Shellac in leaves - discolored, dewaxed

Shellac is a natural resin of animal origin. Female lac insects enclose their brood in this natural resin. They live as parasites on certain shrubs in East India and Thailand, where the secretion of these insects coats the branches in thick layers to protect the brood. These resinous branches are harvested twice a year, during which the wood is separated from the raw material. Subsequent grinding and washing remove wood residues from the resin. This so-called stick lac contains, apart from dead insects, 60 – 80 % pure shellac and 4 – 6 % wax. Various grades are produced by cleaning and bleaching.

When using shellac flakes in solid form, you determine the desired consistency of the shellac yourself by dissolving it in methylated spirit.