In my mosquito diaries, I’m experimenting with Dragon’s Blood for wound healing. Here’s an introduction to what Dragon’s Blood is and how I’m using it.
Dragon’s Blood sounds pretty cool, right? Mythic, even. Yes, it is used to anchor spells and is commonly used in folk magic. Dragon’s Blood also comes with multiple health benefits, including wound healing. And no, you don’t need to go on some heroine’s journey to some remote mountain cave and sacrifice for dragon’s blood.
What is Dragon’s Blood?
Known for its colour, Dragon’s Blood (Sangre de Grado or Croton) is the resin of a tree. Actually it comes from a few species – Croton spp. (syn. Sangre de draco, Euphorbiaceae), Dracaena spp. (syn. Zanzibar drop, Dracaenaceae), Daemonorops spp. (syn. Jerang or Djerang, Palmaceae), and Pterocarpus spp. (syn. East India Kino or Malabar Kino, Fabaceae). Resins are protective against pathogens and have been used medicinally for a long time, including the Chinese, Romans, and Greeks.
Dragon’s Blood & Wound Healing
I’m using this to heal my skin from my mosquito encounters. Like me, some of you may be favourites with the mozzies. Things I’ve tried, some of which are part of my personal protocol, include Frankincense essential oil (Helichrysum is next on my to-try list), Alchemist Collection’s Wound Repair, Staphysagria 30C, Super Silica, aloe vera gel, reducing sugar and dairy, adding fulvic and humic acid, space clearing, and well, not scratching. The last being the least successful. All of these have worked to a certain degree, the homeopathic remedy for example being more a constitutional approach and have their place in my protocol. Still, I needed something else.
Then my friend Colleen of Rose Beauty Studio Louisville suggested a poultice of Dragon’s Blood powder, myrrh essential oil, and shea butter or a CBD balm or another carrier. Dragon’s Blood was what I used for my dog years ago, recommended by another friend, Poppy of Holistic Animal Insights. I had forgotten about it. For a time, I also used Dragon’s Blood incense for purifying the air, meditation, protection, and elevation of spirit. Somewhat recently, I’ve noticed an increase of Dragon’s Blood as an ingredient in skincare and cosmetic, such as Lovinah Skincare. So here we are, learning more about Dragon’s Blood.
Dragon’s Blood Cream & Wound Healing in Vivo
In the study Efficacy of Dragon’s Blood Cream on Wound Healing, 60 subjects aged 14 to 65 with skin tags received either a Dragon’s Blood cream or a placebo. Excluded from the studies were those with uncontrolled or chronic disease and anyone pregnant or breastfeeding. Instructed to use no other medication for their wounds, the participant’s progress was monitored over the trial period on multiple days. If wounds had not healed by the 20th day, the participants were continued to be observed. Like transparent studies, there was a control group who was given a placebo and written consent from participants was obtained. Moreover in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, the study was registered and was confirmed with by the Ethics Committee of Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences (Eth NO. 715).
The result of this study was “a significant difference in the mean duration of wound healing between the two groups.” The researchers believed that the phenolic compounds and the alkaloid taspine of the Dragon’s Blood resin are likely the reason. They concluded that, “being natural accessible, safe, and affordable makes Dragon’s blood cream a good choice for addition to the wound healing armamentarium.”
This study is also worth reading to learn more about Dragon’s Blood and understand the wound healing process. Here’s an excerpt: Wounds, the physical damage to the skin and its underlying structure, can result from trauma, burns, or chemicals. Wound healing is a complicated process. According to cellular and molecular mechanisms, there are three overlapping phases of wound healing as follows: inflammation due to the migration of fibroblasts and inflammatory cells, such as neutrophils and monocytes, into the wound site; then, reconstruction of the epithelial barrier and production matrix at the site of injury leading to new tissue formation; and finally, maturation.
My Own Experience
I purchased my Dragon’s Blood powder from Skin Transformation Co on Etsy. You can also find it in your local health stores if you have any. I also purchased it in liquid form from Luna Sundara. The powder I got is for cosmetic use, which I’ve combined with a CBD balm and myrrh essential oil I already had. The liquid is for both internal and external use. I haven’t started to ingest it. Dragon’s Blood is also known for gastrointestinal conditions. Honestly, we can all use help digesting in these times! You can also read about my thoughts on the Stomach and Spleen Function Energies, Earth Element, and Wei Qi relating to my mosquito encounters here.
So as per Colleen’s recommendations, I made up my poultice and applied it, covering it with gauze for overnight treatment. I’m continuing with this as the CBD balm and myrrh (I also added frankincense) combo is very nourishing for my skin. I have to say that I really like the liquid Dragon’s Blood directly on the wound, creating a protective seal. Day 3 and many of the smaller wounds are scabbing over, which calls for further hydration with the CBD balm combo.
Happy Herb Co recommends Dragon’s Blood as part of a first aid kit because it does seal a wound and stops bleeding. Something to remember when I’m scratching a bite!
Aside from wound healing, the Australia-based Happy Herb Co offers a 15ml liquid Dragon’s Blood and lists the following as additional uses:
- Bleeding gums
- Cold sores
- Diarrhoea
- Digestive complaints
- Dysentery
- Gastrointestinal disorders
- Inflammation
- Ulcers
What are your favourites for wound healing? Have you tried Dragon’s Blood, either as a liquid or powder, for your own wound healing? Let us know! The experiment continues.
