Sangre de Drago

Croton lechleri

Drago Dragon's Blood Sangre de Drago Sangue de Drago Uses Side effects and cautions

The sangre de drago tree is found in the Amazon rain forest and normally grows between 30 to 100 feet or 10 to 30 meters high occasionally getting in touch with the sunshade. What is significant is that when the trunk of the tree is either cut or injured, it gives out a resin like sap - making it appear as if the tree was suffering from hemorrhage. Hence, the tree is named sangre de drago in Spanish, which when translated into English literally means ‘blood of the dragon’. The red colored resin of the sangre de drago tree is therapeutically beneficial and has been used by people for ages to heal various disorders. The therapeutic benefits of the resin or ‘blood’ has been recognized as well as used by the natives of the Amazon basin, the Africans and the Europeans settlers in the Amazon basin.

USES

The ointment prepared from sangre de drago is immensely useful in treating skin disorders. It virtually takes the shape of a ‘second skin’ or covering layer on the skin and impedes inflammation (swelling and irritation) as well as infection. The herb is also effectual in combating bacterial, fungal and viral infections. Tinctures prepared from the herb are used to end bleeding caused by peptic ulcers. Listed below are the health condition and specific advantages of sangre de drago. Using the herb in excess may not only be detrimental to one’s health, but also prove to be fatal.

Cuts and scrapes, abrasions, eczema and insect bites: The resinous sap from the sangre de drago is applied externally to treat broken or split skin and eczema. It is interesting to note that the resin dries up within moments of applying it on the affected area forming a defensive shield or a ‘second skin’. This protective coating formed by the resin lets the original skin to rejuvenate itself without any further hazard of scratches or contagion. Chemical analysis of the sangre de drago has shown that the herb encloses a latex resin or rubbery substance that possesses an alkaloid called taspine. The taspine is said to be effective in healing any wound rapidly, while putting an end to bleeding. In addition, laboratory studies have established that sangre de drago is also effectual in curing eczema as the raw resin has been found to induce contractions of the injury. In addition, the resin of sangre de drago helps in forming a coating over the wound or injury and in the process aids in the speedy renewal of the affected area. The herb also helps in the development of new collagen - the key protein present in the skin. Different studies have shown that the unprocessed or the natural herb is approximately four time more effectual in curing the skin disorders than the chemically extracted elements from sangre de drago.

Diarrhea: Several studies have shown that SP-303, a dynamic amalgam extracted from sangre de drago, is effective in curbing diarrhea. The compound or SP-303 functions by restricting the flow surplus of water into the intestines.

Vaginitis: In Peru, herbal medicine practitioners have been conventionally using sangre de drago as an effective antiseptic vaginal douche (a liquid squirted to cleanse the body). It may be mentioned here that bacteria as well as yeasts require setting ‘roots’ on the walls of the vagina to take control of things and cause contagions. Hazards of infections in the vagina are reduced with the use of sangre de drago as the herb helps in protecting the genital organ and make it resistant to such micro-organisms. Herbal physicians have also used sangre de drago to wash the vagina for fevers, pyorrhea or inflammation of the gum, getting rid of infections before child birth as well as bleeding or hemorrhage following delivery.

SIDE EFFECTS AND CAUTIONS

Sangre de drago or medications prepared with it are available in various forms. While sangre de drago is commonly available in the market in ointment and tincture forms, some importers of the herb also trade even in unadulterated liquefied resin. However, here is a word of caution. The pure liquid resin should never be taken in excess of two to three drops in a cup of warm water. It is advisable to consult a physician before using the unadulterated sangre de drago resinous liquid directly.