Beeswax is an awesome natural material with a wide variety of uses around the home and in personal care. Environmentally friendly and plastic free, it is an essential in your low waste kitchen and around your low tox home. Using beeswax in food wraps is a healthy and harmless alternative to plastic for storing food.

Did you know? When secreted by the bee, the pure beeswax is almost white; after contact with honey and pollen it assumes a more yellowish colour.

History of beeswax

The use of beeswax in medicine dates back to Ancient Egypt when beeswax was the main ingredient in many ointments and creams used to treat burns, wounds and joint pain. Hippocrates once recommended the use of beeswax in the treatment of tonsillitis. A greek physician, Galen, used beeswax in 150BC as a component in one of the first known cosmetic creams.

What are the Benefits of Beeswax?

Here are some of the key benefits of brilliant beeswax:

1. All natural

Beeswax is completely natural, straight from Mother Nature - it comes from the honeycomb of the honey bee after the bees consume pollen to produce the wax. Did you know? It takes around 4kg of honey to produce 500g of beeswax!

2. Antibacterial and antifungal

Beeswax is highly regarded for its antibacterial properties. Studies showed an antimicrobic effectiveness of beeswax against overall Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella enterica, Candida albicans and Aspergillus niger; these inhibitory effects are enhanced synergistically with other natural products such as honey or olive oil. The use of a mixture containing honey, beeswax and olive oil has also proved to be very effective for the treatment of atopic dermatitis, psoriasis and diaper dermatitis.

3. Edible

Beeswax is natural, non-toxic and safe if ingested which makes it an ideal ingredient in natural lipsticks and nourishing lip balms.

4. Burns better

Beeswax candles burn brighter and cleaner than other types of candles, emitting negative ions that are known to purify air. The natural aroma from honey and flower nectar also smells divine!

5. Waterproof

Beeswax has been used as a sealant for centuries - rubbing it onto fabric and then heating makes the wax seep into the fibres of the material to create a useful beeswax food wrap. Beeswax wraps are great for keeping unwanted moisture out of food and sealing natural moisture in.

6. Moisturising

Beeswax has a wonderful ability to lock in moisture, making it a great way to protect and restore dry skin and lips.

7. Stores well

Beeswax contains a natural protective substance called propolis, which prevents beeswax from ever going off. It is so effective that unspoiled beeswax has been found in ancient tombs! Bees make propolis by combining tree resin with wax flakes and pollen - it is used in nature by the bees to repair and strengthen the beehive.

Try some of our natural beeswax products today:

Beeswax wraps

Beeswax candles

Beeswax lip balm

Beeswax blocks

References

Fratini (2016); Beeswax: A minireview of its antimicrobial activity and its application in medicine