https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varnish

There are a number of types of varnish!
Shellac originated from shell-lac, an emulsion from a type of insect!

"Shellac is a very widely used single-component resin varnish that is alcohol-soluble. It is not used for outdoor surfaces or where it will come into repeated contact with water, such as around a sink or bathtub. The source of shellac resin is a brittle or flaky secretion of the female lac insect, Kerria lacca, found in the forests of Assam and Thailand and harvested from the bark of the trees where she deposits it to provide a sticky hold on the trunk."

Shellac is the primary binder in india inks. (This name being a misnomer, a silk road era sourcing nomenclature of a product which originated from china. Known in other places as 'chinese ink.')

Non toxic india inks are colloquially considered safe to use for tattooing! Is it true? How many tattoos contain bugs resin?

Can you eat shellac?
You can eat most things if you try!
...but generally, it is not great to eat varnishes.

#ink #indiaink #shellac #lac #insect #tattoo #history