Rainforest Research Report
By Christian Drapeau,
BSc., MSc.
SANGRE DE DRAGO
Croton Lechleri
Common
Names:
Sangre de Drago, Sangre de Grado, Dragon's Blood,
Drago, Sangue de Drago
Part used:
Bark, Resin
Description
and Habitat:
Sangre de Drago (Croton lechleri) is a fast growing tree reaching 60
feet in height found throughout the tropics and the Amazon regions of
South America, with the highest quality material originating in the
upper jungle of Peru. The distinguishing mark of this tree resides in
the fact that when the trunk of the tree is cut or wounded, a dark red
sappy resin oozes out as if the tree was bleeding.
Indigenous
Traditional Use:
Sangre de Drago is used extensively by indigenous cultures of the
Amazon River basin for its remarkable healing properties. Applied to
the skin on abrasions, cuts, scratches, and blisters, Sangre de Drago
almost immediately forms a brownish gel over the lesion that seals the
wound. Applied on bites and stings it halts the symptoms of pain and
itching within minutes, with a subsequent reduction in swelling and
redness. Sangre de Drago is reported by indigenous people to foster
wound healing at a rate that is superior to natural processes, and it
does so with reduced pain, inflammation, and scarring. Indigenous
people also take Sangre de Drago orally in a diluted form (e.g. three
drops in a beverage two or three times a day) for gastrointestinal
disorders, gastritis, gastric ulcer, intestinal infections, colitis and
parasites.
Scientific
Studies - Mechanism of Action
The rapid coagulation of the blood is due to Sangre de Drago’s ability
to co-precipitate with proteins and other components of the blood and
underlying tissue. The healing properties of Sangre de Drago have been
linked to the presence of a compound called taspine. This was in part
discovered by observing that the most effective Sangre de Drago came
from the upper jungle of Peru where the sap contains much more taspine
than, for example, the less potent Ecuadorian sap. Nevertheless, many
scientists believe that the efficacy of Sangre de Drago as a
cicatrizant agent is perhaps better explained by the presence of an
array of chemicals acting in concert rather than a single chemical.
This is well exemplified by the documented benefits of Sangre de Drago
on gastric ulcers. Aside from the presence of taspine, the healing
effect of Sangre de Drago on gastric ulcers seems to be a combination
of the presence of strong anti-bacterial components acting on the
bacterium Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium strongly associated with
gastric ulcers and believed to be a causal agent, and anti-inflammatory
properties.
A recent
scientific study revealed that nearly 90% of dried Sangre de Drago sap
was composed of one of the most potent antioxidants, proanthocyanidin,
also known as Pycnogenol® and grape seed extract. This strong presence
of antioxidant activity may in part explain the effect of Sangre de
Drago on colitis and other digestive disorders, by reducing
inflammation in the intestinal mucosa. The high concentration of bitter
bioflavonoids – proanthocyanidins are bioflavonoids- in Sangre de Drago
may explain its action of intestinal parasite. It is also noteworthy
that a U.S.-based pharmaceutical company has developed two
pharmaceutical drugs that contain antiviral constituents isolated and
extracted from the bark and resin of Sangre de Drago.
In conclusion,
let’s simply say that the combination of antimicrobial, antioxidant,
antiviral, and cicatrizant properties makes Sangre de Drago a
fascinating yet complex herbal remedy with exceptional healing
properties.
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BENEFITS AND USE OF SANGRE DE DRAGO
Wounds
Carry Sangre de Drago with you, in
your purse or backpack, and apply it to any wound, cut or abrasion.
Intestinal Health
To strengthen the wall of the intestine and eliminate conditions linked
to a leaky gut, add a teaspoon of Sangre
de Drago to one liter of water and drink throughout the day for
approximately two weeks.
To help get rid of
parasites, add three to four teaspoons of Sangre
de Drago to one liter of water and drink for a few days.
For Antioxidant
Nutrition
Sangre de Drago is one of the best sources of powerful antioxidants.
Add Sangre de Drago everyday to your
smoothie in order to promote cardiovascular health.
Facial
The antioxidant properties of Sangre de
Drago make it an exceptional facial to rejuvenate the skin. Apply a
few drops on your face that you gently rub into a thin foam. Let it sit
for about fifteen minutes and then gently remove the film with a damp
lukewarm clot.
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The
information contained in this article is intended for educational
purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat or
prevent any disease. If you have any health concern, it is recommended
that you seek the advise of a certified health practitioner.
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Christian
Drapeau, BSc., MSc., is a neurophysiologist with over 13 years research
experience in the fields of natural foods and nutrition. He is the
former Chief Scientist at Cell Tech where he directed research on Aphanizomenon
flos-aquae, and is currently Chief Scientist for Desert Lake
Technologies, Oregon. Mr. Drapeau received a BSc. in Neurophysiology
from McGill University, Montreal, and a MSc. from the Montreal
Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal. |
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See also:
- Amazon Herb formulas containing Sangre de Drago:
Sangre de Drago, Fiberzon™, Gravizon™,
Illumination™
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