Dragon's Blood Essential Oil: Possible Uses, Benefits, & Side-Effects

Dragon’s blood essential oil is derived from the blood-red resin of a tree called Daemonorops Draco. The resin is an organic substance that is formed in the tree secretion. [1]

Apart from Daemonorops, the blood-red resin can also come from plant species from Dracaena, Croton, and Pterocarpus genera. These resins have a protective functionality against pests and pathogens. [1]

The dragon tree from the Dracaena genera can be over 20 feet wide and 60 feet tall. The substance is a popular ingredient in traditional Chinese medicine.

The essential oil was mostly used in funerary rites. But, it possesses so many medicinal values. You can use this oil for several purposes.

In this article, you will know some benefits and uses of dragon’s blood essential oil.

There’s no such study on dragon’s blood essential oil. But the dragon’s blood resin has some proven benefits. As the oil extracted from the resin contains most of the medicinal values, you may get the same benefits from this essential oil.

Benefits & Uses of Dragon’s Blood Essential Oil

1. Dragon’s Blood Essential Oil Has Antimicrobial Abilities.

There are a lot of additives used in food these days that are harmful. Dragon’s blood is considered a safer food conservative.

A study published in the journal BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine evaluated the antimicrobial and antioxidant of dragon’s blood resin. [2]

The researchers took three dragon’s blood extract and tested whether they could kill the foodborne pathogens, such as Salmonella enteritidis and E. coli. The extracts showed good preventive activity against food pathogens. [2]

The study concluded that the dragon’s blood might be a potential food preservative due to its antimicrobial properties. So, the essential oil may also have antimicrobial effects.

2. It May Help in Wound Healing.

Some studies showed that dragon’s blood might accelerate the wound healing process. One of them was published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine. [3]

60 patients between 14 and 65 years of age attended the trial. Some of them used dragon’s blood on their wounds while others took a placebo cream.

The result showed that dragon blood could improve the healing. Researchers think it’s because of the presence of proanthocyanidins, catechin, and alkaloid taspoine. These three components are responsible for the resin’s ability to the healing wound. [3]

The esult showed that dragon blood could improve the healing. Researchers think it’s because of the presence of proanthocyanidins, catechin, and alkaloid taspoine. These three components are responsible for the resin’s ability to the healing wound. [3]

How to use Dragon’s blood oil for wound healing

You may alsotry the essential oil for wound healing. Make sure you diluted the oil first and apply it to the affected area.

3. Dragon’s Blood Essential Oil May Help in Skin Care.

Dragon’s blood has become a popular ingredient in beauty industries. It’s because the resin contains antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties. [3]

Due to its wound healing abilities, the resin can also help in various skin care. It may also work well when it comes to reducing the aging sign.

Here’s how you may use dragon’s blood oil for skin care:

You can use the diluted essential oil or dragon’s blood infused cream as your daily skin care.

4. It May Contain Anti-Diarrheal Properties.

Dragon’s blood may have the ability to control diarrhea.

A study published in 2001 showed that dragon’s blood infused in castor oil could improve diarrhea in animal subjects. [4]

Another study published in 2002 used a standardized dragon’s blood product (SP-303) along with placebo on some travelers.

Some of the travelers took 125, 250, or 500 milligrams of SP-303 and the rest took a placebo. The results showed SP-303 shortened the duration of diarrhea by 21%. [5]

SP-303 is not currently available. But, it’s a sign that you may also use this essential oil to treat diarrhea.

Learn how you may use dragon’s blood oil for diarrhea:

Dilute a few drops of dragon’s blood essential oil with a carrier oil. Gently massage your lower abdominal area with the oil.

5. Dragon’s Blood Essential Oil May Aid in Ulcer Remedy.

The red resin is also claimed to treat peptic ulcer.
In a study, researchers from Chinese Academy of Sciences showed that dragon’s blood killed the Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria known for causing peptic ulcer. [6]

As the oil comes from this medicinal resin, it may also help in treating ulcers.

How you can use dragon’s blood essential oil for ulcer remedy:

Dilute some of this essential oil with a good carrier oil. Massage your stomach with the oil. You can also pour some oil in the diffuser and inhale the aroma.

Possible Side Effects of Dragon’s Blood Essential Oil

Little is known about the safety of this essential oil due to lack of research. But, you can have a good result by using this oil moderately:

Do not take this oil internally.
Always dilute this oil first before any topical application.
Aromatherapy is the safest way to use dragon’s blood essential oil. But you should not use them in high dosage or for a longer time.
The safety of this oil’s usage on the skin is still unclear. It’s recommended to do a patch test on skin before regular use.
Pregnant women and breastfeeding moms are highly recommended not to use this oil.
Always consult with an expert before using this essential oil.
Always buy the USDA certified organic dragon’s blood essential oil. Do not confuse it with the adulterated dragon’s blood fragrance oils.

Best Blending Combination

You can use Dragon’s blood essential oil by mixing it with a carrier oil. But, this oil also blends well with some other essential oils, such as:

Patchouli essential oil.
Lavender essential oil.
Tea tree essential oil.
Rosemary essential oil.

Some Interesting Facts About Dragon’s Blood

People in South America use dragon’s blood resin as traditional medicine. [7] But, the sap of the tree was widely used in Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru in the 1600s.
The blood-red resin was quite popular as a dye in ancient time.
Due to habitat loss, some of the dragon tree species are currently on the endangered list.

End Note

There’s not much research on the uses and benefits of dragon’s blood essential oil. But, due to some proven benefits of the resin it comes from, you may want to give it a try.

You should be careful while buying any essential oil. Some aromatic oils can be adulterated with harmful chemicals. Those oils may not give you the desired results.

If you’re new to any essential oil, read the label. If needed, take an expert’s advice.

Some people claim that you can use pure dragon’s blood oil on your skin. But it’s suggested that you don’t do that. Mix it with a good carrier oil before using it.