Magical and Medicinal Uses of Dragon's Blood

Gender: Masculine
Planet: Mars
Element: Fire
Powers: Exorcism, Healing, Love, Protection, Purification

Magical Uses and History: Despite its name, dragon's blood is a resin commonly harvested from trees such as Daemonorops draco, Dracaena cinnabar, Dracaena draco, and Croton lechleri. Each variety has slightly different chemical and aromatic properties, but all share the characteristic crimson hue and are, therefore, used interchangeably in spiritual practices.

One of the earliest mentions of dragon's blood dates back to the 1st century, where it is noted in Periplus Maris Erythraei as a product of Socotra, a large trading center. Dragon's blood was used as a dye and paint pigment, as well as medicine. Traditionally, dragon's blood was used to cure a variety of respiratory and gastrointestinal problems as well as to treat minor wounds and abrasions across the world. The Greeks and Romans used it to halt bleeding and promote coagulation, and later as an astringent, a practice shared by those across Asia and Central America. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, it is believed to promote circulation and stop bleeding while warding off evil spirits. It continued to be used well into the medieval and Renaissance periods, its name and historical uses being the subject of significant debates. 

Around 50-80 AD, Pliny and Dioscorides refer to a cure-all known as cinnabaris or cinnabar. According to Pliny, cinnabar was the product of elephants and dragons fighting to the death and their blood mingling. It wasn't until the late 1400s that anyone sought to question Pliny's description, with multiple naturalists, physicians, and botanists arguing over what cinnabar actually was. Today, modern translations believe cinnabar is a reference to the tree Dracaena cinnabar, the Socotra dragon tree, which produces dragon's blood resin. According to Greek myth, the tree originated from the blood of the dragon Ladon, who was slain by Hercules. Upon the dragon's death, the blood seeped into the ground, resulting in the dragon tree being born. Needless to say, dragon's blood is perfect for spells and rituals involving healing and protection. Sprinkle around your home, burn as incense, or add to protection spell bags to create a protective barrier and promote health and well-being. Dragon's blood can also be added to oils to anoint candles, entryways, or yourself for similar purposes.

Due to its red color and its association with dragons, dragon's blood is also believed to enhance personal power and amplify one's magic. It can easily be added to spells and rituals to boost the energy of the spell as well as the energy of other ingredients within the spell or ritual. Because of its ability to amplify, dragon's blood is the perfect resin to use when consecrating ritual items, invoking spirits, or awakening spell ingredients and tools.

Apart from its use in medicine, dragon's blood was highly sought after as a dye and pigment for paint. It was used to stain furniture and violins, to create paint, and even in photoengraving. As a result, dragon's blood makes a great magical ink to write spells with or to use in your grimoire. It can also be used as a blood substitute due to its rich hue.

Dragon's blood can be used in a number of spells, including:

   Protection Spells

   Healing Magic

   Purification Rituals

Medicinal Uses: Dragon's blood is derived from multiple tree species, but Dracaena cochinchinesis and Daemonorops draco are the most commonly used in medicinal applications, although all varieties have been found to be generally safe. Dragon's blood is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory, providing protection against bacteria, fungi, and viruses. Studies have shown promising results in dragon's blood use for treating topical ulcers due to conditions such as herpes, as well as minor wounds and cuts. Internally, dragon's blood is antidiarrheal and is sometimes used to treat diarrhea or dysentery.

Preparation and Dosage: Externally, dragon's blood can be used as an ointment or a diluted tincture to treat ulcers and minor skin abrasions. To dilute, combine 3 to 5 drops of dragon's blood tincture with one ounce of water. Rinse the ulcer or wound up to three times a day. As a tincture, take 1 milliliter with 2 ounces of water or juice up to three times a day. 

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