Chinese: 紫膠蟲

English: Lac insect

Scientific Name:  Kerria lacca (Kerr.)

Part: Whole

Category: Insect

 

The lac insect, also known as Kerria lacca, is a small insect native to Southeast Asia and India. It is a parasitic insect that feeds on the sap of host trees, particularly the "laksh" tree, which is where the name "lac" comes from.

 

The female lac insect produces a resinous secretion that hardens into a protective shell around her body. This shell, known as lac, is harvested and processed to produce various products, such as shellac, which is commonly used as a varnish, adhesive, and coating in a wide range of industries, including woodworking, food, and pharmaceuticals.

 

The harvesting of lac involves cutting the branches of the host trees, collecting the lac secretions, and processing them into various forms. This process has been practiced for centuries and is an important source of income for many rural communities in Southeast Asia and India.

 

In addition to its commercial uses, lac has also been used in traditional medicine for its purported health benefits. It is believed to have antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, and is used to treat a variety of conditions, such as fever, diarrhea, and skin disorders.

 

紫膠蟲是原產於東南亞和印度的小型昆蟲。它是一種寄生蟲，以寄主樹的汁液為食，尤其是“laksh”樹，“lac”這個名字就是由此而來。

 

雌性紫膠蟲會分泌一種樹脂狀分泌物，這種分泌物會硬化成圍繞身體的保護殼。 人們採收和加工紫膠蟲的殼以生產各種產品，通常用作各種行業的清漆、粘合劑和塗料，包括木工、食品和藥品。

 

採收紫膠包括切割寄主樹的樹枝，收集紫膠分泌物，並將其加工成各種形式。這個過程已經實踐數世紀，是東南亞和印度許多農村社區的重要收入來源。

 

除了商業用途，紫膠還因健康益處而被用於傳統醫學。人們認為紫膠具有抗氧化、抗菌和抗炎特性，可用於治療各種疾病，例如發燒、腹瀉和皮膚病。