Love, Protection, Exorcism, Potency
Ok, so I had to use the Chinese name for this herb, as herbs starting with X in either English or Latin are seemingly non-existent.
Anywho, turns out that xue jie, in English, is dragon’s blood (from the Latin sanguis draconis). It’s the resin from a number of different plants belonging to genera Croton, Dracaena, Daemonorops, Calamus rotang and Pterocarpus. That all seems terribly complicated, so let’s just say it comes from the dragon tree (which is actually true).
Dracaena draco — AKA dragon tree
Burning dragon’s blood will entice wayward lovers to return home. This apparently is most often done by women sitting by an open window at night while looking outside. (Creepy…)
Placing dragon’s blood under a pillow or mattress will cure impotence. When sprinkled around the house or burned as an incense, it will provide protection and ward evil and negativity.
If your house is too noisy, mix powdered dragon’s blood with sugar and salt and place it in a bottle. Cover it tightly and then stash it in your house somewhere it won’t be found. Supposedly this will bring about peace and quiet.
Dragon’s blood has shown to be antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal and is said to be excellent to use on the skin for a wide range of ailments.
In the eighteenth century, dragon’s blood was used as a varnish for violins, and used in toothpaste.
Sources:
Cunningham’s Encylopedia of Magical Herbs, Scott Cunningham, 2016, Llewellyn Publications
Where can I get some dragon’s blood? No I don’t think I’ll tell you which of things I want to heal. Heheehehe.
Xenophobia #Lexicon of Leaving
Dragon’s blood in toothpaste doesn’t sound too appealing… but maybe I’m thinking too literal 😉 Happy A-to-Z-ing.
Hi Sara – how many lovers return?! That would worry me … ?! Fascinating information about Dragon’s Blood … I’ll polish a violin with it – I can’t stash it here … as I just rent … ah well – I’ll dream on by the open window! Cheers Hilary
http://positiveletters.blogspot.co.uk/2017/04/x-is-for-x-war-facts.html
so versatile: Toothpaste, impotence cure and a quieter home
http://sagecoveredhills.blogspot.com/2017/04/x-is-for-x-in-summer-sky.html
I love the name “dragon’s blood”! It’s really interesting how dragons are looked upon so positively in Chinese culture, whereas they’ve traditionally been feared by European society.
I’m off to the garden centre tomorrow to buy a dragon tree! Great post for a near impossible letter.
What a great range of uses. Cool tree, too. Don’t those live to be about 1-2000 years old?
You can’t go wrong with a name like dragon’s blood. ;);)
Oooh, great X choice – I wondered what you were going to come up with. Love the wide range of applications for this one, and am wondering what music played on a violin varnished with dragon’s blood would sound like.
That dragon tree is captivating. I need to investigate since it seems to have a wide variety of uses and powers. Great to read about it. Thanks so much.
I mean… just the name is awesome 🙂
@JazzFeathers
The Old Shelter – 1940s Film Noir
That’s a lovely tree. I’m not familiar with this herb so it was great to learn more from your post. There’s a construction project near my home right now…maybe I should try that bottle remedy 🙂