Lacquer Tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum): Benefits, Dosage, Safety & Evidence

Questions fréquentes

How does lacquer tree work as an anticancer agent?

Lacquer tree's anticancer effects are attributed primarily to urushiol compounds and flavonoids such as fustin and fisetin. These bioactive constituents may induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in cancer cells, inhibit tumor cell proliferation, and suppress angiogenesis—the formation of new blood vessels that feed tumors. The herb's traditional use for resolving "blood stasis" and "abdominal masses" aligns with these proposed mechanisms. However, current evidence remains preliminary (Evidence Level C), and more rigorous clinical studies are needed to confirm these effects in humans.

Does lacquer tree interact with chemotherapy or other medications?

Lacquer tree may theoretically interact with chemotherapy drugs, immunosuppressants, and anticoagulant medications. Its effects on blood circulation and potential antiplatelet properties could increase bleeding risk when combined with blood thinners such as warfarin or aspirin. Immunomodulatory effects may alter the efficacy of immunosuppressive drugs. Patients undergoing cancer treatment should not use lacquer tree without oncologist approval, as interactions could compromise treatment outcomes or increase toxicity. Always disclose all supplements to your healthcare provider.

What is the safe dosage for lacquer tree supplements?

No standardized dosage exists for lacquer tree due to its highly allergenic nature. Only allergen-free, professionally processed extracts should ever be considered, and exclusively under qualified medical supervision. Traditional Korean medicine practitioners determine dosing based on individual patient factors, the condition being treated, and the specific processing method used to reduce urushiol content. Raw or unprocessed lacquer tree products should never be consumed internally. Self-medication with this herb is strongly discouraged due to serious safety concerns.

Is lacquer tree safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding?

Lacquer tree is contraindicated during pregnancy and breastfeeding and is classified as unsafe. Urushiol compounds can cause severe allergic reactions and may cross the placental barrier. The herb's effects on blood circulation and potential uterine stimulation pose risks to fetal development and pregnancy maintenance. Allergenic compounds may also pass into breast milk, potentially causing reactions in nursing infants. Women who are pregnant, planning pregnancy, or breastfeeding should avoid all forms of lacquer tree preparations entirely.

What are the side effects of lacquer tree?

The primary side effect is severe contact dermatitis caused by urushiol—the same allergen found in poison ivy. Raw or unprocessed sap causes blistering skin rashes in most individuals who contact it. Internal use of processed extracts may cause gastrointestinal upset, nausea, and systemic allergic reactions in sensitive individuals. Anaphylaxis is possible in severely allergic people. Those with known urushiol sensitivity should avoid this herb entirely. Only properly processed, allergen-reduced preparations under professional guidance should be considered for therapeutic use.

Fiche d'information compilée à partir de PubMed

Cette fiche a été compilée à partir de résumés PubMed (NIH) avec l'assistance d'une IA. Chaque affirmation factuelle est citée par un article PubMed réel (voir la liste des sources). Elle n'a pas encore été révisée par un humain — confirmez auprès d'un professionnel de santé avant utilisation.

Compilé à partir de 29 articles PubMed · modèle : gemma4:31b

Résumé

Toxicodendron vernicifluum is an economically and medicinally important tree species native to East Asia, utilized for producing durable lacquer and as a traditional herbal medicine [PMID:33075438, PMID:32071921].

Contexte

The lacquer tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum), also known as sumac or 'Qishu', is a shrub or arbor species within the Anacardiaceae family widely distributed in East Asia [PMID:32491789, PMID:35687836, PMID:36336220]. It is primarily cultivated for the production of raw lacquer, lacquer wax, and lacquer oil [PMID:41515066, PMID:36721120].

Usages traditionnels

It has been used for thousands of years in China, Japan, and South Korea as a durable coating material and a traditional herbal medicine [PMID:33075438]. Traditionally, the leaves, flowers, roots, and fruits are used in medicine, and the bark is used as a food supplement and to treat inflammatory diseases and cancers [PMID:36336220, PMID:38417325, PMID:25582488]. In Nujiang, China, lacquer oil from the drupes is used as an edible oil and for the treatment of 'Yuezi' disease in parturient women [PMID:35770099].

Composés actifs

The plant is rich in flavonoids (including fustin, fisetin, and verniciflavanol A) and phenylpropanoids [PMID:33152052, PMID:35733792, PMID:36341855, PMID:39344354]. It contains urushiols, which are the primary components of its lacquer [PMID:38417325, PMID:30363051]. Other identified compounds include vernicidin B and various flavonoid glycosides [PMID:35306369, PMID:35687836].

Mécanisme d'action

Vernicidin B protects cells against oxidative stress by inhibiting the IL-6/Nrf2 cross-talk pathways [PMID:35306369]. Raw lacquer extract may inhibit colorectal cancer cell activity by affecting the expression of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand, death receptor-5, cleaved caspase-8, and the p-mTOR/mTOR and p-S6K/S6K pathways [PMID:36511604].

Preuves cliniques

Preuve DMammary Carcinoma (Murine)

Oral administration of urushiol-free extract (TVSE) reduced tumor volume and weight dose-dependently and increased apoptotic cells [PMID:33152052]

Preuve DColorectal Cancer (In vitro)

Raw lacquer extract, especially in combination with ONC201, enhances inhibitory effects on HCT116 cell activity, survival, and proliferation [PMID:36511604]

Preuve DCoronavirus Replication (In vitro)

Ethanol extract (TVE) shows antiviral effects by inhibiting coronavirus replication and viral infectivity [PMID:42270443]

Preuve DOxidative Stress (In vitro)

Verniciflavanol A and Vernicidin B protect human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells against H2O2-induced oxidative stress [PMID:36341855, PMID:35306369]

Preuve DMyocardial Fibrosis (In vitro)

Compounds extracted from T. vernicifluum resins were screened for anti-fibrotic activity using a 3D myocardial tissue model [PMID:40654352]

Sécurité et effets indésirables

Urushiols present in the bark and lacquer induce allergies, which limits the application of the plant [PMID:38417325]. However, acute and subchronic toxicity studies in rats using lacquer seed oil (LSO) at doses up to 10,000 mg/kg (acute) and 5,000 mg/kg/day (subchronic) were conducted to evaluate safety [PMID:36336220].

Grossesse et allaitement

In Nujiang, China, lacquer oil is traditionally believed to benefit parturient women and treat 'Yuezi' disease [PMID:35770099].

Synthèse des preuves

The current evidence is primarily based on in vitro cell studies and animal models (Level D), with some pharmacological reviews (Level C). There is a lack of human clinical trials (Level B) or systematic reviews/meta-analyses (Level A) in the provided data.

Sources PubMed

1.PMID: 32491789 (2026) — Artificial urushi. · Chemistry (Weinheim an der Bergstrasse, Germany)
2.PMID: 30738956 (2019) — N-glycans in Toxicodendron vernicifluum lacquer laccase. · Carbohydrate research
3.PMID: 35951616 (2022) — Methods to promote seed germination in the lacquer tree, Toxicodendron vernicifluum (Stokes) F.A. Barkley. · PloS one
4.PMID: 33467697 (2021) — HPLC and ToF‒SIMS Analyses of Toxicodendron vernicifluum Tree Sap Mixed with Other Natural Lacquers. · Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
5.PMID: 32071921 (2020) — Complete Chloroplast Genome Sequence of Chinese Lacquer Tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum, Anacardiaceae) and Its Phylogenetic Significance. · BioMed research international

Lacquer Tree

Sources et citations

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