Lac was preferred rather than madder which fades on silk. After the introduction of the American cochineal, the use of lac in dyeing was decreased. By the beginning of the 19th century, the use of lac disappeared outside the Asian countries. In India , Thailand , Malaysia and Laos , the use of lac for dyeing silk has survived up to now. Silk material dyed with lac is very precious in these countries now, and gaining importance around the world. Around 1500 BC, lac was mentioned in one of the oldest kingdom texts of India Atharvaveda . Medicinal properties of the lac was highlighted there but, it was well known for its excellent dyeing properties for linen according to Panini (4th century BC), and in the book named Samyutta Nikkaya (3rd-2nd centuries BC).
