Sangre De Grado

For centuries, the red sap of the legendary Sangre de
grado, also known in Brazil and Peru as Sangre de drago or
dragon's blood, has been widely used by the indigenous
tribes of the Amazon as a remedy for wounds and
gastrointestinal problems. It is actually a large tree that
is native to the Peruvian portion of the Amazon rainforest.
It is valued for its healing qualities particularly to cure
stomach ulcers and similar intestinal disorders, making it
one of the widely used alternative medicines in the market
today.

Current researches have indicated that Sangre de grado,
other than being an effective cure against ulcers,
irritable bowel syndromes, and antimicrobial distresses; it
is also used as a cure for inflammation and sensory
afferent dependent actions. Wounds from tooth extractions,
cuts, bruises, burns, herpes, virus ulcers, including
fungi, rashes, dermatitis, insect bites, allergic skin
reactions, stomach ulcers, colitis, and dysentery are
covered by this herbal medicine. To top it all off, like
other alternative wellness products, Sangre de grado is
also cost-effective.

Sangre de grado is the extracted resin of the Sangre de
grado tree, scientifically known as, Croton lechleri. It
contains helpful plant chemicals such as proanthocyanidins,
phenols, phytosterols, diterpenes, taspine, an alkaloid,
and dimethylcedrusine, a lignan. These chemicals, in
controlled dosages, are noted for its therapeutic effects
on the digestive and intestinal tract.

Its ability to heal wounds was first attributed to the
antitumorous taspine alkaloid. Another element found in the
sangre de grado resin is the lignan dimethylcedrusine,
proven to contribute to the body's fast wound-healing. Some
studies also point to the sangre de grado's ability to
stimulate contraction of wounds, which results in scab
formation on the wounds. There was even a study that proved
that the resin of the sangre de grado tree is more
effective for wound healing and collagen formation than its
isolated chemicals.

Taspine was also indicated to be effective against the
herpes virus, aside from its being rich in phytochemicals,
which contribute to its would-healing properties. It was
also found that sangre de grado had antioxidant effects and
anti fungal properties. To be noted here is that in one
study, it was indicated that sangre de grado had an in
vitro effect against stomach and colon cancer cells. It had
likewise antiviral properties, making one resistant to
influenza, para influenza, and hepatitis A and B, among a
host of diseases it actually is thought to cure.

Just recently, tests have been conducted to validate the
therapeutic claims of the sangre de grado resin. For
instance, people would rather choose a sangre de grado balm
than a placebo, to relieve swelling, discomfort, pain, and
redness, as a result of fire ants, bees, cuts, mosquitoes,
wasps, and allergic plant reactions. Results revealed that
patients who opt for sangre de grado felt relieved after
minutes, with symptoms, such as those that were previously
mentioned disappearing within six hours.

With or without scientific studies, it has always been
found that the Sangre de Grado is an effective and a true
alternative medicine.

----------------------------------------------------
Patricia McDougall B.Sc. is a Chartered Herbalist and
graduate of the Dominion Herbal College, British Columbia,
Canada. Originally from Peru, Patricia is the Director of
Research and Development for Amazon Botanicals LLC of
Newark Delaware.
http://www.amazon-botanicals.com/Sangre_de_grado_s/47.htm