Lac Leaf, a name in traditional Chinese medicine. It refers to the leaves of the lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F.A. Barkl.), a plant belonging to the genus Toxicodendron in the Anacardiaceae family.It is distributed throughout China, except in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, detoxifying, killing parasites, and promoting wound healing. It is primarily used to treat purpura, facial swelling and discoloration, traumatic bruising and bleeding, ulcerated sores, scabies, and lacquer poisoning.
Lacquer Leaf
Lac Leaf, a name in traditional Chinese medicine. It refers to the leaves of the lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F.A. Barkl.), a plant belonging to the genus Toxicodendron in the Anacardiaceae family.It is distributed throughout China, except in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang. It has the effects of promoting blood circulation, detoxifying, killing parasites, and promoting wound healing. It is primarily used to treat purpura, facial swelling and discoloration, traumatic bruising and bleeding, ulcerated sores, scabies, and lacquer poisoning.
Chinese Name : 漆叶
Nature, Flavor & Meridian Tropism : Pungent in taste, warm in nature. Enters the Liver and Spleen meridians
Benefits & Efficacy
Benefits
Promotes blood circulation and detoxifies; kills parasites and promotes wound healing.
Indications
Purple Cloud Syndrome, facial swelling and discoloration, traumatic bruising, swelling, and bleeding, ulcerated sores, scabies, and lacquer poisoning.
Usage and Dosage
External use: Apply an appropriate amount, pounded into a paste; or apply the pounded juice; or decoct in water for washing.
Precautions
Not suitable for those with yin deficiency.
Relevant Discussions
1. *Compendium of Materia Medica*: “Treats fatigue-related illnesses and kills parasites.”
2. *Ben Cao Meng Quan*: “Apply the squeezed juice to ringworm; the redness around the sores will gradually subside.”
Applications
Related Compatibility
To treat lacquer poisoning, apply the juice extracted from lacquer leaves, or boil the leaves in water, let the solution cool, and use it for washing; avoid washing with warm water or drinking alcohol. (*Ben Cao Qiu Yuan*)
Processing & Preparation
Harvesting & Processing
Leaves are harvested in summer and fall; they are available year-round and should be used fresh.
Crude Drug Identification
Botanical Information
Botanical Classification
Toxicodendron, a plant of the genus Toxicodendron in the family Anacardiaceae.
Morphological Characteristics
The lacquer tree, also known as “Da Mu Qi” or “Shan Qi” (*Illustrated Guide to Chinese Higher Plants*), “Zha Miao” (*Classification of Chinese Trees*), “Xiao Mu Qi” (Hubei), and “Xia Ni Zi” (Shandong). A deciduous tree reaching up to 20 m in height.The bark is grayish-white, rough, and irregularly fissured longitudinally; the twigs are stout and covered with brown soft hairs; winter buds arise at the tips of branches, are large and conspicuous, and are covered with brownish-yellow downy hairs. The odd-pinnate compound leaves are spirally arranged and alternate, 22–75 cm long; the petioles are 7–14 cm long, covered with fine soft hairs, swollen near the base, semicircular, and flat on the upper surface;There are 4–6 pairs of leaflets; the petiolules are 4–7 mm long; the leaflets are ovate, ovate-elliptic, or oblong, 6–13 cm long and 3–6 cm wide, with an acuminate or acute apex, an oblique base that is rounded or broadly cuneate, and entire margins; the upper surface is glabrous or with fine hairs along the midvein, while the lower surface is initially finely hairy and, when mature, densely covered with pale brown soft hairs along the veins;Lateral veins 10–15 pairs, slightly raised on both surfaces, membranous to thin papery. Panicle 15–30 cm long, covered with grayish-yellow fine pubescence; flowers hermaphroditic or dioecious, yellowish-green; male flowers with 5 ovate calyx lobes, ca. 0.8 mm long;petals 5, oblong, reflexed when open; stamens 5, ca. 2.5 mm long, attached to the margin of the disk, filaments linear, anthers oblong; female flowers smaller than male flowers, ovary globose, 1-chambered, ca. 1.5 mm in diameter, styles 3.The fruit cluster is slightly pendulous; the drupes are reniform or elliptical, not asymmetrical, slightly flattened, 5–6 mm long, 7–8 mm wide, with a yellow, glabrous, glossy exocarp that does not split upon maturity; the mesocarp is waxy with resinous striations; the stone is brown, matching the shape of the fruit, approximately 3 mm long and 5 mm wide, and hard.Flowering occurs from May to June, and fruiting from July to October.
Distribution Area
It is distributed throughout China, except in Heilongjiang, Jilin, Inner Mongolia, and Xinjiang.