What is Beeswax
Beeswax is a substance produced by female worker bees. Pure beeswax consists of about 300 different compounds, not all which have been identified and analyzed. Forty-eight of these compounds have been found to contribute to the sweet aroma.
Beeswax is produced by all species of honeybees. For each volume of wax produced, worker bees must eat eight times that amount in honey. The youngest bees produce the most wax. As the worker bees mature and take to the field to forage for nectar and pollen, their wax-making capabilities begin to diminish.
Bees produce wax by secreting it from specialized glands on their abdomens. The wax is colorless when first produced and it hardens into white flakes when exposed to the air. It takes about a million of these wax flakes to create one kilogram of beeswax. As the bees chew the wax and manipulate it for use in the hive they incidentally combine the wax with small amounts of bee pollen and propolis. This causes the wax gradually to become yellow. Over time, with further use, the wax becomes even darker.
How Bees Use Beeswax
Bees use the wax to build the elaborate hexagonal cells that make up their honeycomb. Bees use the comb cells for two main purposes, including:
(1) to store honey and pollen as food sources for the winter.
(2) as the nursery for their young. The queen lays her eggs in the comb cells and the young bees develop in these cells.
The hexagon is an amazingly strong and efficient structure. Mathematicians have demonstrated that it stores the most honey for each volume of wax, compared to other shapes like the square or triangle. By using the hexagonal shape, bees are able to use just 55 grams of wax to store a full kg (1000 grams) of honey.
One interesting side note to consider is that bees only live for a few weeks. This means that the worker bee spends its whole adult life producing wax that will be used to build a hive and preserve food that this particular bee will never live to enjoy. This seems like yet another lesson from the hive that we humans might consider.
Beeswax in History
In earlier times the most common use for beeswax was of course for candle making. The ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and Chinese, among others, all used it for candles. The early Catholic Church required that the candles used in religious ceremonies be 100% beeswax.
In addition to use in candle making, beeswax has also been put to use in other ways. The ancient Egyptians used beeswax for mummification of pharaohs. Persians used the wax to embalm their dead. Ancient Romans modeled death masks and life-size effigies from beeswax.
Beeswax was put to use in many types of art. The Indonesians and Chinese used beeswax in batik paintings. The Indians, Chinese, Egyptians and Romans all created statutes using the “lost wax” technique. Indeed, many of the world’s most famous statues were produced using this casting process.
Ancient Medical Uses
China’s most famous herbal medicine book, the Shennong Ben Cao Jing, from approximately 200 BC, recognized beeswax as an ingredient with significant medicinal benefits. Beeswax was praised for its beneficial influence on blood and energy systems and the overall balance of the body. Anti-aging properties were also attributed to beeswax. Combined with other ingredients it is applied on the skin for treating wounds and as a health food for dieting.
Beeswax was also used for medicinal purposes by the Egyptians, Iranians, Greeks, and Romans, among others.
Modern uses of beeswax
Beeswax has many modern uses in commerce and art. In addition to its continued use in candle making, it is used as an ingredient in furniture polish and floor wax, leather protectant, wax paper, modeling wax for various types of figurines, crayons, gum, candy, ink, and wax for skis and surfboards.
The formula for the figures at Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum is mostly beeswax.
Modern Uses for Health and Beauty
Topical Uses
Beeswax is a nutrient-rich substance that kills germs, moisturizes, and protects the skin. It softens skin and creates a long-lasting protective coating against the elements. It is non-comedogenic, meaning it does not clog pores. Beeswax may be applied to minor burns or other skin damage in order to help heal the skin. A 2005 study conducted at the Dubai Specialized Medical Center in the United Arab Emirates concluded that a blend of honey, beeswax, and olive oil (the blend used in most of our Honey Girl products) is useful in the treatment of eczema, psoriasis, and diaper rash.
In Cosmetics
Beeswax is a useful foundation for creating emulsified solutions, allowing creams, deodorants, hair conditioners, and lotions to stay blended without separating. Beeswax is the only natural substance with this specific set of characteristics, making it irreplaceable in the in the natural and organic cosmetics industry.
Beeswax also contributes to the luster and color consistency of lipsticks, and is found in rouge, eye shadow, and mascara.
Beeswax is yet another item on the list of amazing gifts from the beehive. It has many ancient and modern uses, and continues to be in great demand today. We use it extensively in our products at Honey Girl Organics.
