Scientific Name:
Croton lechleri
Common Name:
Eshape e Jata akui (ese eja), Ginmunaji (piro, yine), Irare, Jimi mosho e Shawan karo (Shipibo); Kosamáti (matsigenka); Masikamboya (amahuaca), Palo de grado, Pocure, Racurana, Sangre de drago (Ecuador); Uksavakiro, Widnku (amarakaeri); Yawar wiki (Kichwa).
Family:
Euphorbiaceae
100,00 $
The plant known as Sangre de grado commonly refers to several species of trees of the genus Croton, especially Croton lechleri. In Peru, it is found in the departments of Loreto: Llachapa, Napo River; Indiana, Amazon River, Padre Cocha and Momón, Nanay River, San Martín; Huánuco; Cerro de Pasco: Oxapampa, Satipo, Puerto Bermúdez, Iscozacín, Villa Rica; Junín Chanchamayo; Cusco and Puno. The tree can reach up to 25 meters in height. Its leaves are large, simple and deep green. Its flowers are small and white or yellow. And the fruits are capsules containing seeds. It produces a dark red or brown resin, with various properties. The plant prefers a warm climate, with high relative humidity. It grows well in clay to sandy-clay soil. It is preferably found in shady areas, although it also thrives in illuminated areas. It is moderately resistant to flooding. It shares its habitat with other species such as cetico, charichuelo, cotton, sapote, lemon, piñon, chiricsanango, uña de gato, ubos, patiquina, tangarana, malva, sugar cane, huamansamana, uvilla, huasaí, cashapona, bijao, huacapú, topa, aguaje, shimbillo, carahuasca, monkey ladder, abuta, huacrapona.
The parts used are latex, bark and wood. The extraction of the latex should be done without knocking down the tree, with the shiringuero method, by means of the cut in spiral or the cut in form of V, on the bark of the shaft at the height of the chest. After extraction, the latex should be kept hermetically packed in cool places. The addition of a small quantity of brandy prevents the product from crystallizing. The resin, obtained from the bark of the tree, is dark red or brown, similar to coagulated blood, hence its common name “sangre de grado”; it contains several compounds, including alkaloids, proanthocyanidins and terpenoids. Species of this family exhibit antitumor agents and alkaloids. In fact, sangre de grado has long been used in traditional medicine: as a cicatrizant, due to its coagulant properties; as an anti-inflammatory, since it has anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful for treating various skin conditions; as an antimicrobial and antiviral. In some indigenous cultures of Latin America, “sangre de grado” has been used in rituals and ceremonies.
In the context of Afro-American voodoo folklore, dragon’s blood is used in the hands of fetishes to attract money or love, as well as incense to purify spaces of negative presences or influences. It is also incorporated into red ink to make “dragon’s blood ink”, used in the creation of seals and magical talismans. In folk medicine, dragon’s blood is used externally as a topical remedy to promote wound healing and stop bleeding, following practices observed among the inhabitants of Socotra. Internally, it is used to treat chest pains, postpartum bleeding (lochia), internal trauma and menstrual irregularities. In neo-pagan witchcraft and New Age shamanism, it is used to enhance protection spells, love potions, to ward off unwanted individuals and improve sexual performance. It is also commonly marketed under the guise of cinnabar opium to unsuspecting opium buyers, although it lacks opiate components and has not been verified to have intoxicating effects.
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