Flavonoids

Studies show that palo azul tea is rich in flavonoids & polyphenols

Many studies have shown that palo azul tea is rich in polyphenolic compounds, known as flavonoids. A 2021 study mentions that several types of phytonutrients have been identified in palo azul including "flavonoids, polyphenols, phenolic compounds, flavones, flavanones, isoflavones chalcones and dihydrochalcones." 

WebMD describes polyphenols (phytonutrients), as "micronutrients that naturally occur in plants." These phytochemicals are produced by plants to fight off oxidative stress, inflammation, fungi, bacteria and other diseases.

According to a 2016 review, flavonoids are "a group of natural substances with polyphenolic structures and they're found in fruits, vegetables, grains, bark, roots, stems, flowers, tea and wine. These natural products are well known for their beneficial effects on health."

What types of flavonoids & polyphenols does palo azul have?

This 2018 study mentions that "phytochemical studies indicate that E. polystachya (palo azul) contains polyphenols. The bioactive components were isolated, and their chemical structure determined to be chalcones, dihydrochalcones, and flavonoids."

Another 2018 study similarly concluded that "phytochemical studies indicate that E. polystachya contains polyphenols, and previous chemical examination of this species led to the isolation and structural elucidation of several flavonoids." 

A 2014 study found that palo azul's "antioxidant activity may be attributed to the presence of phenolic and flavonoid compounds."

This 2011 study also mentions that "phytochemical studies of the aqueous extract of C. genistoides (palo azul) showed the presence of saponins, flavonoids, tannins, and anthraquinones."

A 2008 study showed that "among the E. polystachya components, there can be found polyphenol compounds, tannins, or flavonoid compounds."

Lastly, a 2020 study mentions that "the Eysenhardtia genus has shown to be an excellent source of secondary metabolites with flavonoids, flavones, isoflavones, flavonones, phenolic compounds, chalcones, dihydrochalcones, coumarins, pterocarpan, sugars, and fatty acids, among others."

 

 

 

Clinical studies

Palo azul is commonly referred to by its scientific name: Eysenhardtia polystachya (E. polystachya, E.P), Cyclolepis genistoides (C. genistoides), kidney wood and palo dulce

 

(2021) Screening Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Flavanones Solutions

(2020) Phytochemical and Pharmacological Study of the Eysenhardtia Genus

(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

(2016) Diuretic activity of the bark of Eysenhardtia polystachya

(2018) Protection of silver nanoparticles using Eysenhardtia polystachya in peroxide-induced pancreatic β-Cell damage and their antidiabetic properties in zebrafish

(2014) Evaluation of antidiabetic, antioxidant and antiglycating activities of the Eysenhardtia polystachya

(2011) SEPARACIÓN Y EVALUACIÓN DEL EFECTO ANTIINFLAMATORIO Y ANTIOXIDANTE DE LOS FLAVONOIDES DE Eysenhardtia polystachya (Ort.) Sarg.

(2011) Anti-inflammatory properties from isolated compounds of Cyclolepis genistoides

(2008) Development of a capillary electrophoresis method for the characterization of “palo azul” (Eysenhardtia polystachya)

(2007) Estudio Etnobotánico de Eysenhardtia Polystachia (Ort.) Sarg. En una Comunidad del Municipio de Zempola, Hidalgo, y Evaluación del Efecto Diurético en Rata

(2016) Flavonoids: An Overview