What Is Dragon's Blood? Benefits, Uses, and Scientific Research

Dragon's Blood is a striking, deep-red botanical resin or sap with a long history of traditional use in cultures around the world. In South American herbal traditions, Dragon's Blood commonly refers to the red sap of Croton lechleri, an Amazonian tree also known as Sangre de Drago or Sangre de Grado.

For generations, the sap has been used traditionally for skin and wound care, digestive wellness, and general herbal support. Modern scientific research has identified numerous naturally occurring compounds in Croton lechleri, including proanthocyanidins, phenolic compounds, diterpenoids, and the alkaloid taspine.

Researchers are particularly interested in Dragon's Blood for its potential antioxidant, skin-supportive, gastrointestinal, and inflammatory-response properties.

What Is Dragon's Blood?

Dragon's Blood is the common name given to deep-red resins or saps obtained from several different botanical species.

One of the most extensively studied South American sources is Croton lechleri, a tree belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family.

When the bark of the tree is cut, it produces a thick red latex-like sap. The dramatic color is responsible for the name "Dragon's Blood."

The sap contains numerous naturally occurring phytochemicals, including:

• Proanthocyanidins

• Phenolic compounds

• Polyphenols

• Taspine

• Diterpenoids

• Phytosterols

• Saponins

• Other naturally occurring botanical compounds

Scientific reviews have identified proanthocyanidins as particularly prominent constituents of Croton lechleri Dragon's Blood.

It is important to check the scientific name when purchasing Dragon's Blood because the term does not refer to one single plant. Dragon's Blood resins can also come from species belonging to Dracaena, Calamus—formerly classified as Daemonorops—and Pterocarpus.

Where Does Dragon's Blood Come From?

Croton lechleri is native to tropical regions of South America, particularly the Amazon rainforest.

The tree grows in countries including Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Bolivia, and surrounding regions.

Indigenous and traditional communities of the Amazon have used its distinctive red sap for generations. Historically, the sap has been applied externally and incorporated into traditional preparations for digestive and other wellness purposes.

Other varieties of Dragon's Blood have completely different geographic origins. For example, Dracaena species associated with Dragon's Blood occur in regions including the Arabian Peninsula, Africa, and Asia.

This geographical and botanical diversity is another reason the scientific name of a Dragon's Blood product is important.

How Is Dragon's Blood Used?

Dragon's Blood has traditionally been used both externally and internally, depending on the botanical species, preparation, and herbal tradition.

Common preparations may include:

• Liquid Dragon's Blood resin or sap

• Herbal extracts

• Capsules and dietary supplements

• Powders

• Skin creams

• Ointments and salves

• Traditional topical preparations

Amazonian Croton lechleri sap has been especially well known for traditional skin and digestive applications.

Because Dragon's Blood products may come from different plant species and can vary substantially in chemical composition, products should always be used according to their specific directions.

What Are the Benefits of Using Dragon's Blood?

Dragon's Blood has a fascinating history of traditional use, but traditional applications should be distinguished from benefits established through modern clinical research.

Antioxidant Support

Dragon's Blood contains numerous naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds, including proanthocyanidins.

These compounds have demonstrated antioxidant activity in experimental research.

Antioxidants help protect cells against oxidative stress associated with free radicals. This has made the antioxidant properties of Croton lechleri an important area of continuing botanical research.

Supports a Healthy Inflammatory Response

Researchers have investigated Croton lechleri and its constituents for potential effects on biological pathways associated with inflammation.

Experimental studies and scientific reviews have identified anti-inflammatory activity among the potential biological properties of Dragon's Blood.

For general wellness purposes, this is more appropriately described as potentially supporting the body's normal inflammatory response rather than treating an inflammatory disease.

Skin Wellness

Skin and wound care are among the most interesting areas of Dragon's Blood research.

The red sap has traditionally been applied topically to the skin. Researchers have investigated compounds such as taspine and phenolic constituents to better understand this historical application.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial involving 60 participants examined a Dragon's Blood cream following skin-tag removal. Researchers reported significantly faster wound healing in the Dragon's Blood group compared with placebo.

While promising, additional studies involving larger populations and different types of wounds are needed.

Dragon's Blood should not be used as a substitute for appropriate medical treatment of serious wounds, burns, infections, or other skin conditions.

Digestive Wellness

Croton lechleri also has a long history of traditional use for digestive concerns.

This area is particularly noteworthy because compounds derived from Croton lechleri eventually contributed to the development of crofelemer, an FDA-approved prescription drug for a specific form of noninfectious diarrhea in adults with HIV/AIDS receiving antiretroviral therapy.

That does not mean ordinary Dragon's Blood supplements are equivalent to crofelemer or should be used to treat diarrhea.

Instead, it demonstrates how the traditional use of a botanical can sometimes lead scientists to identify and investigate specific plant compounds for pharmaceutical applications.

Traditional Skin-Protective Uses

Dragon's Blood sap has traditionally been applied to minor areas of damaged or irritated skin.

When rubbed onto the skin, the sap can form a thin layer over the surface. This physical characteristic, together with its naturally occurring phytochemicals, contributed to its reputation as a traditional topical botanical.

Modern dermatological research continues to investigate its potential applications, but additional clinical studies are needed.

Traditional Wellness Applications

Historical uses of Dragon's Blood extend beyond the skin and digestive system.

Different cultures and different botanical sources of Dragon's Blood have used these red resins in traditional preparations associated with numerous wellness purposes.

However, many of these traditional applications have not been confirmed in controlled human clinical trials and should not be interpreted as established medical benefits.

Dragon's Blood and Modern Herbal Wellness

Dragon's Blood is an excellent example of a traditional botanical that has attracted serious modern scientific attention.

Rather than being a conventional leafy herb, Croton lechleri provides a distinctive red sap rich in naturally occurring botanical compounds.

Its traditional history and emerging research have made Dragon's Blood particularly interesting in botanical formulations associated with:

• Antioxidant support

• Skin wellness

• Digestive wellness

• Normal inflammatory response

• General botanical wellness

Consumers should pay close attention to the botanical species when selecting Dragon's Blood because products sold under this common name may originate from completely different plants.

Learn more about herbs, traditional botanical ingredients, and herbal wellness at God's Way Herbs.

Scientific Research on Dragon's Blood

Dragon's Blood—particularly Croton lechleri—has been the subject of laboratory, animal, and human research.

A major scientific review of Croton lechleri examined its traditional South American applications alongside available pharmacological and clinical research. Researchers reported experimental evidence supporting continued investigation of several traditional applications, particularly those involving skin and gastrointestinal wellness.

More recently, a 2025 review published in Planta Medica evaluated the phytochemistry and pharmacological research involving Croton lechleri. Researchers identified proanthocyanidins as a predominant group of phytochemicals and also documented alkaloids, diterpenoids, phytosterols, saponins, phenolics, and polyphenolic compounds.

Skin research is particularly noteworthy.

A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical trial examined Dragon's Blood cream following skin-tag removal. The study reported a significant difference in healing time compared with placebo. Researchers suggested that phenolic compounds and taspine could contribute to the observed activity, while emphasizing the need for additional research.

A dermatological review has also examined the potential applications of Croton lechleri Dragon's Blood. Researchers highlighted experimental antioxidant, inflammatory-response, antimicrobial, and other properties while concluding that additional investigation is necessary to determine its potential clinical applications.

Scientists have also investigated Croton lechleri for immune-related biological activity. Laboratory research has examined the effects of the plant's latex on components of immune function, although laboratory findings cannot be assumed to produce the same effects when consumed by humans.

Overall, Dragon's Blood represents a fascinating intersection between traditional Amazonian herbal knowledge and modern botanical research. Several areas show scientific promise, but many potential applications still require larger, well-designed human clinical trials.

Dragon's Blood Safety and Considerations

The safety of Dragon's Blood depends partly on its botanical source and how it is used.

Available information suggests that Croton lechleri preparations evaluated in research have generally been reasonably well tolerated. However, this does not establish that every Dragon's Blood product is safe for every person.

The name "Dragon's Blood" can refer to several unrelated botanical species with different chemical compositions. Consumers should therefore verify the botanical identity of the product they are using.

Individuals who are pregnant or breastfeeding should consult a qualified healthcare professional before using Dragon's Blood internally.

People taking prescription medications or managing a medical condition should also consult an appropriate healthcare professional before using concentrated Dragon's Blood preparations or dietary supplements.

Serious wounds, persistent gastrointestinal symptoms, unexplained bleeding, infections, and other medical conditions should receive appropriate medical evaluation rather than being self-treated with Dragon's Blood.

The Bottom Line

Dragon's Blood is one of the most visually distinctive botanicals used in traditional herbal practices.

South American Dragon's Blood from Croton lechleri produces a deep-red sap traditionally associated with skin care, digestive wellness, and general botanical support.

Modern research has identified numerous naturally occurring compounds in the sap, including proanthocyanidins, phenolics, diterpenoids, and taspine. Laboratory studies and some human research provide scientific reasons for continued investigation, particularly in areas involving skin and gastrointestinal health.

However, Dragon's Blood should not be considered a cure-all. Many of its traditional applications still require stronger human clinical evidence.

When selecting Dragon's Blood, always identify the botanical source—such as Croton lechleri—because several unrelated plants produce resins sold under the same common name.

Explore additional herbal education and botanical wellness resources at God's Way Herbs.

References and Further Reading

PubMed – Review of Sangre de Drago (Croton lechleri): Traditional Uses to Clinical Research
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14736360/

PubMed – A Review on Phytochemistry and Recent Pharmacology of Dragon's Blood (Croton lechleri)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40043740/

PubMed – Review of Future Insights of Dragon's Blood in Dermatology
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30556246/

PubMed – Efficacy of Dragon's Blood Cream on Wound Healing: Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26870678/

PubMed Central – Efficacy of Dragon's Blood Cream on Wound Healing
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4737969/

NCBI Bookshelf – Dragon's Blood (LiverTox)
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK604848/

PubMed – Immunomodulatory Activity and Chemical Characterization of Sangre de Drago (Croton lechleri)
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/14598201/

PubMed – Dragon's Blood: Botany, Chemistry and Therapeutic Uses
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18060708/

God's Way Herbs
https://godswayherbs.com/

This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before using dietary supplements, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications, or managing a medical condition.