Plant Essentials Dragon's Blood resin comes from the sap from the Sumatran “Calamus Draco” palm.  It is called Dragon’s Blood because the sap oozes red (instead of the usual white) when the tree bark is cut for harvesting.  For centuries this sap has been prized by locals of not only Sumatra but also Somalia, Mexico and the Amazon rainforest, for its amazing medicinal and rejuvenating properties.  There are a number of local genera of palm that also provide “dragon’s blood”.

Scientific studies over the years have proven that dragon’s blood contains a wide range of naturally-occurring compounds that have wonderful medicinal benefits, including being antibacterial, antiviral and antifungal.   This is why Dragon’s blood is so widely used on infectious skin conditions of all kinds with great success.

The sap is rich in a variety of protective and restorative phytochemicals, including antioxidant phenols, alkaloids, lignans and anti-inflammatory compounds.  It is these compounds that help to protect and rejuvenate skin cells, reduce redness and minimise swelling. Dragon’s blood also contains a group of plant-based polyphenols called proanthocyanidins which have been scientifically proven to repair collagen in skin tissue.  It is these properties that make it so effective in skin care products and anti-aging/rejuvenating facial creams like the Plant Essentials “Frankincense & Comfrey Skin Tonic”.

Another well-known active component in dragon’s blood is an alkaloid called “Tapsine” which has been documented to have anti-inflammatory and wound-healing actions, and when combined with the proanthocyanidins, also shows anti-viral activities and makes it extremely effective against acne.

Not only is dragon’s blood an incredible ingredient to include in skincare and repair it also smells great and the resin is popular in homes throughout the world as an incense and is even mixed with frankincense for use in churches for religious ceremonies.