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 blood red sap of the Sangre de grado tree. 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. Sangre de grado has been found to contain anti fungal and anti oxidant 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.

In recent times, studies have been made to prove the health claims of the sap of the Sangre de grado tree. 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.