Bacta / Legends Bacta was a synthetic chemical substance that consisted of gelatinous , translucent red alazhi and kavam bacterial particles that were mixed within a colorless , viscous fluid known as ambori . When a patient was exposed to bacta , the bacterial particles within sought out wounds and promoted rapid tissue regeneration while preventing the emergence of scar tissue . Bacta was often thought of as a " miracle fluid " , and seemed to be effective against almost every type of injury and ailment across an incredible cross - section of species throughout the galaxy . It was considered to be the best medicine available anywhere , replacing the previously - used kolto . Description . Bacta could be administered through disposable bacta patch es , through direct injection , consumption ( via bactade ) , through the application of a salve or out of a Bio - Bacta tank , or by submersion in a standard bacta tank . When bacta immersion was used , the patient would either be clothed in either just white shorts or a white sleeveless top and briefs depending on the person ' s gender . The method of administration depended on the severity of the wounds . It was imperative that bacta be applied in a solution of clear synthetic fluid which mimicked the body ' s own vital fluids . Bacta tanks came in two varieties : large tanks for installation in medical facilities , and portable collapsible tanks for emergency . Field tanks required patients to lie on their backs or stomachs while the bacta was run out and in again through filters . The taste and smell of bacta , is often described as ' sickly - sweet ' , or ' like - pineapple ' and reputedly stayed in the mouth and nasal cavity for weeks after immersion in a tank . The patch left a somewhat weaker - smelling residue . History . Bacta was invented by the Vratix on the planet Thyferra in antiquity , with the galaxy at large learning of its properties around 4100 BBY . The Vratix were willing to share the technology , but the substance could only be made on their homeworld where the needed resources were abundant . Struggles on Thyferra were often caused by disputes over control of bacta , often between the two main producers of bacta , the Zaltin Corporation and the Xucphra Corporation , or over the bacta the planet produced . Before its obsolescence , kolto was used along with bacta for medical treatments . Bacta later outsold kolto and eventually replaced it altogether . After the reorganization of the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars , the new Galactic Empire only allowed bacta to be produced on Thyferra , which was then stockpiled on Bespin . More than 6 months after the Battle of Yavin , the Empire ' s Moff Kohl Seerdon led an attack against Rebel Alliance ' s bacta supplies on Thyferra . The attack was thwarted by Rogue Squadron , and Seerdon was killed . At some point , Emperor Palpatine had the chemical sequence for bacta stored at his stronghold on Wayland with the possible intention being the development of a weapon designed to neutralize the properties of the compound . However , his scientists never developed a weapon and the sequence remained stored on Wayland . When the Yuuzhan Vong War gripped the galaxy , the Yuuzhan Vong conquered the planet Wayland where Shapers managed to analyze the bacta formula whereupon they created a virus that targeted the alazhi plant on a genetic level . This was in order to create a bio - weapon designed to kill anyone who was treated by bacta . However , their plans were thwarted by Klin - Fa Gi along with Uldir Lochett as well as his crew . During the Swarm War , the Killiks staged a coup against the Thyferran government , which cut off the Galactic Alliance ' s supply of bacta during the Battle of Tenupe , thus crippling the medical abilities of the Alliance . Potency . Bacta was often produced in various strengths and potencies based on many different factors . A batch ' s quality depended upon how the various ingredients were blended together , the site where the ingredients were produced , and the Vratix " vrachen " that oversaw the blending . As Thyferra was the source of almost all of the bacta in the galaxy while it was produced under the Imperial - backed duopoly of Xucphra and Zaltin , it was also the source of the strongest bacta . Such high - quality product was generally not exported ; if it was , it was sold at incredibly high prices . Export - quality bacta was , typically , nowhere near as effective , meaning that more grievous injuries required longer exposure in order to be properly treated and healed . Allergies . Ashern rebels once contaminated a portion of bacta . The contaminated bacta caused allergy to bacta in all that used it . Upon discovery of the contamination , Ysanne Isard had much of it funneled into the black market . Ton Phanan and Gil Bastra both possessed an allergy to bacta . Moff Tharil Tavira was also allergic , making his recovery from a stroke much more difficult . Behind the scenes . In terms of in - universe chronology , the earliest mention of bacta occurred in the " " . It was also mentioned ( later in galactic history ) in " " . However , the author , John Jackson Miller , admits that this may be a continuity error , and proposed a possible retcon , asserting that Marn Hierogryph was referring to some other thing coincidentally named bacta in the comic . The issue was resolved with a reference in " The Essential Atlas " to bacta ' s discovery about a century before the " " series . There is some controversy as to bacta ' s color . Many official sources have indicated that bacta is blueish in hue and pictures provided on LFL seem to strengthen this claim . Rumor has it that it only appeared clear in because of the lighting and camera angles . In the novelization of , it says that bacta was a thick red liquid . It is possible that rival producers added an artificial tint . Kolto tanks were the predecessor to bacta tanks , and of course were later replaced in favor of bacta , which explains the similarity in appearance between the two .