Evaluation of the use of Pau-Darco Elixir as a complementary therapy to cancer treatment

Abstract

Objective: to evaluate the follow-up of the use of Elixir of Pau D'arco (Handroanthus Avellanedae (Lorentz Ex Griseb) Mattos (Sin: Tabebuia Avellanedae Lorentz Ex Griseb) in complementary therapy to the treatment of neoplasms, produced and dispensed in the Phytotherapy Sector of the Coordination of Pharmaceutical Assistance Policies of the Health Department of the State of Ceará Methods: this is a basic, descriptive, documental research based on secondary data with a qualitative and quantitative approach. Results: 387 files were analyzed with clinical records of patients with cancer between the months of March 2016 to March 2020, whose Elixir was dispensed with medical prescription (34.5%) and pharmaceutical guidance (65.5%).As for the therapeutic response to treatment, these patients reported significant improvement with the complementary use of Pau D'Arco Elixir and did not know of other integrative practices.Diterpene alkaloids extracted from medicinal plants such as Taxol, also have have been used in the treatment of several types of cancer, among others. Conclusion: These results demonstrate the importance of using alternative complementary medicine in the treatment of neoplasms.