Laccifer lacca/Coccus lacca

SHELLAC, LACCA

Shellac is used in orthodox medicine to coat tablets, in Chinese medicine for bleeding, and by Unani physicians for blood, liver, and kidney disorders.

Shellac is a reddish resin that the female lac-insect exudes over twigs to build a trap for herself and somewhere to lay and hatch her eggs. East and West have their own species of the lac-insect; many Westerners come into daily contact with shellac as an ingredient of varnishes, cake glazes, hair sprays, wood fillers and polishes, as well as in medicines. Collected twigs, still carrying the crimson bodies of the lac-insect, are known as sticklac and provide a crimson dye before the resin is separated off for other purposes.

PARTS USED

Flakes of resin.

ACTIVE INGREDIENTS

Resinoltannols of aleuritic acid; erythrolaccin; lacconic acid.

ACTIONS

Anti-inflammatory; anti-infective; stimulates the stomach.

MEDICINAL USE

Regarded by Chinese physicians as an aid to healing, particularly for bleeding gums, excess menstrual bleeding, and fainting after childbirth. Unani physicians give it for blood, kidney, and liver disorders. In orthodox medicine, it is commonly used to coat tablets.

PREPARATIONS

Separated resin, melted and filtered.