Beeswax: benefits and harms

The use of beeswax in alternative medicine and cosmetology is gaining popularity. What insects use as building material is a storehouse of valuable nutrients for humans. All waste products of bees are appreciated by man. Apitherapy has occupied its worthy niche in the market of medicinal preparations and services.

What is beeswax

Bee building material is a complex organic substance with its inherent smell, color, and consistency. Insects, as a result of passing through some vital processes, produce not only honey, pollen, “bee bread”, propolis, but also the composition from which honeycombs are subsequently built to collect and store honey collections.

What does beeswax look like

Visually, you can see that the substance is strong, and when pressed, hardness is felt. At the same time, beeswax is quite fragile and can be from white to all shades of yellow. Also, the greenish tone of the substance is not considered a defect, since this is explained by an excess of propolis.

The color scheme of the product may vary depending on the time of year. In summer it varies from light yellow to brown, in spring creamy shades predominate. It is worth noting that the colors of the substance differ depending on the location of the apiary and the diet of insects. If the substance melts under the influence of ultraviolet light, every day the product will look lighter.

If we analyze the chemical and thermal properties of the substance, it should be noted that wax does not dissolve in water and glycerin. Heated medical alcohol and essential oils, turpentine, paraffin compounds and other fatty substances are well suited for dissolving the product.

How is beeswax formed?

Wax production is a complex process. The life span of an insect is a month. Young individuals (up to 20 days old) form and excrete the product through the abdominal glands. The substance is a white flake, no larger than 0 mg. The material is ready for construction and the bees use it everywhere (combs, nurseries, storages). The beginning of the labor path begins from the 2th day of life. Young growth is actively saturated with nectar and pollen, accumulates reserves of enzymes in the body. Then the process goes to the last stage – the release of a valuable product through the glands.

During the season, the beekeeper can get up to two kg of wax from the hive, which has antibacterial properties. The production of honeycombs is fully justified, since honey does not undergo fermentation and the growth of mold fungi in them. Autumn honeycombs are of value to the beekeeper. The cells in them can be dark and even black. This is explained by the accumulation of residual substances and products of beekeeping.

How beekeepers get wax

Beekeepers use the fruits of the labor of insects, but so that the bees do not suffer, they use trimmings, broken combs, empty cells, and zabrus for processing. Several methods are used to obtain the substance.

1. Solar wax melter. This is how “drop wax” is obtained, obtained by the influence of sunlight on all possible waste.
2. Steam wax furnace. Remelting takes place under the action of a large amount of steam.
3. Water wax melter. In large volumes of water, the wax is boiled down to the desired state.
4. Solvent extraction.

Mostly beekeepers use the extraction of wax by means of steam, as the method allows you to get a minimum amount of waste.

Composition of beeswax

The biochemical structure of wax is under scientific study. So far, no one has succeeded in repeating his structure formula artificially.

Data on the structure are quite contradictory and ambiguous. According to one version, the bee product contains from 50 to 300 chemical elements, of which the most important are the following:

• esters – 70%;
• carbohydrate complexes (limiting) – up to 17%;
• fatty acids – up to 14%;
• water – up to 2%;
• pigments;
• pollen particles;
• aromatic inclusions;
• propolis.

Beeswax contains a rich composition of vitamins and minerals. After all the cleaning procedures, he loses almost all valuable inclusions.

What is beeswax used for?

The use of beeswax has a wide range. If you delve into history, the ancient Greeks made dolls from it, they opened writing boards, used it as corks to clog containers. Today, the use of the bee product is wider:

• substance for the manufacture of medicines;
• cosmetic lip balms;
• product for the production of soap;
• impregnation for leather products;
• verification of casting molds in ferrous metallurgy;
• production of thick sheets of paper;
• in electrical equipment;
• for the manufacture of varnishes and paints.

Before the advent of electricity, wax was a material for light sources and for this it was especially appreciated.

Benefits of beeswax

In medicine, beeswax is used in different directions:

• solution of dermatological problems (restores tissues, degreases, eliminates inflammatory processes, anesthetizes, saturates with moisture);
• otolaryngology – used for the treatment of bronchitis, runny nose, tracheitis, otitis media;
• in gynecology, they are widely used to eliminate the inflammatory process, treat pathologies in the reproductive organs;
• dentistry through wax cleanses the mouth of bacterial flora, smoothes inflammation, gum sensitivity, the remedy is effective for periodontitis, stomatitis, periodontal disease.

The bee product has a powerful bacteriological effect. With its help, inflammation, burns, ulcerative lesions are treated. For pathologies of the throat and oral cavity, the substance is recommended to be chewed. The product itself is endowed with properties to remove signs of poisoning, remove toxins, work more efficiently than activated charcoal, after chewing, the remains should be swallowed. This is how the normalization of intestinal functions occurs, the restoration of peristalsis, the balance of microflora is adjusted. Wax is an excellent remedy for dysbacteriosis.

Where to get beeswax

The bee component is sold in specialized stores, but before purchasing it is important to explain the purpose of the purchase. The cleaned plates are not intended for medicinal purposes, since during the manipulations they have lost useful components. Foundation made from pure wax is of value to beekeepers. They put it on frames, make blanks for the upcoming honey collection.

Also, yellow pieces can be bought on the market, but you should seriously approach the issue of choice. In order not to become the owner of a counterfeit, pay attention to the following details:

• natural product, homogeneous, has no additional inclusions;
• colors can offer white, light yellow, intense yellow, grayish, with a greenish tint;
• the aroma should be like that of honey, with a slight hint of propolis and herbs;
• with organoleptic, the piece is easily chewed, it does not stick on the teeth;
• the ingot usually looks like a circle of cheese, deepened towards the center;
• the place of the split of the bee component is dull with a granular texture;
• if rumpled in the hands, under the influence of body temperature, the wax softens, becomes plastic;
• does not leave greasy marks;
• when immersed in alcohol, it sinks.

Knowing the above features of the bee product, it is possible to avoid disappointment from unsuccessful purchases.

How to use beeswax in treatment

It is good to strengthen the barrier functions of the body with beeswax – this is an excellent means of preventing diseases. But if it was not possible to avoid diseases, the substance is effective in the treatment or can significantly alleviate the symptoms.

Treatment of joints with beeswax

It is not often that you meet a person who does not suffer from joints from time to time. Beeswax can be used to prepare homemade recipes that relieve symptoms:

1. Rheumatism. For cooking you will need: melted wax (50 g), which is combined with lanolin (120 g). The resulting ointment is applied to the plantain or burdock leaf, make a bandage. From above it is recommended to wrap with a warm cloth. Manipulation is performed for two weeks.
2. Arthritis. According to the recipe, they take: bee component (40 g), pine resin (20 g), pork fat (200 g), butter (40 g). All ingredients are mixed, simmer over moderate heat until smooth.

The healing properties of beeswax eliminate aching bones and joint pain. People who react acutely to changes in the weather can get rid of these symptoms.

The use of natural beeswax from corns and corns

Mixing with other components, beeswax forms therapeutic ointments. Calluses and calluses can significantly impair the quality of life.

For cooking, take wax, butter, cucumber juice or zucchini. The wax is melted, softened butter and vegetable juice are added. The resulting slurry is applied to the roughened place, put on a cotton sock. It is most effective to apply the product at night.

For cooking you will need: wax (15 g), propolis (50 g), juice from half a lemon. Balls are rolled from a mixture of substances, slightly pressed. The lozenge is applied to the affected area. Fix with plaster. In this state, it should be fixed for several days. After a sustained period, the limb is steamed in a solution of 2% soda. Calluses and corns disappear after one or two manipulations with the substance.

Wax treatment of sinusitis

Sinusitis is a serious disease that wax is able to cope with.

For treatment, the bee product is heated to a plastic state, cakes are molded from it. The resulting substance is applied to the nose, covered with a warm cloth on top (hold for half an hour). The course of therapy is long. In total, 15 manipulations should be done with repetitions every two days.

Treatment with beeswax for skin conditions

For the treatment of dermatological problems (boils, burns, wounds), a special ointment with a bee product is prepared, which is applied with light movements. For cooking you will need:

• vegetable fat (animal allowed) – 50 g;
• bee product – 15 g;
• half boiled yolk;
• essential oil (muscat, eucalyptus) and turpentine – 15 drops each;
• tea tree ether – 3 drops.

Algorithm of actions: all components are mixed, except for the yolk. Simmer, not bringing to 70 degrees for about 40 minutes, a quarter of an hour before the end of cooking, crushed yolk is added. The mixture is passed through a thick gauze. The range of application of the ointment is wide and is not limited to dermatological problems. The composition should be stored in the cold (+5 degrees).

For diseases of the ENT organs

For asthma and sinusitis, hay fever, it is recommended to chew zabrus (wax with honey) for treatment. The procedure is performed hourly for 15 minutes. This chewing gum strengthens the immune system and promotes faster recovery.

For diseases of the respiratory system

With pneumonia, bronchitis with a chronic course, colds, rubbing with an ointment based on a bee product helps well.

The ingredients included in the ointment can be replaced with more familiar ones. The main substance is the bee product – wax.

How to use honey with wax inside

Honey that is not completely pumped out of the honeycombs or hats cut off from wax, mixed with honey, is called zabrus. It is worth noting that this is a real delicacy that brings great benefits.

In order to strengthen the protective functions of the body, for the prevention of many common diseases, an adult is recommended to use 1 tablespoon of honey wax three times a day. The process of chewing the product should take a quarter of an hour.

By the same principle, they strengthen the immunity of children. They are given to chew bee zabrus at a dosage of 1 teaspoon three times a day.

The use of wax in cosmetology

The benefits of beeswax have been evaluated in cosmetology for the manufacture of glosses, lipsticks, hand creams, and hair care products. Homemade recipes can be actively used to restore freshness and elasticity to the skin, but the component is actively used on an industrial scale and sold from the shelves of household chemicals stores.

Since recently people have begun to focus more on natural natural compounds, the bee component has become more in demand.

What can be made from beeswax

Natural beeswax is a universal bee remedy. It is a source of youth and protection for the skin of the face and hands. For medical purposes, it is used to eliminate inflammatory processes, suppress the bacterial flora, and achieve a regenerating effect. In everyday life, the bee product has also found its application:

1. Fabric coloring technique – batik. The bee substance is distributed with a brush on fragments of fabric, which they want to protect from the influence of dyes.
2. If, after dacha work, the inventory is covered with a liquid product, it can be kept in exceptional condition without signs of rust until spring.
3. Applying wax to the fabric of a demi-season jacket and drying it with a hair dryer allows you to make the thing waterproof and warmer.
4. To prevent cracking of wood, woodworkers know the secret – the nail should first be dipped in a warm yellow bee product.
5. The substance is included in industrial furniture polishes.
6. For lovers of unusual decor, you can add romance and love to making a seal from beeswax to seal a postcard.
7. Shoes can be treated with bee substance, keeping a presentable appearance for a long time, and making it waterproof.
8. Plain paper coated with a natural composition can be used for kitchen needs.
9. With a little imagination, you can make unusual candles that exude a pleasant aroma of beeswax.

The substance does not leave greasy stains, it can be safely used for any purpose and not limited to apitherapy.

Противопоказания

Usually, even folk therapies, natural preparations and components have a whole list of contraindications. Wax is a rare exception. It cannot be used in only two cases:

1. Individual immunity to beeswax.
2. Allergic manifestations.

Terms and conditions of storage

The simplest of all bee products to store is wax. It does not create individual conditions. The only thing that matters is the humidity. Wherever it lies, the concentration of the smell does not decrease, the color and useful properties are preserved in full.

Features of storage of bee substance:

• do not place in places with high humidity;
• do not place the substance next to intensely smelling products;
• it is recommended to store in food paper or paper bags;
• subject to the requirements, the substance is stored without losing valuable qualities, up to 5 years.

Using the recommendations and following simple rules, you can use beeswax at home for a long time and fruitfully.

Conclusion

The use of beeswax within reasonable limits can permanently eliminate the need to visit a pharmacy. Bee families spend their short lives in constant labor. Everything that they produce and extract has a powerful positive effect on the human body. Centuries-old traditions of ancestors have taught us to appreciate all the fruits of the vital activity of insects. Beeswax is used in folk medicine, and doctors and adherents of conservative methods of treatment also appreciated its benefits.