Lac wax

Lac wax

　　Lac wax is an oil extracted by pressing the seeds of the lacquer tree. The total oil content of lacquer seeds is 31.16%, with an oil yield of around 15%. The seeds contain 2.13% ash, 24.52% crude fiber, 14.89% protein, and 28.3% non-nitrogenous substances. The oil is a white solid and can be consumed in small amounts. However, from a commercial standpoint, lac wax is currently mainly used in the production of soaps, toilet soaps, cold creams, and similar products. The seed surface contains about 20% wax, which can be harvested and used as raw material for candles and wax paper. Lacquer seeds also have medicinal uses and are primarily prescribed for asthma, excessive liver heat, stomach disorders, and injuries from falls or blows. Externally, they are used to treat fractures and traumatic bleeding. The residue from pressed lacquer seed oil also serves as excellent pig feed. An analysis of the comprehensive utilization of lacquer tree resources shows that income from lacquer seeds generally exceeds that from raw lacquer. A mature lacquer tree can yield approximately 10–15 kilograms of lacquer seeds per year. Once processed into finished products such as lac wax and lacquer seed oil, their economic value surpasses that of raw lacquer. In the entire region, lac wax production is mostly for self-use with limited procurement, yet it still accounts for a significant proportion of Yunnan Province’s total collection. In 1981, Yunnan Province collected 212,350 kilograms of lac wax, with Zhaotong City accounting for 156,700 kilograms, or 74% of the provincial total. Emphasizing the development of lac wax production not only provides mountain farmers with expanded sources of income but also plays an important role in meeting the industrial oil needs of the province. (Zhaotong)