Dragon's Blood by Herb Pharm

POSSIBLY EFFECTIVE

• Genital herpes. Some clinical research shows that topical application of a specific sangre de grado ointment (Virend, Shaman Pharmaceuticals), containing purified crofelemer (SP-303) 15%, three times daily for 21 days seems to be effective for treating genital and anal herpes simplex lesions in people with AIDS. Patients using this ointment were about 3 times more likely to experience complete healing of herpes lesions when compared with placebo (2788). Another preliminary clinical study shows that this ointment is not effective for treating acyclovir-unresponsive mucocutaneous herpes simplex lesions in these patients (2787). However, due to the small study size and lack of control, the validity of this latter study is unclear.
• HIV/AIDS-related diarrhea. A purified constituent of sangre de grado, crofelemer (Fulyzaq; Mytesi), is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the treatment of non-infectious diarrhea in adult patients with HIV/AIDS who are on antiretroviral therapy. One large clinical study in this population shows that taking this product 125 mg twice daily for 4 weeks improved stool consistency and decreased the number of watery stools per day by 0.32 when compared with placebo. These patients were also about 2.2-fold more likely to achieve clinical response when compared with placebo. Clinical response was defined as having no more than 2 watery stools per week. In a 20-week extension study, up to 56% of patients taking crofelemer achieved clinical response (94708).
• Travelers' diarrhea. A purified constituent of sangre de grado, crofelemer (SP-303), has been evaluated for the management of travelers' diarrhea. One clinical study shows that taking 125-500 mg orally four times daily for 2 days seems to be effective for symptomatic treatment of travelers' diarrhea when compared with placebo. In patients traveling to Jamaica or Mexico, the time to resolution of diarrhea was decreased by about 6-8 hours with crofelemer when compared with placebo. The risk of treatment failure was also decreased by 67% to 85% with crofelemer when compared with placebo (73090).

POSSIBLY INEFFECTIVE

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Clinical research in adults with diarrhea-predominant IBS shows that taking crofelemer (SP-303), a purified constituent of sangre de grado, as 125 mg, 250 mg, or 500 mg twice daily for 12 weeks does not improve stool consistency, stool frequency, urgency, or pain when compared with placebo (94709,103246).

INSUFFICIENT RELIABLE EVIDENCE to RATE

• Insect bite. Preliminary clinical research shows that applying a specific sangre de grado 1% balm (Zangrado Bug Bite Balm, Rainforest Phytoceuticals, LLC.) alleviates the symptoms of insect bites (fire ants, wasps, bees) and plant reactions. In a group of pest control workers, use of the sangre de grado balm relieved itching, pain, redness, swelling, and discomfort in 100% of cases, while application of a placebo balm relieved pain and redness in only 17% to 20% of cases, with no reports of improvement in itching, swelling, or discomfort (73086). More evidence is needed to rate sangre de grado for this use.

(Read more about SANGRE DE GRADO)

LIKELY SAFE ...when crofelemer (SP-303), a constituent of sangre de grado, is used orally and appropriately (2784,73090,94708,94709,103246).

POSSIBLY SAFE ...when crofelemer (SP-303), a constituent of sangre de grado, is used topically and appropriately. Pain and burning at the site of application has been reported in some patients using crofelemer (SP-303) topically (2787,2788). There is insufficient reliable information available about the safety of other sangre de grado products.

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION:
Insufficient reliable information available; avoid using.

(Read more about SANGRE DE GRADO)

(Read more about SANGRE DE GRADO)

General ...Orally, crofelemer (SP-303), a purified constituent of sangre de grado, seems to be well tolerated. No serious adverse effects have been reported in clinical studies (2784,2806,73090,94708,94709,103246). Mild gastrointestinal adverse effects, bronchitis, and headache have been reported in clinical research with oral crofelemer (SP-303) (94708,94709,103246).
Topically, the sangre de grado constituent crofelemer can cause local pain and burning (2787,2788).

Dermatologic ...Topically, pain and burning have been reported in some patients using crofelemer (SP-303) (2787,2788). In one clinical trial, one patient discontinued topical treatment due to burning at the site of application (2788).

Gastrointestinal ...Orally, gastrointestinal adverse effects have been reported in some patients taking the sangre de grado constituent crofelemer (SP-303) (94708,94709). In a clinical trial of patients with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, flatulence, or abdominal pain was reported in 5% to 7% of patients taking crofelemer compared to only 2% to 3% of patients taking placebo (94709). In another clinical trial, flatulence was reported in 3.5% of patients taking crofelemer compared to only 1.1% of patients taking placebo (94708).

Neurologic/CNS ...Orally, headache has been reported in some patients taking the sangre de grado constituent crofelemer (SP-303) (103246).

Pulmonary/Respiratory ...Orally, bronchitis has been reported in some patients taking the sangre de grado constituent crofelemer (SP-303) (103246).

(Read more about SANGRE DE GRADO)