DRACAENA COCHINCHINENSIS
Categories
Description
Dracaena cochinchinensis is an evergreen, multi-branched, tree-like plant growing 5 - 15 metres tall with boles that can be 1 metre in diameter[266 , 1754 ]. A resin obtained from the tree is often used in traditional Chinese medicine, where it is known as 'Dragon's Blood' or 'xue jie'[266 , 1753 ]. The collection of the resin from this tree, together with habitat destruction, has made this plant a vulnerable species in China[266 ].
Origin
E. Asia - southern China, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand.
Uses
The dried resin, called xue jie or dragon’s blood, is used medicinally[266 ]. 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[1753 , 1754 ]. It is commonly prescribed to invigorate blood circulation for the treatment of traumatic injuries, blood stasis and pain[1754 ]. 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'[1753 ] As a 'panacea of blood activating' resin, RD has great medicinal value, and the main biological activity comes from phenolic compounds[1753 ]. 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[1753 ]. An ethanolic extract of the resin has shown potential antithrombotic properties by affecting platelet aggregation and thus having anticoagulation activities[1753 ]
Cultivation
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[1754 ]. 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[1754 ]