Traditional Folk Remedies from Ecuador

Blood of the Dragon!

Ecuador, one of the first countries we looked more deeply into, ranks Sangre de Drago near the top of that nation's list of national treasures. This deeply red sap of the Croton lechleri tree has been a central remedy in the medical lore of many of that nation's peoples for generations going back at least to the 1600's. Increasingly, it's emerging as a favorite in health stores and supplement catalogs as well!

Proanthocyanodins are the health blessing and tongue-tangling curse to have splattered Dragon's Blood onto the natural health scene. These super-efficacious antioxidants make up 90% of the Sangre de Drago sap used in traditional medicine. This is the same family of anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer compounds that makes grade seed extract a coveted health aid. They seem to have adaptogenic abilities to positively affect the immune system, oxidation, and regulation of inflammatory responses.

So not only do sangre supplements offer all of us improved immune function and helpful antioxidants, but this appealing tree sap may help those with autoimmune disorders as well—potentially dampening out-of-control immune responses.

Sangre de Drago Remedies: As a local remedy the latex sap, also known as Sangre de Grado in Peru (still talkin' about exsanguinated dragons), is used to bind and disinfect wounds. Such use can speed wound healing by 4-20 times normal healing rates while also reducing pain, inflammation, and itchiness quite substantially. Applied more generally to the skin, its component taspine can renew and improve the look of skin by supporting cell growth and collagen strength.

Internally, it has been taken to relieve inflammation and diarrhea as well as to treat and soothe ulcers of the mouth and stomach. In fact, the FDA has approved an extract from the sap as an anti-diarrheal drug for those with HIV or AIDS. Anti-carcinogenic, tumor-killing, and herpes remedies using sangre de drago are likewise being investigated with some hopefulness!

Sources:
Study: Sangre de Drago modulates immune function.

Sangre extract approved as anti-diarrheal HIV/AIDS drug.

How much anise and ginger in your tea?

Cough remedy - infusion of muyoyu flowers. In latin the name is Cordea Lutea. Add a handful of these bright yellow flowers to boiling water. Turn off water and let steep for 15 minutes. Drink. I believe this is a Galapagos remedy. I haven't heard of anyone in Ecuador ever using these flowers for coughs.

For sore throats, colds: A hot drink made of ginger, anise, and honey.

Migraines and Headaches: Drink very strong coffee with the juice of two lemons. I use this one frequently and it works.

Incontinence: My grandmother used this remedy for incontinence. Chew on a little piece of cinnamon bark. It cures it.

For flus and fever: Tea from cinnamon bark and lemon. Boil cinnamon and add the juice of one or two lemons. Drink hot. Then layer yourself with pants and sweater and sweat all night. Also drink lots of water. You will be cured in the morning.

For Stomach Pain and Gas: Fresh Oregano leaf and a large scallion - the white part down by the roots. Add oregano and scallion to some water. Once it boils, turn off the heat and leave for a few minutes. Then drink very hot. When I went to the hospital a few years ago for severe stomach pain, they gave me medicines that did not work. Finally a nurse told me to go home and try this. My stomach pain went away immediately.

For coughs: Ingredients: Radish, Red Onions, Sugar. Slice a radish, put in a small bowl and add a small amount of sugar. Cover overnight. Pour liquid out and drink it first thing in the morning.