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oxidation, which facilitates breathing at high altitudes and constricts blood vessels to slow and stop bleeding

(Major). Sangre de Drago, or Dragon’s blood is a tree that grows in the Peruvian Amazon. Its bark and bright red

sap have been used medicinally for centuries. Some of its medicinal uses include: haemostatic, anti-diarrhetic,

anti-ulcer, anti-microbial, antiviral, wound healing, anti-tumor, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant (Gupta et al.).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, Peru is a country filled with plants with unique nutritional and medicinal value. Native

Peruvians have been utilizing their natural flora for centuries to improve and maintain their health, and in some

areas these beliefs still persist today. The emphasis on natural medicine in the region has helped to bring to light

some crops with true medicinal values, that show promise to improve and protect human health worldwide. The

research so far has been promising, but the worldwide interest in these plants has remained largely unchanged, and

the research is still lacking. These crops warrant increased research to further confirm and explore their values and

place in treating health conditions. In particular, more research needs to be done to determine the causative

compounds in each of these plants, and to determine whether the concentrated isolated compounds could have

effects similar or superior to current drugs on the market. Ultimately, maca, mashwa, and yacon have the potential

to become superfoods that are both nutritionally superior, and offer additional health benefits to consumers.

Additionally, with further scientific research into the active compounds and possible side effects, their

concentrated extracts have a strong potential to become popular health supplements or even medications.

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