Dragon's Blood – Daemonorops draco

Detailed Description

An enigmatic resin with a long tradition of therapeutic use in folk herbalism, now gaining attention in modern medicine.

Botanical Information

Daemonorops draco is a medium-sized palm that typically reaches 10 to 20 meters in height. Despite its stature, the trunk is relatively slender, usually less than 30 cm in diameter, with smooth and mottled bark that exudes a distinctive red resin known as dragon’s blood when incised. The palm features large, light green, heart-shaped leaves and greenish-white flowers on long petioles.

Origin and Distribution

The Daemonorops genus is found in the Canary Islands, widely cultivated in Indonesia and the Moluccas. Its origins are most likely in Southeast Asia. The term "Indonesian Dragon's Blood" is frequently seen in literature. Today, daemonorops species are increasingly being grown in China, Taiwan, and Malaysia as well.

Usage / Dosage

Dragon's blood is a light red resin harvested from several different plant genera: Daemonorops, Calamus, Pterocarpus, Dracaena, and to a lesser extent, Croton. Currently, the most commonly available dragon’s blood resin comes from Daemonorops draco. The resin is collected by cutting into the immature fruits of the plant.

Renowned for its vivid color and healing properties, dragon's blood has a legacy as a pigment, dye, and potential remedy for respiratory and gastrointestinal concerns since ancient Greek, Roman, and Arab times. Greek physician Dioscorides was among the first to describe its therapeutic uses. In the Arab world, it was called the “blood of two brothers,” while first-century Roman texts referenced it as the blood of a dragon crushed by an elephant. Historically, the dramatic name led to myths that the resin was the literal blood of dragons or other mythical creatures—a belief echoed from ancient Rome to early China and India. In India, the resin featured in ceremonial rites; in China, it was used to stain furniture; in Europe, it found its way into food colorings, furniture finishes, and varnishes for musical instruments, and even as an ingredient in luxurious medieval toothpastes.

Traditionally employed as incense with mystical, exorcistic attributes, dragon’s blood resin was believed to dispel negative energy—smoke that promotes sensual atmospheres, enhances imagination, and “raises” the senses. The dense, rich, bitter-spicy, and dark red smoke is noted for rapidly cleansing a space; its subtle, resinous aroma creates a mystical ambiance. Dragon’s blood is important in African-American hoodoo practices for warding off black magic.

During the 15th century, explorers on the Canary Islands collected “garnet-red” dried drops of resin from Dracaena draco. Similar resin can be obtained from Dracaena species endemic to Socotra Island.

Modern research since the 1980s has examined dragon’s blood in detail. Notably, the alkaloid taspine has been identified as a powerful cicatrizant (wound healing agent). Proanthocyanidins, dimethylcedrusin, and taspine have been found, in scientific studies, to significantly accelerate tissue repair—up to four times faster than individual components alone, and ten times faster than physiological healing—demonstrating impressive synergistic effects.

Belgian studies have shown dragon’s blood’s antibacterial properties against pathogenic strains like Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. The resin is now of considerable interest as a potential immunomodulator, antioxidant, and anti-tumor agent. In 2002, in vitro research showed inhibitory effects on stomach and colon cancer, as well as on myeloid leukemia cell growth. Taspine is a particularly promising compound in anti-cancer research.

Anti-inflammatory activity was first described in 1979, with subsequent studies confirming anti-inflammatory, antitumor (especially against sarcomas), and antiviral effects. Canadian research has highlighted both antioxidant and antifungal actions.

Proanthocyanidins (specifically procyanidins and prodelphinidins, marketed as SP-303) have demonstrated antiviral properties, with animal studies showing the substance can relieve diarrhea caused by cholera toxins. In 2012, following Phase 3 clinical trials, the FDA granted approval for a dragon’s blood-based medication for "symptomatic relief of non-infectious diarrhea in HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy." In the US, the resin is commonly used for acute and chronic diarrhea, including cases associated with irritable bowel syndrome.

The mechanism involves local inhibition of chloride, calcium, and sodium channels, as well as effects on the cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator, which helps normalize water excretion—leading to improved stool consistency and shorter duration of diarrhea. The resin is considered well-tolerated, with side effects similar to placebo.

Topically, dragon's blood resin is widely used in wound care and to staunch bleeding, owing to its antibiotic and anti-inflammatory actions. Research supports its use for wound healing, and dimethylcedrusin, identified in 1993, further aids this process in animal experiments.

Because of limited awareness, minimal European distribution, and regulatory differences, no formal health claims may be made in Europe.

Active Compounds

The best-known and most-studied compounds found in dragon’s blood resin include alkaloids (taspine, betanin), diterpenes, pigments, volatile oils (eugenol, borneol, camphene, calamen, limonene, myrcene, and certain phenols), phytosterols, phytoesteroids (sitosterol, sitostenone), proanthocyanidins (solutaridin, alpha-calacorene), tannins, unsaturated fatty acids, and a range of procyanidins, prodelphinidins, and flavanols like epicatechins, catechins, and epigallocatechins.

Other notable compounds include alpha-calacorene, alpha-pinene, beta-pinene, betaine, cedrucin, daucosterol, bincatriol, calamenene, alpha-copaene, alpha-thujene, beta-caryophyllene, beta-elemene, croletic acid, vanillin, p-cymene, magnoflorin, lignin, isoboldin, dipentene, corberin, and other resins.

Traditional Dosage

For wounds, cracked skin, insect bites, and burns, dragon’s blood can be applied directly. Before applying as a powder to external wounds, disinfecting the area can enhance results. In folk medicine, a diluted solution is taken orally at 5–10 drops, 1–3 times daily.