Plant history

The plant resin has been used for thousands of years for distinct purposes. There are records of its use among the ancient Greeks and Romans and in India, China, and the Middle East.

This began in the 15th century when voyagers obtained Dragon's Blood from Dracaena draco, a tree native to the Canary Islands and Morocco. The resin took the form of dried garnet-red drops, which were extruded from the wounded trunks and branches of the tree.

Plant Identification

• Origin: Socotra, a remote island known as the jewel of the Arabia.
• Growth: It takes about 8 to 10 years for the slow-growing dragon tree to reach just 2 to 3 feet (0.5 to 1 meter) of height, and 30 years for the tree to reach maturity.
• Plant family: Dracaenaceae 
• Scent: It has strong, somewhat sweet fragrance not unlike vanilla and spices.
• Colour: Dark red
• Harvesting: It is gathered by breaking off the layer of red resin encasing the unripe fruit of the rattan. The collected resin is then rolled into solid balls before being sold.
• Endangered: Dragon trees are declining in their original wild habitats, and the tree is categorized as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species. Threats include loss of their habitat to ranching and farming.

Benefits 

Spiritual

In some Wiccan traditions of magic, Dragon’s Blood is used for healing, protection, and banishing. Many Pagan paths believe that adding Dragon’s Blood to any other incense or herb blend will increase the potency of the original mix. 

There is many spiritual origins that dragon blood is used in; these include wiccan, hoodoo, voodoo, shamanism, and certain other folk magic rituals.

Dragon's Blood also comes in handy when it comes to cleansing a space. If the previous occupant of the location left behind some dodgy energy, burn Dragon's Blood incense, or sprinkle the powder around the perimeter to banish away negativity. Blend it with dried sage or sweetgrass for extra metaphysical protection. Dragon blood resin holds a lot of power which can banish entities, evil and excellent to burn in exorcisms.

In some traditions of folk magic, the resin is blended into an oil. Use Dragon's Blood oil to anoint candles or to dab on your wrists to enhance your personal power. Create a money drawing oil by adding bits of lodestone into Dragon's Blood oil, or add cinnamon and pieces of rose quartz to create a love oil. For purification magic, add a few pieces of hematite or onyx, along with rosemary or sage, into your oil, and use it to anoint your doors and windows; this will help keep negative energy outside of your home.

• Dragon blood resin is connected to the element of Fire.

Medicinal

Dragon Blood Resin has many wonderful attributes for medicinal purposes. Dragon blood resin has been used for hundreds of years in medicine such as topical ulcers. Has been recorded to be beneficial against bacteria and fungi. 

One of dragon’s blood’s most common uses in ancient times was for digestive support; the plant resin was especially used for treatment of diarrhoea or dysentery. This amazing resin is a speedy healer for the skin, if you have wounds you can use this for recovering and reducing inflammation. It works wonders for beauty creams and oils as it has anti-ageing properties, this means that is targets wrinkles, exposure and over sensitive skin from exfoliating or allergies. Best to use in a resin form, approved and natural essential oil with a carrier oil.