About Dragon's Blood - The Miracle Healing Tree
Dragon’s blood - Croton Lechleri, is a dark, red natural plant resin that originates from the gum or sap of the plant groups Croton, Pterocarpus, Daemonorops, or Dracaena. Dragon’s blood products from the Dracaena and Daemonorops genus are the most common and widely used today.
Dragon's blood has been used for a variety of purposes for thousands of years. Evidence of its use has been found in the Middle East, China, India, Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. It has been used medicinally for health purposes. The indigenous tribes of Peru, Mexico and Ecuador, in particular, considered the resin a medicinal treasure, using it as a liquid bandage to stop bleeding, seal and protect wounds, and accelerate healing. It has a strong, sweetish fragrance.
Current research into the properties of Dragon's Blood shows it has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antiseptic, antitumor and cytotoxic, antiulcer and antiviral, immunomodulatory, muscular tissue regenerator, mutagenic and antimutagenic, purifier, skin conditioning, wound healing, among others (1,2,3).
Dragon's Blood In Skincare & Beauty Products
Dragon's blood has gained much interest in the cosmetic and beauty industry due to its high antioxidant values, skin protection and regeneration properties. The antioxidant values of foods listed are expressed in ORAC (Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity) units, a unit of measurement for antioxidant content which was originally developed by the National Institute on Aging (4).
Dragon's Blood has been studied for its effects on wound healing and skin regeneration. A study done on sixty patients (5), between the ages of 14–65 years, who were referred for skin tag removal showed there was a significant reduction in the duration of wound healing in those using a cream containing dragons’ blood. The phenolic compounds and the alkaloid taspine, are the main reasons for the wound healing property of this plant. Taspine has a powerful cicatrizant (wound healing) effect which stimulates fibroblasts - cells responsible for the production of collagen, glycoaminoglycans, and proteoglycans - to migrate to sites of skin damage and multiply there. This helps regenerate the skin and rebuild connective tissue. Proanthocyanidins are chemical compounds that protect and strengthen collagen fibres enhancing skin suppleness and elasticity.
The combination of these chemical compounds and a high polyphenol content make dragons blood a super antioxidant for all skin types, especially in conditions where protection from oxidative stress and healing are required. Not only does Dragons Blood increase wound healing, it also forms a protective barrier over the skin to shield it from harsh elements. This reduces signs of aging such as pigmentation and skin damage from environmental damage and oxidative stress.
Damaged, sensitive and mature skin can take comfort in the protective, nourishing and healing properties of this amazing plant resin.
Article by: Dr. Carolyn Goh
Integrated Health Consultant,
BEng., MSc., PhD (DIC)., MBBS
Reference:
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4. https://www.nia.nih.gov/
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