Royal Dragon Men’s Fragrance Spray

Royal Dragon is a topical fragrance spray for men made by Suifan's Medicine Company, the same maker behind Kwang Tze Solution. It comes in a small 3 ml bottle with a fine spray that goes on with no mess. The blend is built around classic Chinese herbs such as ginseng, angelica dahurica root and cinnamon, with aloe added for a lighter feel on the skin.

Royal Dragon contains water and a proprietary blend of cinnamon, ginseng, aloe, clove, alpinia officinarum root (lesser galangal), angelica dahurica root, cnidium monnieri fruit, atractylodes japonica and zanthoxylum piperitum peel. Many of these are warming, aromatic herbs that have been used in Chinese medicine for centuries, which is where the spray gets its spicy, herbal scent. The exact proportions are not listed by the maker.

Use one or two sprays and spread a thin layer over the local area of skin. Less really is more with this product. Applying too much at once is the most common cause of irritation, so start with a single spray and see how your skin responds before using more. Let it settle on the skin rather than rubbing it in hard.

Yes, Royal Dragon is for external use only. Do not swallow it, and keep it away from your eyes, mouth, broken skin and any open cuts. If it gets into your eyes, rinse well with clean water. Store the bottle out of reach of children, and wash your hands after applying so you do not transfer it to sensitive areas by accident.

A patch test is a good idea, especially if you have sensitive skin. Spray a small amount on the inside of your forearm and wait several hours to see whether any redness, burning or itching appears. Herbs like cinnamon, clove and zanthoxylum peel are naturally warming and can tingle. If irritation develops at any point, stop using it and wash the area with mild soap and water.

Skip Royal Dragon if you are allergic to any of the listed herbs, including cinnamon, clove or ginseng, or if your skin is broken, irritated or prone to reactions. It is intended for adult men and is not for children. If you have a skin condition or are under medical care, check with your doctor or a licensed Chinese medicine practitioner before using it.

In Chinese medicine, ginseng is one of the best known herbs for tonifying qi, the body's vital energy. Angelica dahurica (bai zhi) and cinnamon are warming, aromatic herbs, and together the blend is described in traditional terms as invigorating qi and blood. In Royal Dragon these herbs are used in a topical spray, so their role here is as part of a traditional herbal fragrance applied to the skin.

Each bottle holds 0.1 fl. oz, which is 3 ml. That sounds small, but since you only need one or two sprays at a time, a bottle goes further than you might expect. How long it lasts depends on how often you use it. The compact size also makes it easy to keep in a bag or travel kit.