Dragon's Blood Resin - Daemonorops draco

There are in fact many red resins colloquially known as dragon’s blood, many of which possess different properties and come from entirely different plants. The resin of Daemonorops draco is the most commercially available, and is the species provided by Phoenix Rising Apothecary.

The fiery red coloration of Daemonorops draco makes it easy to see how this resin we offer got the common name of Dragon's Blood. Found in tropical regions of Indonesia in Southeast Asia they are known in this part of the world as djerang and jerang.

The fruit looks like round red balls, and the resin hydrocarbon secretion that covers the immature fruit of the palm are extracted by being broken off from the fruit, and this is what is used to make Dragon's Blood. In ancient times, Daemonorops draco was used for such applications as dyes and varnishes, medicines and incense. In China, furniture makers used the Dragon's Blood resin to color wooden furniture, while paper used for special events such as the Chinese New Year were tinted with Dragon's Blood. This dried herb is no longer used internally today, but its colorful properties make it useful to artists and craftspeople.

Dragon’s blood resin is often burned as incense, and its deep red pigment is used as a varnish and a dye. The resin is still used today in modern witchcraft where it is powdered down and used as an ink to write spells. This red resin, unquestionably reminiscent of blood, has long been revered for its magical potency. In accordance with the doctrine of signatures, it was used as a substitute for blood and thought to possess some of the same qualities. Its protective powers were thought to make heroes invincible and to neutralize negative energies. The resin has also been used as an ingredient of magical inks. It shares the binding qualities of Gum Tragacanth and can be used as a fixative for volatile essential oils.

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