If you have searched for this tea, you have probably seen several names for it: taheebo, pau d'arco, lapacho, ipê roxo, and spellings like tahebo and tahibo. Most of the time these all point to the same thing, the inner bark of one South American tree. Here is how the names fit together.
The short version
- Pau d'arco is the most common name in English. It is Portuguese, and it translates literally as "bow wood" or "bow stick."
- Taheebo is another name for the tree and its bark. It is widely used in the tea and supplement trade. Tahebo and tahibo are spelling variations of the same word.
- Lapacho is another common name, often written as red lapacho or pink lapacho for the tree most often used for tea.
- Ipê roxo is the Brazilian Portuguese name for the tree. "Roxo" means purple.
Yes, we also see searches for "Tebow tea." It is the same tea, spelled by ear.
Which tree is it?
The tree behind most Taheebo tea is Handroanthus impetiginosus. Older books and many product labels use the name Tabebuia impetiginosa or Tabebuia avellanedae. These are synonyms for the same species, which is why you can see three Latin names for one tree. A 2009 review in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology describes it as a canopy tree native to the Amazon rainforest and other parts of South America, and lists the two older names together.
Our Taheebo Wellness Tea is the inner bark of this tree, from Brazil.
Why the names can still be confusing
"Pau d'arco" and "lapacho" are not exclusive to one species. The genus Handroanthus is known in Latin America as pau d'arco, and related trees in the genus Tabebuia are sold under similar names. That is why the Latin name on a label matters more than the common name.
What to look for on a label
- A Latin name. Handroanthus impetiginosus, or the older Tabebuia impetiginosa or Tabebuia avellanedae. If a label only says "pau d'arco," ask which tree.
- The part of the tree. Look for inner bark. Some products grind outer bark or the whole log. Our research partner site explains how to tell the difference in its inner bark sourcing guide.
- Where it comes from and how it was tested. Our Taheebo Wellness Tea is pure inner bark from Brazil, third-party tested for authenticity and purity, with no additives or fillers.
Ready to try it?
Taheebo is a bark, so it is brewed by simmering, not steeped like a tea bag. See our brewing instructions, and our guide to Fine Grind vs. Coarse Cut if you are choosing between the two. If you want the research on this plant, with every study labeled by how strong the evidence is, visit pau-darco.com.
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. Pregnant women should avoid this product. Consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement.
Sources: Handroanthus impetiginosus, Wikipedia; Red Lapacho (Tabebuia impetiginosa), a global ethnopharmacological commodity? J Ethnopharmacol 2009.