Dragon's Blood (Daemonorops draco): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does Dragon's Blood work to heal wounds?

Dragon's Blood contains several bioactive compounds that contribute to wound healing. Taspine, a key alkaloid, promotes tissue regeneration and accelerates wound closure. Proanthocyanidins provide antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, while dracorhodin and dracorubin contribute antimicrobial properties. The resin forms a protective barrier over wounds, helping to stop bleeding and prevent infection. Evidence level C supports these mechanisms, based primarily on in vitro and animal studies with limited human clinical trials.

Is Dragon's Blood safe to take during pregnancy?

No, Dragon's Blood is considered unsafe during pregnancy and should be strictly avoided. Traditional use and available evidence suggest it may stimulate uterine contractions, potentially causing miscarriage or premature labor. Breastfeeding women should also avoid Dragon's Blood due to insufficient safety data. Women who are pregnant, nursing, or planning pregnancy should consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal preparations containing this resin.

What is the recommended dosage for Dragon's Blood?

For topical use, Dragon's Blood resin can be applied directly to wounds or incorporated into salves as needed. For internal use, the typical adult dosage ranges from 500mg to 1 gram daily, though internal use should be limited to short durations. Due to evidence level C, dosing recommendations are primarily based on traditional use rather than clinical trials. Consult a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider for personalized guidance.

Does Dragon's Blood interact with any medications?

Limited research exists on specific drug interactions with Dragon's Blood. However, caution is warranted when combining it with anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications, as the resin's potential effects on blood clotting could theoretically alter drug efficacy. Individuals with liver disease should avoid internal use entirely. Always inform your healthcare provider about all herbal supplements you are taking to identify potential interactions with prescription medications.

What are the side effects of taking Dragon's Blood internally?

Internal use of Dragon's Blood may cause stomach upset and gastrointestinal discomfort in some individuals. The resin can also cause temporary staining of the teeth, tongue, or skin due to its deep red color. Large internal doses should be avoided, particularly by those with liver disease. If you experience persistent digestive issues or allergic skin reactions after using Dragon's Blood, discontinue use and consult a healthcare provider.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 29 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Dragon's blood from Daemonorops draco is a red resin used traditionally for wound healing and digestive issues, demonstrating hypoglycemic and anti-inflammatory activities in preclinical studies [PMID:38985928, PMID:38446324].

Contexte

Dragon's blood is a deep-red resin or latex obtained from several plant families, including Arecaceae (specifically the palm tree Daemonorops draco), Asparagaceae, Chamaesyce, and Fabaceae [PMID:31313432, PMID:14752556, PMID:27239099]. While various species produce the resin, the palm tree Daemonorops draco is considered the only 'authentic' source by some pharmacopeias [PMID:31313432].

Usages traditionnels

It has been used as a traditional medicine topically as an astringent and orally for the treatment of diarrhea and digestive diseases [PMID:38985928]. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is an ingredient in 'Jinchuang Ointment' used for non-healing diabetic wounds [PMID:38446324]. It is also used in traditional Korean medicine for relieving pain caused by wound infection [PMID:35356209].

Composés actifs

Key compounds in D. draco include dracorhodin (a flavylium compound), dracoflavylium, and various flavans [PMID:18817913, PMID:19877147, PMID:25601087]. Other identified constituents include dragonins A-D (flavan-3-ol-dihydroretrochalcone dimers), dragonbloodins A1 and A2 (flavonoid trimers), and dracoropins A-H (phenolic compounds) [PMID:28398735, PMID:28736831, PMID:37054821].

Mécanisme d'action

In vivo and in vitro, D. draco extracts have been shown to stimulate glucose uptake in muscle cells [PMID:38446324]. It may inhibit platelet-derived growth factor-induced PAI-1 expression in vascular smooth muscle cells [PMID:38842634] and inhibit NF-κB and activate Nrf2 in various cell lines [PMID:33301918]. In leukemia cells, it induces apoptosis by increasing reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels via miR-216b activation and c-Jun inhibition [PMID:35356209].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DDiabetic Wounds

The clinical efficacy of Jinchuang Ointment (containing D. draco) in treating chronic non-healing diabetic wounds has been demonstrated over several decades [PMID:38842634].

Preuve DHyperglycemia (Animal Model)

Oral administration of crude D. draco extracts in male B6 mice showed a decreasing trend in fasting blood glucose levels from the second to tenth week [PMID:38446324].

Preuve DAcute Myeloid Leukemia (In Vitro)

D. draco exhibited cytotoxic effects and induced apoptosis in U937 and THP-1 cell lines [PMID:35356209].

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Therapy with dragon's blood has not been linked to elevations in serum enzymes or clinically apparent liver injury [PMID:38985928].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence for Daemonorops draco consists primarily of in vitro cell assays and animal models (Level D), with some references to long-term traditional clinical use of formulated ointments. There are no provided RCTs or meta-analyses for this specific species.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 38985928 (2012) — Bioactive ingredients in Korean cosmeceuticals: Trends and research evidence. · Journal of cosmetic dermatology
2.PMID: 38446324 (2024) — Hypoglycemic effects of dracorhodin and dragon blood crude extract from Daemonorops draco. · Botanical studies
3.PMID: 25601087 (2015) — Three new flavans in dragon's blood from Daemonorops draco. · Natural product research
4.PMID: 38842634 (2024) — Novel therapeutic activities of dragon blood from palm tree Daemonorops draco for the treatment of chronic diabetic wounds. · Botanical studies
5.PMID: 31313432 (2019) — Rapid identification of dragon blood samples from Daemonorops draco, Dracaena cinnabari and Dracaena cochinchinensis by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry. · Phytochemical analysis : PCA

Dragon's Blood

Sources et citations

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