Dragons Blood

Dragon’s Blood – Socotra Dragon’s Blood Resin – Dracaena cinnabari Resin

CAS Number: 9000-19-5

EINECS Number: 232-530-5

Source

Dragon’s Blood is a red resin exuded by different species of a number of plant genera, including Croton, Dracaena, Daemonorops, Calamus rotang and Pterocarpus. The main commercial source is Sumatra Dragon’s Blood from the Dragon’s Blood tree, Daemonorops draco, a palm tree native to Malaysia and Indonesia. The resin forms as small granules that are broken off the casing of the unripe fruit. Dragon’s Blood is sometimes sourced from other Asiatic species of Daemonorops, or tropical American species of Dracaena. Socotra Dragon’s Blood exudes from the trunk or branches of Dracaena cinnabari, the Socotra Dragon tree or Dragon Blood tree, which is native to the Socotra archipelago in Yemen, located in the Arabian sea in Western Asia.

Properties

Dragon’s Blood is sold in the form of a dark red powder.

Uses

Pharmaceutical Industry

Dragon’s Blood has traditionally been used to heal wounds and as an astringent to stop bleeding, especially in relation to post-partum haemorrhage, menstrual irregularities and internal traumas. It is consumed internally to alleviate skin disorders such as eczema and for its antioxidant and general medicinal properties, particularly for respiratory and gastrointestinal problems. Dragon’s Blood is used to lower fevers and reduce chest pain, as an antiviral for respiratory and stomach viruses, to treat diarrhoea and dysentery, and to alleviate throat, intestinal and stomach ulcers.

Incense Industry

Dragon’s Blood is used as an incense resin.

Wood Treatment Industry

Dragon’s Blood is used in wood varnishes, lacquers and stains, particularly for furniture and stringed instruments such as violins.

Printing & Packaging Industry

In the Printing industry, Dragon’s Blood is used in photo-engraving, to prevent undercutting of the printing surface during etching. It is also used as a dye to colour the surface of paper, and as an additive in red inks and paint pigments.

Other Industries

Dragon’s Blood is used in metal coatings.