Herbal teas like Palo Azul, Senna Tea, Jasmine Tea, etc., have become a fad among people as they offer many health benefits. These traditional teas have been prevalent for centuries and contain properties like antioxidants, anti-inflammatory, etc.
Let us understand in detail one of these herbal tea Palo Azul.
What is Palo Azul Tea?
Eysenharditia Polystachya, the scientific name for Palo Azul, is a herbal plant used in traditional medicine for centuries. The plant is native to Mexico and some parts of Southern America, and locals use the tree’s bark as a herbal remedy [1].
Kidney Wood, Blue Stick (due to its color), Snake Water, and Herbal Diuretic Tea are some other names for Palo Azul.
The tree bark has some unique nutrients that are used in herbal tea or tisane to make a detoxifying tonic. Currently, it is popular as a drug toxin cleanser due to its ability to remove drugs from the body.
Palo Azul can help to treat many health problems like kidney stones, diarrhea, colic pain, and urinary tract infection (UTI). It is also used as a diuretic for the kidney and liver and as an anti-inflammatory to treat issues like arthritis, sciatica, joint pain, etc.
The tea has a subtle and pleasant taste that almost feels like water. It tastes best when combined with cinnamon, lemon, and ginger.
Palo Azul Tea Benefits
People like Palo Azul due to its taste and health benefits. It has a mild flavor which makes the tea even more enjoyable.
Some of the health benefits offered by the tea are:
Helps With Kidney Problems
Research suggests that Kidney Wood tea helps prevent cell oxidation, reducing damage to pancreatic and kidney cells. And drinking tea regularly can regularise urination and eliminate toxins from the body. Thereby detoxifying the system and reducing kidney damage.
Helps in Reducing Rheumatism and Inflammation
The tea can reduce pains and aches related to inflammation and rheumatism. A study shows snake tea is beneficial in treating acute and chronic inflammation. It helps to reduce inflammation from gout and arthritis.
Works as Natural Diuretic
Palo Azul contains botanical properties and has a diuretic effect for detoxification. It is popular to help people pass a drug test by clearing toxins from the body.
It is also used as a herbal remedy for urinary tract, bladder, and kidney infections which is why it is known as a kidney detoxifier [2].
Lower Cholesterol Level
Studies show that kidneywood can help to lower triglycerides in the blood and cholesterol levels. And it further helps in preventing heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases.
Helps with Digestive Disorders
Palo Azul is high in anti-inflammatory properties that can help to reduce inflammation in the digestive tract. It also contains anti-diarrheal properties, making it a good remedy for digestive issues.
Prevent Chronic Disease
Kidneywood is rich in antioxidants that help fight against the system’s free radicals. It cleanses toxins and other chemicals out of the body. This reduces oxidative stress, preventing chronic diseases like stroke, heart, diabetes, and cancer.
Consuming the tea also prevents increasing glucose levels, reduces cholesterol, and protects liver health.
Good for Cardiovascular Health
Herbal Tea helps check cholesterol and blood pressure levels, thereby improving heart health. The tea’s flavonoids help reduce bad cholesterol and prevent plaque formation in arteries. This reduces the chances of stroke and other cardiovascular problems.
Kidneywood also contains tannins that help to lower blood pressure. It relaxes the muscles around blood vessels allowing blood to flow properly and reducing strain on the heart.
Helps with Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Palo Azul contains diuretic properties that help the toxins and bacteria clear out from the body, reducing the chances of bladder and urinary tract infections.
Contains Antifungal and Anti-Bacterial Properties
Kidneywood has botanical ingredients having antimicrobial properties. This helps to fight off any infection in the body.
Helps to Lose Weight
According to research, Palo Azul tea can help to reduce extra pounds. It contains properties that help lower blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and triglycerides and leads to healthy weight loss [3].
Clean Your System
The diuretic property in Palo Azul helps in retaining the water while excreting sodium levels from the body. This causes the body to cleanse and detoxify from the toxins and chemicals.
Prevents Cancer
Research shows that kidneywood contains anti-cancer properties.
The antioxidants help in protecting cell damage produced by free radicals. Free radicals are unstable molecules that cause cell death contributing to cancer.
Flavonoids in the Azul wood can help kill cancer cells and further prevent their growth.
Good for Skin Health
Kidneywood tea can improve your skin health. It reduces inflammation and prevents cell damage. Antioxidants help reduce inflammation and protect cells from damage due to free radicals. It also reduces oxidative stress, thus improving the overall appearance of the skin.
Research suggests that taking Palo Azul regularly prevents premature aging and can make your skin look younger and healthy.
Palo Azul Tea Side Effects
Palo Azul tea is safe to consume by anyone in moderate quantities. There are no side effects associated with drinking this tea.
If you consume this tea in high quantity, it may cause indigestion.
Also, pregnant and nursing mothers should avoid drinking this tea as there is no research to support its safety for new mothers.
What Is Palo Azul Tea Good For?
Research suggests that it is one of the most versatile teas due to its properties. It has strong antioxidant, anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and diuretic properties.
And due to these properties, it offers many health benefits. It helps to lower cholesterol, reduces back pain, lowers blood sugar, loses weight, protects against kidney and liver diseases, etc.
How Long Does Palo Azul Tea Last?
Palo Azul works within 3 hours of consuming the tea. And the tea can last for approx. 48 hours [4].
How Often Should I Drink Palo Azul Tea?
There is no suggested guidance on the quantity of Palo tea you should drink. However, you can consume 2-3 cups daily (similar to tea or coffee intake).
Palo Azul Tea Detox
According to research, Palo Azul is considered one of the best herbal teas to detoxify. The bark has botanical properties that make it a strong detoxifying tonic.
It has a unique, beautiful appearance with a mild flavor that offers exceptional health benefits.
How To Make Palo Azul Tea?
Making an Azul tea is relatively easy and simple.
Ingredients Required: Water and Bark Wood Chips
Procedure:
- Take 6 cups of water in a container and bring it to a boil.
- Add bark wood chips and boil for an hour at high flame. The wood chips should float on the water.
- Strain the water.
- You can either drink it hot or cold as per your preference.
- You can also add some sweetener, ginger, lemon, cinnamon, etc., according to your taste.
Bottom Line
Palo Azul is a herbal tea from Mexico and the southern part of the United States of America. It has been used as herbal medicine to treat several health issues for thousands of years.
The tea has a unique blue hue at a certain angle which is why it is also known as blue stick tea. Today, it is used to help with kidney, liver, and other health problems.
Palo Azul tea is considered ideal for cleansing and is one of the best in removing drug toxins from the body.
It has a fantastic flavor and mild taste, makings it an enjoyable drink.
Disclaimer: This article is only a guide. It does not substitute the advice given by your own healthcare professional. Before making any health-related decision, consult your healthcare professional.
Editorial References And Fact-Checking
- Pablo-Pérez, S. S., Parada-Cruz, B., Barbier, O. C., & Meléndez-Camargo, M. E. (2018). The Ethanolic Extract of Eysenhardtia polystachya (Ort.) Sarg. Bark and Its Fractions Delay the Progression of Rheumatoid Arthritis and Show Antinociceptive Activity in Murine Models. Iranian journal of pharmaceutical research : IJPR, 17(1), 236–248.
- Kidneywood. (n.d.). Retrieved September 26, 2022, from https://www.utep.edu/herbal-safety/herbal-facts/herbal%20facts%20sheet/kidneywood.html
- Gutierrez, R. M., & Baez, E. G. (2014). Evaluation of antidiabetic, antioxidant and antiglycating activities of the Eysenhardtia polystachya. Pharmacognosy magazine, 10(Suppl 2), S404–S418. https://doi.org/10.4103/0973-1296.133295