What is Dragon’s Blood?

The name Dragon’s Blood comes from the Spanish phrase “Sangre de grado” meaning “blood of the dragon”. Dragon’s Blood is a bright red resin that comes from a variety of distinct plant genera: Pterocarpus, Dracaena, Croton, Daemonorops, Calamus and Rotang. This red resin has been used for hundreds if not thousands of years for a variety of applications including medicine, incense, and dye.

The History of Dragon Blood

References date back as early as the 1600s, when Spanish explorer P. Bernabe Cobo who found the sap used by local tribes across Ecuador and Peru. This resin and bark has been used as a traditional medicine through South America.

The earliest studies involving these specific plants in this form date back to the late 1970s. Preparations made from dragon's blood are found in several pharmaceutical products, some of them are patented.

Dragon Blood Use

Dragon’s Blood has been used both internally and externally to stop bleeding, heal wounds, and to treat intestinal problems. It has also been used to treat diarrhea and digestive tract issues.

Small quantities are either ingested (after diluting it with water) or applied directly to the skin as a drying agent (astringent).

Side effects & Safety

Given the limited and small sample sizes of clinical testing, there is not much evidence to support any side effects. No major toxicities have been reported when using dragon's blood.