Dragon’s Blood – History and Uses

Dragon’s blood is a bright red resin that comes from different species of a variety of different plant genera - Croton, Dracaena, Dae-
monorops, Calamus rotang and Pterocarpus.

History

The source and identify of Dragon’s Blood created a great deal of confusion for the ancients. The ancient Romans often con-
fused the resin of the Dracaena species (the ‘true’ dragon’s blood), and the very poisonous mineral cinnabar (mercury sulphide).

In the 15th Century voyagers to the Canary Islands obtained dried garnet-red drops of dragon’s blood from a tree that was both
native to the Canary Islands and also Morocco known as Dracaena draco. Dragon’s blood is also obtained from the Dracaena
cinnabari, which is endemic to the island of Socotra. The resin is exuded from the wounded trunks or branches of the trees. The
resin was then traded to ancient Europe via the Incense Road.

The Indonesian Island Rattan palms of the genus Daemonorops is also known to produce dragon’s blood resin and known by the
locals as jerang or djerang. The unripe fruit of the rattan is encased in a layer of red resin. It is through the breaking off of this layer
that they gather the resin. After collection the resin is rolled into sold balls for sale.

The red latex of the Sangre de Drago, aka Sangre de Grado, tree (at least seven species of Croton native to Peru, Ecuador and
Brazil), has wound-healing and antioxidant properties, and has been used for centuries by the native people.

Uses

It is used as a colouring matter for varnishes, tooth-pastes, tinctures, plasters, for dyeing horn to imitate tortoiseshell, etc. It is very
brittle, and breaks with an irregular, resinous fracture, is bright red and glossy inside, and darker red sometimes powdered with crim-
son, externally. Small, thin pieces are transparent.

Medicinal: The resin of Dragon's Blood is used externally as a wash to promote healing and stop bleeding. Internally it is used for
chest pains, post-partum bleeding, internal traumas, and menstrual irregularities.

Dragon's Blood Bath Salt dwp:

Quantity: Prepare yourself in style for your rituals and celebrations. Made with pure seasalt and clean straight resin.
Dragon's Blood Oil:
Dragon's blood oil is good for protection and empowerment and is especially helpful for defense on the astral plane. Like any
sword, it has two sides; it can be used in offense as well as defense. On the other hand, some folks work love magick with dragon's
blood oil--its red color amplifies the passion of a work and its Mars association increases the power. This magick oil is made by
steeping the best refined Chinese dragon's blood resin in safflower oil. Like the dragon's blood palm itself, safflower is a Mars plant
(and even contains the Mars metal, iron), so the power of this oil is doubled. In addition, the oil is scented with opoponax, a Mars/
Pluto resin that is especially effective for protection as well as for acquiring the kind of knowledge one might wish to gain on the as-
tral plane. It's also nicely fragrant. Dragon's blood resin is a colorant, so this oil can stain clothes. Because this is made from resins
instead of essential oils, it will settle out after it sits for a while, so shake thoroughly before using. Store in a cool, dark place.

Dragons Blood Meridian: HEART, LIVER

Dispel blood stasis, relieve pain:traumatic injuries causing fractures, contusion, sprains, bruising and stops bleeding (topically). pro-
tect decay of ulcer surface, generate flesh, chronic non-healing sores

Dragons Blood Cosmetic Uses

Dragon’s blood is a fairly modern addition to Western skin care products, and it offers a host of benefits – including the ability to
help fight acne, since it looks after the inflammation, discomfort and appearance of the skin.

The Cosmetic application property of Dragon's Blood and its mechanism works can be briefly explained below:

There are various well-documented benefits for using Dragon's blood in skin care preparations, and it is for this reason why Drag-
on's blood has been included as one of the active components of many Problem Skin products. It should be kept in mind that a
problem, or acne-riddled skin is in a state of inflammation - and to heal the skin a person needs to look at sorting out the inflamma-
tion.

The therapeutic properties of Dragon's blood includes the following: anaesthetic, anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, anti
-dysenteric, antifungal, anti-haemorrhagic (reduce bleeding), anti-leukaemia, antioxidant, antiseptic, anti-tumour, antiviral, neuras-
thenic (reduce nerve pain) and wound healer and also includes analgesic (pain-reliever), anti-cancerous, anti-itch, anti-ulcerous and
astringent properties.

From the above it must be clear why this natural "wonder" ingredient has been included in our acne fighting products, as it has won-
derfully anti-inflammatory qualities and has been proven to stimulate human skin fibroblast - which in turns help to heal the skin. It
also has a protective action on the skin and coupled to the wonderful anti-bacterial properties makes it a natural to be included in a
product to fight acne. Notwithstanding the anti-bacterial effect on the skin, it also exhibits powerful anti-viral properties. Apart
from all these very positive qualities, Dragon's blood also has very good anti-oxidant properties which also help to protect the
DNA in the skin cell, which protects the skin from genetic alteration. It also has a protective effect on the skin as it protects the skin
from oxidative free radicals. Another problem experienced by people suffering from problem or acne skin is the discomfort, pain and
itching of the skin on a continual basis - and here dragon's blood helps to relieve the pain, itching, swelling and discomfort of the skin.

Magickal Uses of Dragon’s Blood

This resin from a palm tree is burned to entice errant lovers to return. This is usually done by women seated near an open window,
looking outside, at night. A stick of dragon's blood placed under the pillow or mattress will cure impotency. The dried resin is a pow-
erful protectant when carried, sprinkled around the house, or smouldered as incense. It will also drive evil and negativity away when
burned. A pinch of dragon's blood added to other incenses or oils increases their potency and power.

To quiet a noisy house, powder some dragon's blood, mix it with sugar and salt, and place in a bottle. Cover this tightly and secured
it somewhere in your house where it won't be found. You'll have peace and quiet.
Magickal: Love, Consecration, Fertility, Funeral Rite, Potency

Magical usage: According to Cunningham, the resin from this palm tree is burned to entice errant lovers to return which is usually
done by women seated near an open window, looking outside, at night. A stick of it placed under the pillow or mattress will cure im-
potency. Its resin is a powerful protectorate that when carried, smouldered as incense, or sprinkled around the house will drive away
evil and negativity. A pinch of it added to other incenses will increase their potency and power. According to Cunningham, in order
to quiet a noisy house, use the powder mixed with sugar and salt and place a bottle to be hidden somewhere in the house where it
can't be found. The result will be peace and quiet within the house. Lore/Folk Magic Beliefs come from Scott Cunningham's En-
cyclopaedia of Magical Herbs - 1985 and archival studies from the Tree Leaves Folk Fellowship.

Lore: Magickal Herbalists have been stirred by the properties and uses of the resin for generations. Due to its colour of red and
its pleasing odours. Dragon’s Blood is widely used in love magick and workings of the heart. Also widely used as a funeral herb, it is
most common to burn the resin as incense during funeral rites, for ease of transition. It is said to place a piece of the plant under the
mattress cures impotency. It is also added to love sachets and spells to give greater potency of other herbs for magick and rituals
when blended together. Although being Dragons Blood is the most common in a love working. Its most well-known use is Witches
Ink. It is used well upon many paths and faiths for their Journals or B.oS and for their personal sigil.

Witches Ink:

4 oz. Transparent Alcohol (vodka works well)

2 tsp. Dragons Blood (powdered resin)
1 tsp. Pure Vanilla (tincture)
1 tsp. Lavender (tincture)
1 cinnamon stick
2 cloves (optional)

Mix all together in a tightly sealed jar. Shake until mixed well. Place in dark cool cabinet. Bring out once a day and shake up to stir
for seven days. Test the ink by placing your pen, needle or toothpick in the ink, then test on paper. If colour is dark enough for you
it's ready to use. If you would like it even darker then add more resin and repeat the shaking. Test every day until you have the de-
sired colour hue.

All information in this document has sourced from other sites. It was not written by me nor do I
claim to have written this. It is intended as a guide only.
Sources of information:

Wikipedia – History

www.mdidea.com - Uses