Common Name:

General Information

Dracaena cochinchinensis is an evergreen, multi-branched, tree-like plant growing 5 - 15 metres tall with boles that can be 1 metre in diameter[, ].
A resin obtained from the tree is often used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is known as 'Dragon's Blood' or 'xue jie'[, ].
The collection of the resin from this tree, together with habitat destruction, has made this plant a vulnerable species in China[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southern China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand.

Habitat

Sunny cliffs in limestone areas; at elevations from 900 - 1,700 metres in southern China[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

This species is one of several that supply a red resin from their stem. This resin, often known as 'Dragon's Blood' is often used as an external application to treat a range of skin problems and injuries[]. Dragon's Blood can be obtained from several species in this genus, as well as from three other distinct genera - Croton species, Daemonorops species and Pterocarpus species[]

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The dried resin, called xue jie or dragon’s blood, is used medicinally[].
Resina Draconis, is a red resin obtained from the trunk of this tree. It can promote blood circulation, and also acts as an analgesic, antibacterial, antiinflammatory, antioxidant, antiseptic, antispasmodic, antithrombotic, antitumor, astringent and haemostatic. It is also known to enhance immune function, promote skin repair, stop bleeding and enhance blood circulation[, ]. It is commonly prescribed to invigorate blood circulation for the treatment of traumatic injuries, blood stasis and pain[]. It is often used externally to treat wounds, cuts and skin problems.

The resin is considered an important compound for use in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It is a major component of a well-known and much used Chinese haemostatic preparation 'Yun Nan Bai Yao'[]
As a 'panacea of blood activating' resin, RD has great medicinal value, and the main biological activity comes from phenolic compounds[].

Pharmacological studies have showed that the resin has positive effects on the treatment of blood stasis syndrome, trauma, tumors, inflammation, gynecopathy, allergic dermatitis, and so on[].
An ethanolic extract of the resin has shown potential antithrombotic properties by affecting platelet aggregation and thus having anticoagulation activities[]

Other Uses

A resin obtained from the plant is used medicinally[].

Propagation

Seed -
Cuttings. Dracaena species are generally easy to propagate. Only a small piece of the plant is required to form a new plant, and even when thrown away it may easily root[].

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