Lac: The Ancient Remedy from Insect Resin Bridging Tradition and Modern Medicine
Few substances straddle the worlds of ancient ritual, traditional medicine, and modern industry quite like lac (ครั่ง)—the intriguing resin secreted by the lac insect, Laccifer chinensis. Known in Thai as ครั่ง and in Chinese as จุ้ยเก้ง, this natural exudate has colored textiles, sealed documents, delivered vivid reds in temple murals, and, more quietly, worked as a healing agent in traditional remedies across Asia for centuries. Today, as scientists revisit the pharmacological potential of natural compounds, lac is in the spotlight once again—not only for its rich legacy but for surprising early evidence supporting some of its traditional uses. What makes this glossy, carmine-tinted resin so special, and how can today’s health-conscious readers separate myth from material fact?