

Ingredients:

• 15 to 20 g of purple ipê bark;
• 500 ml of water.

Preparation mode:

Place the water and peel in a pan or kettle and bring to a boil for 10 to 15 minutes. Wait for it to cool down, strain the drink and then drink it. It is recommended to drink up to 3 cups of this tea per day.

Possible side effects

Excessive intake of purple ipe can cause some side effects, such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Furthermore, it can also increase the risk of bleeding, due to its anticoagulant effect.

Who should not consume

Ipe-roxo should not be consumed by pregnant women, due to its abortifacient effect. It should also not be consumed by women during the lactation period or by children, due to the lack of scientific evidence proving its safety in these cases.

People who take anticoagulants should also avoid using purple ipê, as it contains compounds that can alter the effect of this medication. Ipe-roxo should not be taken at least two weeks before surgery, as it increases the risk of bleeding.

Furthermore, people with high blood pressure or alcoholism should not use purple ipê tincture, as it contains alcohol.