Living things on Earth, especially bees, are capable of building the most wonderful structures. Take the honeycomb as an example. What’s even more surprising is when such a structure produces something that provides many uses and benefits for everyday life – beeswax comes into play.
This amazing substance comes from worker bees (females) and hives, and is often used to lower cholesterol and relieve pain.
It is also used to treat swelling and inflammation, and of course, it also helps produce different forms of honey, including the highly beneficial Manuka honey. This is not surprising since it is another bee byproduct, but bee pollen is also beneficial.
So what is natural beeswax, and what does it do to promote health? Let’s take a look at the top benefits and uses of this natural product.
What is beeswax?
Beeswax is the basis of the beehive. Bees build their combs from beeswax and fill the geometry of the hexagonal cells with honey and honeycomb.
The worker bee then secretes wax from eight special wax glands on the underside of the abdomen. The wax oozes out in liquid form but quickly cools and solidifies.
Worker bees use their legs to collect wax from their abdomens. She chews the wax until it becomes pliable and shapes it into the hexagonal cells that make up the honeycomb.
Bees are very important to our health and overall survival. Did you know that we rely on bees for nearly a third of our food supply?
We also benefit greatly from all the fibers, spices and medicines obtained from the plants they pollinate. This creates a huge appreciation in our bees and the list goes on.
Bees don't just impact our food and medicines. Bees are linked to several key issues for human and environmental health, including biodiversity, food security, nutrition and sustainable land use. A world without bees is impossible, as bee health is a crucial step in permaculture.
Using beeswax is nothing new. It has been used in medicine for thousands of years.
A unique discovery is its use as a dental filling. Evidence of prehistoric dentistry has been found dating back to the Neolithic Age, with reports of a 6,500-year-old human mandible from Slovenia whose left canine crown showed signs of filling with beeswax.
While we don't know all the facts, it is thought that if the filling was performed while the person was still alive, the intervention was most likely intended to relieve tooth sensitivity caused by exposed dentin and/or the pain of chewing on a cracked tooth. causing pain. tooth. This is fascinating because it will provide the earliest known direct evidence of palliative dental filling treatments.
Beeswax Benefits/Uses
1. Treat diaper dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema
Beeswax is an excellent choice for many skin conditions. A mixture of honey, beeswax, and olive oil is effective in treating diaper dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema.
Studies have concluded that honey and honey mixtures can inhibit the growth of bacteria that can affect the skin and cause skin conditions.
2. Moisturize skin
Natural beeswax is an amazing way to moisturize the skin and is commonly found in skin care products and cosmetics. It can help protect and repair rough, dry, or chapped skin because of its ability to lock in moisture.
Rich in vitamin A, this wax has emollient properties that soften and hydrate the skin and aid in the healthy development of cell renewal. Another benefit is that because it's non-comedogenic, it won't clog pores.
In addition to being a natural moisturizer for dry skin, you can use it daily at home to help prevent dry skin. Simply mix beeswax with almond or jojoba oil, a few drops of vitamin E oil, and aloe vera to create a homemade remedy for dry skin.
3. Protect the liver
A 2013 study investigated whether alcohols found in honeycomb and their antioxidant effects could help protect the liver.
Researchers conducted the study using a beeswax-alcohol mixture to evaluate its safety and effectiveness in patients with fatty liver disease. The study lasted 24 weeks and found it helped normalize liver function and improve fatty liver symptoms.
4. Helps balance cholesterol levels
Research shows that long-chain fatty alcohols extracted from plant waxes can lower cholesterol in humans.
Research results suggest that wax esters or fatty acids and alcohols in unrefined grains, beeswax, and many plant foods produce nutritional or regulatory effects that help lower LDL cholesterol.
5. Relieves pain and fights inflammation
As a medicine, beeswax has been studied to relieve pain and inflammation and was found to have mild anti-swelling effects.
A 2014 study reported that it was used to help relieve inflammation caused by osteoarthritis. All randomized patients completed the study, and 23 experienced reductions in pain, joint stiffness, and physical function. These reductions were significant from week 2 onwards and strengthened during the trial.
6. Help clear acne
Beeswax is one of the most well-known home remedies for acne. Studies show that it has strong antiseptic, healing and anti-inflammatory properties and is effective in treating acne, especially because it contains vitamin A.
It is also an excellent skin softener and emollient, helping to maintain smooth skin texture after acne is eliminated. A combination of skin care, a healthy diet, and daily exercise are the best ways to control and prevent acne.
7. Treat dry, chapped lips
The natural moisturizing ingredients in beeswax make it the perfect lip balm. If you have cracked or dry lips, topical application of natural beeswax and a few other ingredients you may already have at home can provide some much-needed relief.
It's easy to make your own lip balm by combining coconut or olive oil, honey, vitamin E oil, and your favorite essential oil.
8. Reduce stretch marks
Stretch marks can embarrass you and keep you from wearing some of your favorite summer fashions, so if you're wondering how to get rid of them, you might want to try beeswax.
Thanks to its ability to protect the skin and lock in moisture, it can have a positive impact on those unsightly marks.
A study conducted by the Institute of Dermatology and Skin Biology, Yonsei University College of Medicine in South Korea showed that stretch marks are dermal atrophic scars due to a reduction in collagen and thinning of the epidermis and elastic fibers.
Research shows that collagen is a major extracellular matrix component that is important for wound healing. Since beeswax contains vitamin A, it helps in the production of collagen, which is very helpful in reducing stretch marks.
Mix together beeswax, royal jelly, shea or cocoa butter, grapeseed oil, and coconut oil, and you have a natural home remedy for preventing and treating stretch marks while helping to boost collagen levels.
9. Helps treat jock itch and fungal skin infections
Jock itch and fungal skin infections can be really annoying, but they can be treated with beeswax. Because it has anti-inflammatory properties, it can help relieve pain associated with jock itch and fungal skin infections, while providing moisturizing benefits to help reduce itching.
Applying a mixture of beeswax, honey, and olive oil to the affected area three times a day for four weeks may help improve jock itch and fungal skin infections.
10. Relieves stress and promotes relaxation
When you think of beeswax, beeswax candles usually come to mind. This is a good thing because candles made from paraffin wax can be hazardous to the health of you and your family by inhaling the soot produced by the wax. Additionally, it can cause serious damage to the interior of your home, such as your computers, appliances, and plumbing systems.
Instead, opt for these all-natural candles, which are great for relieving stress. If making your own candles, you'll want to check the label to make sure you're getting organic, pure beeswax, so it's non-toxic. If you plan to make multiple candles, you can order pure beeswax in bulk by the pound.
If you are buying ready-made beeswax candles, choosing a 100% beeswax candle with a cotton wick is your absolute best choice.
In addition to the above benefits and uses, honey and beeswax have a few other uses.
Beeswax colors vary, and there are three main beeswax products: yellow beeswax, white beeswax, and beeswax absolute.
Beeswax is a crude product obtained from honeycombs, unfiltered, and has a natural color. White beeswax is made from beeswax that has been bleached, and beeswax absolute is made from beeswax that has been treated with alcohol.
It is usually purchased in the form of granules or lozenges, which are a dark golden color and can be purchased in bulk by the pound. Each beeswax has an average size of three millimeters and sometimes has a smoky aroma.
Beeswax for hair is one of the most common tools used by those who want to grow dreadlocks because it helps hold the hair firmly in place while moisturizing it without a greasy look or feel.
If you are using it for food preparation, the easiest way to use it is to place it in the refrigerator for a few hours and then grate it.
White beeswax and beeswax absolute are used as hardeners in many foods and beverages. During the manufacturing process, yellow and white beeswax are used as thickeners, emulsifiers, and hardeners in cosmetics.
However, pure beeswax is most commonly used to make topical salves and moisturizers.
Beeswax absolute is commonly used as a fragrance in soaps and perfumes. White beeswax and beeswax absolute are also used in polishing pills.
Yellow beeswax is our favorite form because of its natural, pure state. In any case, make sure to check the ingredients and directions before using any form of the product and do not use it if you have allergies that may be related.
recipe
There are many ways to use this bee product, including recipes such as:
- Homemade Beeswax Lotion
- Homemade Probiotic Deodorant
- Homemade Lavender Mint Lip Balm
- Homemade Frankincense and Myrrh Lotion
Risks and Side Effects
Beeswax is considered safe when taken orally in small amounts, but large amounts should not be consumed as it can cause digestive problems. It is possible to be allergic to beeswax, which can cause rash, redness, itching, and swelling.
Beeswax is considered safe when applied topically, but some people may be sensitive to it and even experience allergic symptoms. If you notice rash or redness after using beeswax or products containing beeswax, stop use immediately.
Always consult your doctor before using it in any form, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.
in conclusion
- We rely on bees for nearly a third of our food supply. We also benefit greatly from all the fibers, spices and medicines obtained from the plants they pollinate.
- Using beeswax is nothing new. There is evidence that it was used in prehistoric dentistry, but it is increasingly popular as a pure ingredient for skin, hair, and more.
- Pure or filtered beeswax is used to treat diaper dermatitis, psoriasis, and eczema; moisturize the skin; protect the liver; lower cholesterol levels; relieve pain; reduce inflammation; promote relaxation; and more.
- Beeswax can be purchased in pellets or even in bulk by the pound for making your own recipes at home. You can also purchase topical products or candles made from beeswax.
