Exotic and Rare Dragon Blood tree Medicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 253-365

Dragon’s Blood  is a natural tree resin also known as Sangre de drago or “Blood of the Dragon”. It is extracted from a medium size tree that grows in the Amazonian regions of South America.

How to plant

The planting medium provides the moisture that the seed’s embryo requires to germinate.Choose a soilless medium such as sand or peat moss and moisten it thoroughly. When it’s dried to barely moist, fill up a planting container and lay the seed on the surface of the medium. Dracaen draco seeds require light to germinate so barely cover it with sand. This top layer, although thin, prevents the top of the seed from drying. Spritz it often with water from spray bottle.Ideal germinating temperature for Dracaen Draco is around 77-85 degree fahrenheit.

Medicinal Uses

The curative powers of this thick sap are well known by the indigenous tribes around the Amazon rainforest and is considered to be the most effective herbal medicine in that area. The natives apply the resin on their skin to help stop bleeding, disinfect wounds and promote healing of almost any skin problem they have.Dragon’s Blood sap is a very strong coagulant and so promotes the coagulation of blood and helps the blood as it works to create clots. It has a variety of uses, and many of them directed toward its coagulant properties.

Dragon’s blood contains a broad range of naturally-occurring compounds, many of which have been well studied. The sap is rich in protective antioxidant phenols, and anti-inflammatory compounds of various kinds. Due to these compounds, Dragon’s blood sap helps to protect the cells of the skin, and reduces redness and swelling. 

 It also contains a group of compounds called proanthocyanidins, which actually repair collagen, the lattice-like main protein that makes up much of our tissues. Additionally, Dragon’s blood contains taspine, a known tissue-healing agent. The sap also demonstrates antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal activity. This is why Dragon’s blood is so widely used on infectious skin conditions of all kinds with great success.

Making the cut – to obtain Dragon’s blood, it is necessary to cut into the bark of the tree at a diagonal, deeply enough that the blood-like sap will flow. A cup is affixed to the tree at the bottom end of the slash, and the sap collects in the cup. 

In the markets of the Amazon, you will find bottles of Dragon’s blood selling at various medicinal stands, and at many other types of shops. As indispensable to a home first aid agent as bandages, Dragon’s blood is liberally applied to the skin in case of a problem. When the red sap is rubbed onto skin, it forms a thin cream-colored layer, like a very fine additional skin membrane.

In tribal medicine it is used both topically and orally to 

• heal wounds and cuts, 

• stomach ulcers,  

• burns, 

• mouth ulcers, 

• insect bites, 

• rash 

• Acne

• Rash

• Eczema, 

• Psoriasis 

• heale infected spider bite

• pre-cancerous and even cancer lesions

• The sap is also believed to be useful as an anti-herpes agent and many centuries ago 

• it was used as a tooth paste to maintain clear white teeth. 

• The antiseptic resin dries quickly, forming a seal over wounded skin to prevent infection and allows the skin to heal faster.

A testimonial from a Chilean woman in her 60's who is a High Altitude trekker confirm clinical studies of the benefits of Dragon's Blood for pre-cancerous and even cancer lesions. She used external applications twice a day on the cancerous lesion she had on the top of her index finger and had remarkable results. In just two weeks her cancerous lesion were healed. She has since used Dragon’s Blood for pre-cancerous sensitive spots on her face with great results in a week.
Pet Care
It is good for healing cuts and scratches, on the dogs Dragon's Blood quickly takes the pain and swelling from insect bites such as spiders, red ants and even scorpion and bee stings. 



Plea for keeping the trees alive


This is just one example of how rainforest products can help to keep some acreage intact due to the economic benefits of sustainable harvesting. Instead of cutting down the forest for timber, the forest can be managed better intact, and can yield greater profits through trade in medicinal plants, fruits, and oil-bearing nuts and seeds. And with Dragon’s blood, you also derive an even more elusive and sought-after effect – enhanced beauty.

History

Dragon’s blood has been around for many centuries and was traded frequently between the continents. Few centuries ago (1403 A.D.) it was a very popular medicine which was prescribed by Doctors and Shamans and its commercial value was so high that it was paid for with gold coins. Unfortunately, the great demand for the unique resin caused the eradication of many trees and with no planning for the future, the dragon’s blood market was suddenly a trend of the past. 

Links

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2010/03/03/dragons-blood-great-skin/

http://wholeworldbotanicals.com/dragons_blood

Deforestation in Amazon and Ancient Construction Projects

By Liliana Usvat

Blog 252-365

Large areas of pristine forest in Brazil and Bolivia and was cleared for cattle grazing. 

Hundreds of circles, squares, and other geometric shapes once hidden by forest hint at a previously unknown ancient society that flourished in the Amazon, a new study says. 
Unusual earthworks, which include square, straight, and ring-like ditches, were first uncovered in 1999.
The purpose of the massive earthworks and who created them remains unknown.

The ditches were sculpted from the clay rich soils of the Amazon and are typically around 30 feet wide and 10 feet deep, alongside 3 feet high walls. However, the largest ring ditches found so far are an incredible 1,000 feet in diameter.  The purpose of the ditches remains a complete mystery. 

Many of them are clustered on a 200 metre high plateau suggested they were used for drainage or for channelling water since most were placed near spring water source.

SATELLITE IMAGES of the upper Amazon Basin taken since 1999 have revealed more than 200 geometric earthworks spanning a distance greater than 155 miles (250 kilometers). 

Until recently, it was believed that the earthworks dated back to around 200 AD. However, the latest study has revealed that they are, in fact, much older.

The sediment cores had been taken from two lakes near the major earthwork sites.  These sediment cores hold ancient pollen grains and charcoal from long-ago fires, and can reveal information about the climate and ecosystem that existed when the sediment was laid down as far back as 6,000 years ago. 

The results revealed that the oldest sediments did not come from a rain forest ecosystem at all. Rather, they showed that the landscape, before about 2,000 to 3,000 years ago, looked more like the savannas of Africa than today’s lush rain forest.

The earthworks predate the shift from savanna to rain forest, which reveals that the creators of these ditches carved them before the forest moved in around them. They continued to live in the area as it became forested.

The discovery and dating of the ditches sheds new light on life in the Amazon region thousands of years ago. Previous study have stated that the area could only support small, impermanent village. Instead, it seems likely that the Amazon teemed with complex societies immersed in a rich culture and advanced enough to undertake massive CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS  which would have required a large, co-ordinated labour force.

Here is an hypothesis.

The rain forest was planted and developed by human society intentionally using knowledge of collecting water and using this water to sustain plants trees something that present permaculture is trying to recreate . It is possible that an civilized society existed few thousands years ago on that region?

It is time to stop massive deforestation and start replanting trees and forests.

Lost History Records

The discovery adds to evidence that the hinterlands of the Amazon once teemed with complex societies, which were largely wiped out by diseases brought to South America by European colonists in the 15th and 16th centuries.

The newfound shapes are created by a series of trenches about 36 feet (11 meters) wide and several feet deep, with adjacent banks up to 3 feet (1 meter) tall. Straight roads connect many of the earthworks.

Preliminary excavations at one of the sites in 2008 revealed that some of the earthworks were surrounded by low mounds containing domestic ceramics, charcoal, grinding-stone fragments, and other evidence of habitation.

The new study suggests that the modern forest is a co production between humans and nature. Natural cycles drove the rain forest to sprout, but humans stayed on-site for 1,500 years afterward.

"It's very likely, in fact, that people had some kind of effect on the composition of the forest," "People might favor edible species, growing in orchards and things like that, [or] altered the soils, changing the soil chemistry and composition, which can have a longer-lasting legacy effect."

Causes of Deforestation in Amazon

Direct DRIVERS of deforestation including conversion of forests for pasture, farmland, and plantations, as well as surface mining, dams that inundate forested areas, and intense fires. 
Indirect drivers of deforestation include more subtle factors, like insecure land tenure, corruption, poor law enforcement, infrastructure projects, policies that favor conversion over conservation, and selective logging that create conditions or enable activities that facilitate forest clearing. 

Links

http://rainforests.mongabay.com/20brazil.htm

http://www.livescience.com/46682-earthen-rings-predate-amazon-rainforest.html

http://www.ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/mysterious-man-made-ditches-predate-amazon-rainforest-001833

Jacaranda Tree Medicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 251-365

Jacaranda mimosifolia is a sub-tropical tree native to south-central South America that has been widely planted elsewhere because of its beautiful and long-lasting blue flowers.

Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa is popularly and poetically known as Jacaranda City or Jakarandastad in Afrikaans because of the huge number of the trees which turn the city blue when they flower in the spring. The name Jakarandastad is frequently used in Afrikaans songs,

The flowers are up to 5 cm (2.0 in) long, and are grouped in 30 cm (12 in) panicles. They appear in spring and early summer, and last for up to two months. They are followed by woody seed pods, about 5 cm (2.0 in) in diameter, which contain numerous flat, winged seeds. The Blue Jacaranda is cultivated even in areas where it rarely blooms, for the sake of its large compound leaves. 

Other synonyms for the Blue Jacaranda are Jacaranda chelonia and J. ovalifolia. The Blue Jacaranda belongs to the section Monolobos of the genus Jacaranda.

There are almost 50 species of Jacaranda

Medicinal Uses

The leaves are the medicinal parts. They are somewhat coriaceous, from 1 to 2 inches long, entire or nearly so, elliptic, lance-oblong, or oblong; either oblique at base, or subacute at both extremities, smooth, and dark-brown on upper surface, lighter beneath, strongly nerved, and velvety-woolly. The surfaces are beset with oil-glands. Odor slight; taste bitter-astringent.

Water extract of Jacaranda mimosifolia shows higher antimicrobial action against Bacillus cereus and Escherichia coli than gentamicin sulfate does. The extract also acts against Staphylococcus aureus.

Is efficient in treating bacterial infections as well as gonorrhea and syphilis. Since about one-third of the world population is allergic to penicillin--the primary drug used in fighting these venereal diseases as well as other infections--it is beneficial to have the option offered by the jacaranda Mimosifolia.

The method of using jacarandas varies; some experts use essential oils derived from the leaves, others from bark, seeds (aka fruits, but they really look like a cross between a tiny turtle shell and a nut) or flowers. Others use, instead, a water extract of any of these same parts, either by use internally or externally.

It  is used both locally and internally in syphilitic ulcerations.

Fluid extract of jacaranda is given in doses of from 15 to 30 minims, 4 times a day, carobin, in 1-grain doses. For local use, Rx Jacaranda leaves (powdered)

Used also for Mental enfeeblement, voracious appetite, and epilepsy.

Having antiseptic and antibiotic qualities, Jacaranda gives out some secret natural medical gifts, too. The tree is used to treat hepatitis and in folk tradition the flowers, leaves and bark are used to ease neuralgia and varicose veins. It is scientifically proven that Jacaranda has qualities that treat leukemia. Hot Jacaranda leaf baths treat wounds and skin infections and the tree also helps in the treatment of acne.

The leaves contain carobin (0.16 per cent), a crystallizable, faintly bitterish, inodorous principle, soluble in boiling water and alcohol, insoluble in ether, precipitated from aqueous solution by tartar emetic; with acetic acid it yields a crystallizable compound. Carobic acid (0.05 per cent) crystallizes in needles of aromatic odor and acid taste; is soluble in water and diluted alcohol; steocarobic acid (0.10 per cent), pale-brown, of a tonka-like odor, soluble in cold absolute alcohol and ether; carobone (2.66 per cent), a balsamic, resinous acid, greenish, soluble in alcohol (sp. gr., 0.815) and caustic alkalies; caroba resin (3.33 per cent), inodorous and tasteless; caroba balsam (1.44 per cent), dark brown, syrupy, of tonka-like odor; caroba tannin (0.44 per cent), and a bitter principle (2.88 per cent); albumen, starch, etc. The bark contains carobin (0.3 per cent), caroba resin (0.5 per cent), the bitter principle (0.28 per cent), and in addition carobaretic acid (0.2 per cent), devoid of odor. According to Hesse (1880), no alkaloid is present.

Reforestation

Trees tolerate a wide variety of soils, but are shallow rooted therefore young plants should be staked and watered until roots are established. Occasional pruning and deep watering is recommended, once the hardy plants are established. The plant, although considered subtropical, is surprisingly hardy to at least light frosts.

Yellow jacaranda, Rosewood, Tipu tree, Pride of Bolivia - hardy, evergreen fast growing tree with bright yellow-orange flowers. Best choice for those who need a large tree in no time. Tolerates some freeze, one of the hardiest of all tropical trees.

Legume Tree Acacia Koa Medicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 250-365

Acacia koa is Hawaii's most valued native tree. The highest populations are on Hawaiʻi, Maui and Oʻahu. Its name in the Hawaiian language, koa, also means brave, bold, fearless, or warrior.

 
Koa is a large tree, typically attaining a height of 15–25 m (49–82 ft) and a spread of 6–12 m (20–39 ft). In deep volcanic ash, a koa tree can reach a height of 30 m (98 ft), a circumference of 6 m (20 ft), and a spread of 38 m (125 ft).

Initially, bipinnately compound leaves with 12–24 pairs of leaflets grow on the koa plant, much like other members of the pea family. At about 6–9 months of age, however, thick sickle-shaped "leaves" that are not compound begin to grow. These are phyllodes, blades that develop as an expansion of the leaf petiole. The vertically flattened orientation of the phyllodes allows sunlight to pass to lower levels of the tree. True leaves are entirely replaced by 7–25 cm (2.8–9.8 in) long, 0.5–2.5 cm (0.20–0.98 in) wide phyllodes on an adult tree.

Reforestation

Koa are fast growing trees at 5 feet per year for the first five years, and can reach impressive heights in several decades in upper elevation landscapes. 
Is good for erosion control.

It can survive cooler temperatures and the occasional frost.

Koa is a large evergreen broadleaf tree (it can reach 35 m, but more commonly reaches 20-25 m in height, and some populations are much smaller, with a shrub-like form), which can grow in pure stands, but usually is found in mesic forest. Koa is found on all volcanic soil types of all geologic ages.

 It grows well in moderately to well-drained, medium to very strongly acid soils on both flatland and steep slopes.

 Occurs in a variety of habitats, has a large elevation range and is often a dominant plant in dry to wet forests at elevations ranging from 60 to 2,300 m (Wagner et al. 1990). Morphological differences in koa have been observed on several islands. Seeds are contained within a pod 15–20 cm long, containing 6–12 seeds. The species is a fast-growing tree.

Nitrogen Fixation

Growth is in virtue of symbiosis with special bacteria called rhizobia that live associated with the roots. The bacteria convert, or fix, nitrogen from the air into usable nitrogen fertilizer for plants. The leaves, flowers and branches also provide nitrogen for understory and plants in the area. Koa inoculated with rhizobia tend to be more vigorous trees.

Uses

The bark may be ground into a powder and saturated into water to create a tea, or may be spread onto various foods as a spice and taste enhancer. The wood has a density of about 0.75 g/cm³

Medicinal Uses

To induce sleep during fever or when the patient was sick long in bed, young koa leaves that had been pounded and crushed were spread to completely cover a sleeping pallet made of mats piled one upon another. This caused the patient to perspire, and he or she was able to fall asleep. 

Upon waking, the patient was given a drink of fresh spring water or perhaps a tea such as one made from ko'oko'olau leaves. One 'opihi shell full of ashes obtained by burning koa and one 'opihi shell full of ashes obtained from burning the dried flesh of a mature niu were mixed with the milky sap of four green kukui nut fruits and well blended. 

This material was smeared on the lesions in the child's mouth twice a day, once in the morning and once in the evening. This medicine was used primarily for children from six months to one year of age.

Temperate Legume Trees Robinia Pseudoacacia Medicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 249-365

Common name: Black Locust
Latin name: Robinia pseudoacacia

Very few nitrogen fixing trees are temperate, and very few of these are legumes. The genus Robinia, with four species native to temperate regions of North America, is noteworthy for an ability to tolerate severe frosts.

Robinia pseudoacacia L., or black locust (family Leguminosae, subfamily Papilionoideae), is among the few leguminous NFTs adapted to frost-prone areas. It is also adaptable to environmental extremes such as drought, air pollutants, and high light intensities (Hanover 1989). Rapid growth, dense wood, and N fixing ability make it ideal for colonizing degraded sites.

Robinia pseudoacacia will tolerate almost any soil conditions; it will be happy in acid, neutral or alkaline pH levels, in loam, sand, clay or chalk and facing any aspect so long as it is given a sheltered location.

Description

Black locust is a medium-sized tree reaching 1535 m in height and 0.3-1.0 m in diameter. Long (2045 cm) pinnate leaves consist of 5-33 small, oval, alternate leaflets. Sharp spines are found at the nodes of young branches but are rare on mature wood. 

The smooth bark becomes reddishbrown and deeply furrowed with age. White to pink, fragrant flowers in 10-25 cm long, hanging racemes appear in early summer soon after the leaves. The closed flowers require bees to force petals open for cross-pollination. 

The small pods contain 4-8 hard-coated seeds which can persist in the soil for many years. Seed crops occur every 1-2 years beginning at age 3; pods open on the tree in winter and early spring. 

Propagation Reforestation

They can be propagated, with difficulty, from hardwood cuttings (15-30 cm long and 1-2 cm diameter) collected in winter or early spring.  The tree responds well to tissue culture and has been mass propagated by this method. In nursery culture black locust is either direct seeded or root sections (5-8 cm long) planted. 

The species has one of the highest net photosynthetic rates among woody plants. Black locust grows rapidly, especially when young. Trees can reach 3 m tall in one growing season and average 0.5-1.5 m height and 0.2-2 cm diameter growth per year. Trees attained 12 m ht in 10 yrs and 20 m ht in 25 yrs in Kashmir (Singh 1982), and 26 m ht and 27 cm diameter in 40 yrs

Uses

Honey:

Bees harvest Robinia nectar to produce a honey regarded as one of the world's finest. Tree improvement specifically for late flowering and high nectar sugar content is ongoing in Hungary and the US.

Other:

The tree is used extensively to rehabilitate surface mine tailings in the US. In Hungary. A dense growth habit makes black locust suitable for windbreaks, a use most common in China. 

Black locust may even prove useful for alley cropping in temperate climates. Researchers at the Rodale Research Center in Pennsylvania are experimenting with intercropping black locust with vegetables.

 Numerous reports indicate the beneficial effect of this NFT to associated plants through improved soil fertility. Mixed plantings of black locust and conifers, however, can lead to reduced growth or death of the slower growing conifers because of shading and over-topping.

Medicinal use

• Dried leaves are helpful in treatment of wounds caused by burns. 
• It acts as a pain reliever. 
• Used internally, it calms stomach burns, 
• and is usually recommended to individuals who suffer from hyperacid gastritis and 
• distensions.
• It is helpful in easing digestion. 
• As a good emollient and expectorant, 
• Black Locust is excellent in treatments of asthma and bronchitis. 
• Black Locust has a sedating and calming effect, and 
• could be very useful in cases of headaches and 
• stress. 
• Infusion added to baths can help young children who suffer from insomnia. 
• Flower powder is used in cases of gastritis, duodenal and gastric ulcer.

Sweet Gum Liquidambar styraciflua Trees Medicinal Uses

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 248-365

Have you planted a tree today?
What about this year?
What about last 10 years.
What about in your life?

Here is an ideea. Plant Liquidambar styraciflua.

 Liquidambar native to warm temperate areas of eastern North America and tropical montane regions of Mexico and Central America. Sweet gum is one of the main valuable forest trees in the southeastern United States, and is a popular ornamental tree intemperate climates. It is recognizable by the combination of its five-pointed star-shaped leaves and its hard, spiked fruits.

This plant's genus name Liquidambar was first given by Linnaeus in 1753 from [the Latin] liquidus, fluid, and the Arabic ambar, amber, in allusion to the fragrant terebinthine juice or gum which exudes from the tree. Its specific epithet styraciflua is an old generic name meaning flowing with styrax (a plant resin)

The earliest known published record of Liquidambar styraciflua is in a work by Spanish naturalist Francisco Hernández published posthumously in 1651, in which he describes the species as a large tree producing a fragrant gum resembling liquid amber, whence the genus name Liquidambar. In Ray's Historia Plantarum (1686) it is called Styrax liquida.

Medicinal Uses

The common name for the sweetgum tree's medicinal product is liquid-amber.

When made into a balsam or salve, it is used for 

• skin conditions, 
• hemorroids, 
• ringworm scabies and 
• frostbite. 
• Sweetgum salves have a minor antiseptic value, 
• but work well as an anti-inflammatory. 
• Taken internally, liquid-amber has stimulant and expectorant effects. 
• It is also used internally for sore throats, 
• coughs, 
• colds, 
• asthma, 
• bronchitis, 
• cystitis, 
• vaginal discharge,
• strokes, and is it indicated to 
• have an effect on some cancers.

Right of Nature Bolivia Ecuador and Turkey

By Liliana Usvat
Blog 247-365

Rights of Nature - nature in all its life forms has the right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles.  

Ecuador

“Ecuador is the first country to recognize Rights of Nature in its Constitution.  A great first step for humanity towards a change of paradigm! Ecuador is home to the Galapagos Islands, Andean Mountains and Amazon rainforest as it is a geologically, ecologically and ethnically diverse country.

Ecuador rewrote its Constitution in 2007-2008 and it was ratified by referendum by the people of Ecuador in September 2008.

The new Ecuadorian Constitution includes a Chapter:  Rights for Nature. Rather than treating nature as property under the law, Rights for Nature articles acknowledge that nature in all its life forms has the right to exist, persist, maintain and regenerate its vital cycles.  And we – the people –  have the legal authority to enforce these rights on behalf of ecosystems.  The ecosystem itself can be named as the defendant.”

Bolivia

The Law of Mother Earth - this bill was passed on the 22nd April 2011 which was Earth Day

The law give nature legal rights, specifically the rights to life and regeneration, biodiversity, water, clean air, balance, and restoration. 

Bolivia’s law mandates a fundamental ecological reorientation of Bolivia’s economy and society, requiring all existing and future laws to adapt to the Mother Earth law and accept the ecological limits set by nature. It calls for public policy to be guided by Sumaj Kawsay or Vivir Bien (an indigenous concept meaning “living well,” or living in harmony with nature and people), rather than the current focus on producing more goods and stimulating consumption”

The Law of Mother Earth includes the following;

• the right to maintain the integrity of life and natural processes
• the right to not have cellular structure modified or genetically altered
• the right to continue vital cycles and processes free from human alteration
• the right to pure water
• the right to clean air
• the right to balance, to be at equilibrium
• the right to be free of toxic and radioactive pollution
• the right to not be affected by mega-infrastructure and development projects that affect the balance of ecosystems and the local inhabitant communities

In practical terms, the law requires the government 

• to transition from non-renewable to renewable energy; 
• to develop new economic indicators that will assess the ecological impact of all economic activity;
•  to carry out ecological audits of all private and state companies; 
• to regulate and reduce greenhouse gas emissions; 
• to develop policies of food and renewable energy sovereignty; 
• to research and invest resources in energy efficiency, ecological practices, and organic agriculture; and 
• to require all companies and individuals to be accountable for environmental contamination with a duty to restore damaged environments.

Turkey Is Now Debating An Ecological Change To Their Constitution.

As Turkey has been talking about making a new constitution, which is supposed to value the individual, then we should be talking about an ecological approach to it,