Heads up, Lancelot: A traditional Chinese medicine called dragon's blood may fight ulcer bacteria and blood clots.
So say scientists in Shanghai, China.
They describe dragon's blood as a "dark red resinous substance derived from various plants" that has long been used in Chinese medicine to treat conditions including ulcers and wounds.
The scientists discovered eight new flavonoids (a type of antioxidant) and found 14 known compounds in the dragon's blood extract.
Next, the researchers pitted the dragon's blood compounds in test tubes against two foes: ulcer-causing H. pylori bacteria and thrombin, a blood-clotting agent.
Two of the newly discovered flavonoids and one of the known compounds stood out for their ability to counter H. pylori.
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