Pau d’arco is native to South America, where it has been used to treat a wide range of conditions. There are reports of medicinal uses of Pau d’arvo tea dating back to 1873. The bark is used both externally and internally to treat arthritis, pain, inflammation of the prostate gland, fever, boils, ulcers, fight candida and chronic fatigue, boost metabolism and treat various cancers. One of the easiest ways to use Pau d’arco is by consuming a tea from the bark or applying the tea water to the skin. It is antioxidant, antiviral and antimicrobial.