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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