What are the efficacy and effects of Dragon's Blood (Xue Jie)?
Dragon's blood is sweet, salty, and neutral in nature, and is associated with the heart and liver meridians. It has various therapeutic effects, including promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis, reducing swelling and relieving pain, stopping bleeding, detoxifying and clearing heat, and soothing the liver to regulate qi. The specific details are as follows:
1. Promoting Blood Circulation and Removing Blood Stasis
Dragon's blood is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine to invigorate blood circulation and resolve blood stasis, helping improve blood flow and prevent or alleviate conditions caused by stagnant or coagulated blood. It is particularly effective in treating symptoms such as pain, bruising, and hematoma resulting from blood stasis.
2. Reducing Swelling and Relieving Pain
Due to its blood-activating properties, dragon's blood is commonly used to alleviate arthritis, sprains, traumatic swellings, and pain. It helps reduce both swelling and discomfort, thereby improving pain-related symptoms.
3. Stopping Bleeding
Dragon's blood is used as a hemostatic agent, especially in managing bleeding following trauma or surgery. It aids in promoting vasoconstriction, slowing down, or stopping hemorrhage.

4. Detoxifying and Clearing Heat
Dragon's blood possesses certain detoxifying and heat-clearing properties, which may be beneficial in treating heatstroke, diseases caused by heat toxicity, and symptoms of fever or poisoning due to infections.
5. Soothing the Liver and Regulating Qi
Dragon's blood also helps soothe the liver and relieve emotional stagnation, promoting smooth flow of qi. According to traditional Chinese medicine theory, it can be used to regulate mood, alleviate emotional depression, and improve discomfort caused by liver qi stagnation.
It should be emphasized that dragon's blood is typically used as an herbal ingredient within traditional Chinese medicine formulations rather than as a standalone treatment. Its use should be guided by a qualified physician or licensed practitioner of traditional Chinese medicine to ensure proper dosage, method of administration, and consideration of individual patient conditions.