Did You Know…a South America tree contains a key cancer-fighting compound?

The Sangre de Drago tree (Croton lechleri) is a tall, narrow tree that grows primarily in the Upper Amazon region of Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia.

Known sometimes as Sangre de Grado or Sangre de Dragon, the tree is named in reference to “dragon’s blood”. This is due to the dark red resin that appears when the bark is sliced open. The sap of the Sangre de Drago–along with its bark–is used by indigenous people to accomplish a variety of healing functions, including…

• To stop bleeding and seal and protect injuries

• Healing stomach ulcers and hemorrhoids

• Treating inflamed or infected gums

• Relieving fevers and infections

Western researchers have confirmed many folk accounts of Sangre de Drago’s curative powers.

And now, scientists believe that the sap could have a potent effect on cancer. Preliminary studies indicate that this remarkable sap can actually kill cancer cells.

It Takes a Dragon to Slay Cancer

Sangre de Drago has 3 especially exciting cancer-slaying capacities: it can kill cancer cells…prevent tumor growth…and stop cell mutation.

In 2002, the Journal of Ethnopharmacology published a study conducted at Albany Medical College. The researchers there found that Sangre de Drago could induce “apoptosis,” or cell death.

Apoptosis is extremely valuable for potential cancer treatments, because tumor cells resist apoptosis and therefore live beyond what should be their programmed cell death. In this way, tumor cells can continue to multiply and invade the body.

The ability of tumor cells to resist apoptosis also plays a significant role in the way malignant cells become immune to certain cancer treatments.

Because of this and other impressive effects, the Albany research team recommended that Sangre de Drago be “evaluated further as a…source of anti-cancer agents“. More research into Sangre de Drago’s cancer-killing abilities is sure to be forthcoming!

The Tree that Cures All?

While cancer treatment research continues with Sangre de Drago, many natural health practitioners are already using this remarkable substance to treat a number of health conditions.

Dr. J.E. Williams, an international medical expert, is an enthusiastic fan of Sangre de Drago as a medicinal. He says the sap can combat the dangerous effects of diarrhea induced by prescription drugs, chemotherapy, radiation, microbial infections, travel-related exposure, viruses, and even AIDS.

“In addition,” he says, “the antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects…make it a useful compound in the clinical treatment of chronic viral diseases and as a natural antibiotic agent.”

Diabetics may also have reason to celebrate this ancient remedy. Some health practitioners in the United States have recently had success in using Sangre de Drago internally to treat diabetic neuropathy–damage to nerves in the body as a result of high blood sugar levels from diabetes.

Sangre de Drago has been found to have a strong beneficial effect on nerve endings, nerve pain, and nerve inflammation.

Sangre de Drago is also used as an antiviral, antifungal, and antiseptic topical treatment for skin. Not only does the plant stop bleeding, it’s also a potent healer for:

• Cuts
• Scrapes
• Bites
• Stings
• Rashes
• Skin and nail fungus

Professionals have reported that Sangre de Drago can heal skin ulcers and sores that were otherwise untreatable.

Best of all, the most serious side effect is totally harmless–just a minor staining from the plant’s red resin.