What is Beeswax:
Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honeybees, primarily used to construct their honeycomb for storing honey and pollen, and as a nursery for larvae. It's secreted by worker bees from glands on their abdomen and is composed of various fatty acids, esters, alcohols, and other compounds.
How it is made :
Female worker bees convert the honey/ nectar into beeswax. Bees huddle together to increase the temperature in the hive to at least 33 C this enables the wax glands in their abdomen to convert the sugar from honey into beeswax which oozes through small pores to form scales on their abdomen in the IV to VII segements
Types of beeswax:
1. Virgin bees wax : extracted from uncapping wax (Natural wax )
2. Crude bees wax: extracted from the old used combs
3. White bees wax or bleached wax: Crude bees wax is further proceed and bleached
Difference between natural and white beeswax: The mixing pf polle oils into honeycomb wax turns the white wax secreted by bees into a yellow or brown color. It is called Natural bees wax. To remove the colour wax is belached, then it turns into white.
Benefits of beeswax:
Beeswax prevent infections, and help protect the stomach from ulcers caused by non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs
• Anal fissures (small tears in the lining of the anus). Early research shows that applying a mixture of beeswax, honey, and olive oil to the affected area for 12 hours reduces pain, bleeding, and itching due to anal fissures.
• Burns. Early research shows that applying a gauze with a mixture of beeswax, olive oil, and alkanna to second-degree burns speeds up healing and shortens the time spent in the hospital. Other early research shows that using a coconut oil and beeswax cream can decrease itching that occurs when a burn is healing.
• Diaper Rash: Early research shows that applying a mixture of beeswax, honey, and olive oil to the affected area four times daily for 7 days reduces symptoms of diaper rash.
• Hemornhoids: Early research shows that applying a mixture of beeswax, honey, and olive oil to the affected area for 12 hours reduces pain, bleeding, and itching due to hemorrhoids.
• Swelling and sores inside the mouth. Early research shows that applying a mixture of honey, olive oil-propolis extract, and beeswax to mouth sores caused by cancer treatment helps speed up recovery time in people with severe ulcers.
• Ringworm (Tinea corporis). Early research shows that applying a mixture of beeswax, honey, and olive oil to the affected area three times daily for 4 weeks improves ringworm.
• Jock itch (tinea cruris). Early research shows that applying a mixture of beeswax, honey, and olive oil to the affected area three times daily for 4 weeks improves jock itch.
• A common fungal infection of the skin Research shows that applying a mixture of beeswax, honey, and olive oil to the affected area three times daily for 4 weeks improves a fungal skin infection called tinea versicolor.
Uses of beeswax:
In foods and beverages, white beeswax is used as stiffening agents. Bees wax is for coating the fruits like apple orange pomegranate to increase the shelf life.
Yellow and white beeswax are used as thickeners, emulsifiers, and as stiffening agents in cosmetics. Beeswax absolute is used as a fragrance in soaps and perfumes. White beeswax and beeswax absolute are also used to polish pills.
Moisturizing Components: Beeswax locks in moisture and can help keep the skin firm and plump. The anti-allergenic and anti-inflammatory properties soothe easily irritated skin, making it one of the best skincare ingredients for healing rosacea or eczema.
1. Products that can be made:
2. Make all-natural lipstick
3. Make lip balm out of shea butter, beeswax and coconut oil
4. Soothe for bug bites with a solution of tea tree oil, lavender, beeswax, and calendula oil
5. Make body butter out of coconut oil, shea butter, and beeswax
6. Healing cream to Soften cracked skin on feet and cuts with a salve made of olive & coconut oils, beeswax, vitamin E and calendula, lavender, and chamomile
7. Nail protector, coat nails to prevent wood splintering
8. Gummy candies bees wax mix with sugar and fruit flavorings to make gummy candies
9. Wax cream to style your hair with a natural alternative to gels and pomades
10. Diaper cream to treat diaper rash with a solution of honey, olive oil, and beeswax
11. Face cream apply as an acne treatment.
12. Chewing tit bits for healthy teeth and gums
13. Waxyl to season cast iron pans and Lubricate door hinges
14. Coat garden tools to prevent rust
15. Shoe Polish with a solution of beeswax, olive oil and pigment
16. Wax candles Decorate your Christmas tree with molded wax ornaments
17. Bees Wax fragrance candles light made your dinner table with smokeless
18. Polish furniture with a solution of olive oil, beeswax, and lemon oil
Condition cutting boards and wooden spoons
19. Mix with pigments to make encaustic paint
20. Lubricate screws to make them easier to screw in
21. Make fire starters out of pinecones and beeswax
22. Bees wax keep bronze and brass items shiny
23. Tame flyaway hair
24. Fill cracks in wood
25. Rejuvenate old leather
26. Bees wax coat cloth to make reusable wrap for cheese and vegetables
27. Seal jars of preserves, jams and pickles
28. Polish granite countertops
29. Keep snow from sticking to snow shovels
30. Polish and preserve copper pots & pans
31. Make kid-safe, non-toxic modeling clay
32. Create solid perfumes using beeswax, almond oil, essential oils, and dried flowers
33. Make craft soaps out of olive, coconut, castor & palm oils, beeswax, honey, lye, and essential oils
34. Treat eczema and psoriasis with a solution of beeswax, honey and olive oil
35. Feet cream for pets, put on your pets’ feet to protect them from wear
36. Lubricate musical instrument strings and reeds
37. Make wooden drawers slide smoothly
38. Condition unfinished furniture
39. Waterproof polish for shoes and boots
40. Preserve cheese with a thin coating of beeswax
41. Beard cream soften and style beards and mustaches
42. Apply a coating to snowboards, skis and surfboards to improve their glide
43. Wax fly fishing line to boats help it float
44. Coat baking pans and cookie sheets to make them non-stick
45. Make crayons out of cocoa butter, carnauba wax, beeswax, and pigments
46. Wax thread to prevent tangles while sewing
Nutritional Facts:
Beeswax contain certain compounds that may have health benefits, like aiding in the prevention of infections and potentially lowering cholesterol. Bees wax is mainly composed of esters, hydrocarbons, and fatty acids, with small amounts of proteinbut it has no nutritional value as it doest contain any appreciable amounts of carbohydrates, vitamins or minerals.
Storage: Store your beeswax in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Heat and sunlight can soften and lose their proporties. The best way to store bees wax is in an area where the temperature stays consistent, ideally between 15-27°C.
Can it be used on skin directly ?
Yes it can be used on skin for better results add honey or coconut oil, but cleaning is very important bees wax closes skin pores, it is water proof, so wash carefully with oil based cleansers.
Why it is used in chocoltaes:
Beeswax can be incorporated into chocolate as an ingredient to influence texture, making it firmer or more stable. Beeswax is used in chocolate making for its water-resistant and glossy properties. It also acts as a food preservative,This protective layer helps prevent rapid melting and moisture loss, extending the shelf life of the chocolate.
Is beeswax good to chew:
Is beeswax good to chew beeswax is safe for human consumption, bees wax can treat it like chewing gum and then spit it out later albeit not something we can digest
Can beeswax be eaten ?
it can be safely consumed or applied to the skin as a lotion or balm. Beeswax is flammable, with a relatively low melting point
Why beeseax is better than other wx parafin and soy wax:
Since it is a natural byproduct of honey production, beeswax is biodegradable, non-toxic, and has minimal environmental impact. Key components are Esters, Fatty Acids, Hydrocarbons. Beeswax has a higher melting point (approximately 62–64°C) compared to paraffin (around 47–64°C), making beeswax more durable for applications requiring heat resistance, such as in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. consumption. There are no sooty messes and there is a steady flame that keeps the air around you clean. Plus, beeswax candles are generally drip-free
Parafin wax is extracted from petroleum, paraffin is non-renewable and contributes to fossil fuel composed with saturated Hydrocarbons. Paraffin wax’s lower melting point makes it suitable for everyday applications but less durable under high temperatures. Burning paraffin candles releases several airborne pollutants, including toluene and benzene, which are classified as hazardous. These emissions contribute to indoor air pollution and can negatively impact respiratory health.It is neither edible nor useful for sking applications.
Soy wax is also natural plant based wax soy wax has a lower melting point than other wax forms, would produce a lot of drippage in candles. It turns to liquid form rapidly, thereby causing potential issues with tablecloths and candle holders.
It does not hold color as well as other waxes, especially those made with paraffin. Because it is a natural candle wax, it has a shorter shelf life. Candles made with soy usually cost more because of it being a natural product that contains no harmful ingredients. If you or a family member suffers from allergies, this is a crucial consideration. Soy wax candles, which can be impure at times, have the potential to worsen allergies by releasing soot and other toxins into the air.
Why do honeybees make beeswax:
Honey bees secrets bees wax to build the hexagonal comb, which is used to rear their young ones and to store honey and pollen.
Special Precautions and Warnings
When taken by mouth: Beeswax is LIKELY SAFE for most people when taken by mouth as food or as a medicine. While rare, some people may have an allergic reaction to beeswax.
When applied to the skin: Beeswax is LIKELY SAFE for most people when applied directly to the skin. While rare, some people may have an allergic skin rash after applying beeswax.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: There isn't enough reliable information to know if beeswax is safe to use when pregnant or breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.
