Dragon's Blood Bark (Sangre De Draco)

Sangre de grado appears to help diarrhea by slowing down the amount of water that is lost through the intestines. It might also prevent the movement of some viruses into cells. It might also block pain signals in the nerves.

Sangre de Grado is a tree that grows in the Amazon region of South America. The tree bark and sap are used to make medicine.

Sangre de Grado or SP-303, one of the chemicals it contains, is used for diarrhea associated with cholera, AIDS, traveling, or treatment with antibiotics. Sangre de Grado is also used for treating cancer, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), viral respiratory infections, fever, hemorrhage, bleeding gums, wounds, broken bones, vaginal infections, hemorrhoids, a skin condition called eczema, and insect bites and stings. 

Other uses include treating ulcers of the mouth, throat, stomach, or intestine; supporting the body's tissue repair mechanisms; and as a general tonic. Some people apply Sangre de Grado or SP-303 directly to the skin for treating  herpes simplex virus (types 1 and 2). Some women use it for flushing the vagina before childbirth.  

5 Benefits of Dragon’s Blood  Bark

1. Wound Healing 

When it comes to dragon’s blood for skin health, some research has shown that this herbal remedy may speed up how fast wounds heal! A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine looked at the effects of dragon blood on the wounds of 60 human patients between 14 and 65 years of age. Members of one group used dragon’s blood on their wounds while the other group used a placebo cream.

The researchers checked on the subjects’ wounds on the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 10th, 14th, and 20th day of the trial to evaluate the healing process and to measure the wound’s surface area. What did they find? The dragon’s blood cream significantly improved healing, which was noticed by day three and may likely be due to a shortening of the inflammation process. The researchers believe the presence of phenolic compounds such as proanthocyanidins and catechin, as well as the alkaloid taspoine, are the main components that make this plant resin able to improve wound healing. 

2. Antibacterial Abilities

An interesting study conducted several years ago examined the possibility of dragon’s blood as a safer, more natural food preservative. As you probably know, there are a lot of questionable additives used to keep food products on the shelves longer these days. This in vitro study published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine looked at both the antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of dragon’s blood resin obtained from the dragon blood tree known more formally as Dracaena cinnabari.

The researchers tested three dragon blood extracts for their potential ability to kill a variety of food borne pathogens such as E. coli and Salmonella enteritidis. The study found that the CH2Cl2 extract “exhibited good inhibitory activity against bacterial and fungal food pathogens.” Overall, dragon’s blood resin may in fact be a potential food preservative. 

3. Anti-Diarrheal Properties

Multiple studies have looked at dragon blood’s ability to improve a very common gastrointestinal concern: diarrhea. An animal study published in the journal Phytotherapy Research observed that the red resin was able to improve diarrhea (induced by castor oil) in animal subjects. It significantly inhibited small intestinal transit and seems as though it has potential to control some cases of diarrhea.

A standardized dragon’s blood product (SP-303) is not currently available yet has been studied for the treatment of diarrhea at doses of 125 to 500 milligrams per day and the results are interesting. The double-blind, placebo-controlled study published in The American Journal of Gastroenterology had 184 subjects from the United States who acquired diarrhea in Jamaica or Mexico. These subjects were treated with either 125, 250 or 500 milligrams of SP-303 or a matching placebo four times a day for two days. The study subjects were required to keep track of their symptoms daily and were seen each day for three days. Overall, the study found that the SP-303 was effective in shortening the duration of travelers’ diarrhea by 21 percent. Furthermore, it appears unlikely to lead to  “invasive forms of diarrhea” or constipation after treatment. 

4. Possible Ulcer Remedy

Researchers at the Chinese Academy of Sciences isolated 22 compounds from Dracaena cochinchinensis, one of several sources of the red resin known as dragon’s blood. Out of the 22, they found that two were particularly effective at killing Helicobacter pylori (also known as H. pylori), which is the bacteria known to cause peptic ulcers. One of the researchers, Dr. Zhao, points out that dragon’s blood would need to be taken in much higher concentrations than the antibiotics commonly prescribed by conventional doctors to treat peptic ulcers. 

5. Anti-Aging Skin Care

Did you know that dragon’s blood skin care is actually a thing? It’s true! Many beauty lines (both natural and conventional) have already been including dragon’s blood in their formulations for its anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, protective and rejuvenating effects. Dragon’s blood seems to be an especially popular choice for skin that been compromised by sun exposure, too much exfoliation, or just generally, skin that needs to have inflammation calmed down.

The resin, which is often described as crimson red, was also highly prized in the ancient world as both a dye and a medicine. Today, it’s still valued by many as a medicine. Due to its consistency and color, it’s also used as a varnish for instruments like violins and in photoengraving to prevent undercutting of the printing surface during etching.  

NOTE: The information above has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. It is for educational purposes only. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Due to FDA regulations, Is Royal International LLC is unable to provide dosage information or any medical advice. Please consult with a licensed healthcare professional for more information.