Overview Information
Sangre de grado is a tree that grows in the Amazon region of South America. The tree bark and sap are used to make medicine.
A chemical in sangre de grado known as crofelemer (SP-303) was approved as a drug by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2012.
Sangre de grado or crofelemer is used for diarrhea associated with cholera, AIDS, traveling, the bug Clostridium difficile, or treatment with antibiotics. Sangre de grado is also used for treating cancer, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), lung infections, fever, hemorrhage, bleeding gums, wounds, broken bones, vaginal infections, painful menstrual periods, hemorrhoids, and a skin condition called eczema. Other uses include treating ulcers of the mouth, throat, stomach, or intestine.
Some people apply sangre de grado or crofelemer to the skin for herpes simplex virus (types 1 and 2). It is also applied to the skin for bug bites and skin reactions from plants.
How does it work?
Sangre de grado appears to help diarrhea by slowing down the amount of water that is lost through the intestines. It might also prevent the movement of some viruses into cells. It might also block pain signals in the nerves.