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The use of beeswax in alternative medicine and cosmetology is gaining popularity. The fact that insects use as a building material is a storehouse of valuable nutrients for humans. All waste products of bees are appreciated by humans. Apitherapy has taken its worthy niche in the market of medicinal products and services.
What is beeswax
Bee building material is a complex organic substance with an inherent smell, color, consistency. As a result of the passage of some vital processes, insects produce not only honey, pollen, "bee bread", propolis, but also a composition from which cells are subsequently built for collecting and storing honey harvests.
What beeswax looks like
Visually, you can see that the substance is strong, and when pressed, they feel hard. 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 season. In summer, it varies from light yellow to brown, and in spring, cream shades prevail. 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, the product will look lighter every day.
If you analyze the chemical and thermal properties of a substance, it should be noted that wax does not dissolve in water and glycerin. Heated medical alcohol and essential oils, turpentine, paraffinic compounds and other fatty substances are well suited for dissolving the product.
How beeswax is formed
Wax production is a complex process. The insect's life span is a month. Young individuals (up to 20 days old) form and excrete the product through the abdominal glands. The substance is white flakes, no more than 0.2 mg in size. The material is ready for construction and bees use it everywhere (honeycomb, nursery, storage). The beginning of the work path begins from the 11th day of life. Young animals are actively saturated with nectar and pollen, accumulate reserves of enzymes in the body. Further, the process passes 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 quite justified, since honey in them does not undergo fermentation and the growth of molds. Autumn combs are of value to the beekeeper. The cells in them can be dark or even black. This is explained by the accumulation of residual substances and beekeeping products.
How beekeepers get wax
Beekeepers use the fruits of the labors of insects, but so that the bees do not suffer, they use trimmings, broken honeycombs, empty cells, and a bar for processing. Several methods are used to obtain the substance.
- Solar wax refinery. This is how the "kapan wax" is obtained, which is obtained by the influence of the sun's rays on all possible waste.
- Steam wax melter. Remelting takes place under the influence of a large amount of steam.
- Water wax melter. In large volumes of water, the wax is boiled down to the required state.
- Extraction with solvents.
Mostly, beekeepers use the extraction of wax by means of steam, since the method allows you to get a minimum amount of waste.
Beeswax composition
The biochemical structure of wax is at the stage of scientific study. So far, no one has succeeded in repeating its structure formula by artificial means.
The data on the structure are rather contradictory and ambiguous. According to one version, a bee product contains from 50 to 300 chemical elements, of which the following are more important:
- 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 cleaning procedures, he loses almost all valuable inclusions.
What is beeswax used for?
Beeswax has a wide range of uses. If you go deeper into history, the ancient Greeks made dolls from it, they opened boards for writing, and used it as corks to seal containers. Today, the use of the beekeeping product is wider:
- substance for the manufacture of medicines;
- cosmetic lip balms;
- a product for the production of soap;
- impregnation for leather products;
- checking molds for casting in ferrous metallurgy;
- making 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.
Why is beeswax useful?
In medicine, beeswax is used in different directions:
- solution of dermatological problems (restores tissues, degreases, eliminates inflammatory processes, relieves pain, saturates with moisture);
- otolaryngology - used for the treatment of bronchitis, runny nose, tracheitis, otitis media;
- in gynecology, it is widely used to eliminate the inflammatory process, treat pathologies in the reproductive organs;
- dentistry by means of wax cleans the mouth of bacterial flora, smoothes inflammation, sensitivity of the gums, the remedy is effective for periodontitis, stomatitis, periodontitis.
The bee product has a powerful bacteriological effect. With its help, inflammation, burns, ulcerative foci 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 carbon, after chewing, the remains should be swallowed. This is the normalization of intestinal functions, restoration of peristalsis, and the balance of microflora is adjusted. Wax is an excellent remedy for dysbiosis.
Where to get beeswax
The bee component is sold in specialized stores, but it is important to explain the purpose of the purchase before purchasing. The cleaned plates are not intended for medicinal purposes, since during the manipulations they have lost their useful components. The foundation made from pure wax is of value to beekeepers. They put it on the frames, make preparations for the upcoming honey collection.
You can also buy yellow pieces on the market, but you should seriously approach the issue of choice.In order not to become the owner of a counterfeit product, pay attention to the following details:
- natural product, homogeneous, does not have additional inclusions;
- colors can be offered in white, light yellow, intense yellow, grayish, with a greenish tint;
- the aroma should be like honey, with a slight touch of propolis and herbs;
- with organoleptic properties, the piece is easily chewed, it does not stick to the teeth;
- the ingot usually resembles a circle of cheese, deepened towards the center;
- the place of the split of the bee component is matte with a grainy texture;
- if crumpled in hands, under the influence of body temperature the wax softens, becomes plastic;
- does not leave greasy marks;
- when immersed in alcohol, it drowns.
Knowing the above listed features of a bee product, you can avoid disappointment from unsuccessful purchases.
How to use beeswax for 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 treatment or can significantly alleviate the symptoms.
Joint treatment with beeswax
It is not often that you meet a person who does not bother with joints from time to time. Beeswax can be used to make homemade symptom relief recipes:
- Rheumatism. For preparation 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, and a bandage is made. It is recommended to wrap the top with a warm cloth. The manipulation is performed for two weeks.
- Arthritis. According to the recipe, take: bee component (40 g), pine resin (20 g), pork fat (200 g), butter (40 g). All ingredients are mixed, simmered over moderate heat until smooth.
The healing properties of beeswax eliminate bone aches and joint pain. People who are acutely responsive to changes in the weather can relieve these symptoms.
The use of natural beeswax for calluses and corns
Mixing with other components, beeswax forms medicinal ointments. Corns and calluses can significantly worsen the quality of life.
For cooking, take wax, butter, cucumber or zucchini juice. The wax is melted, softened butter and vegetable juice are added. The resulting gruel is applied to a hardened place, put on a cotton sock. It is most effective when applied overnight.
For preparation 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 cake is applied to the affected area. Fix with a plaster. In this state, it should be fixed for several days. After the aging period, the limb is steamed in a solution of 2% soda. Calluses and calluses disappear after one or two manipulations with the substance.
Treatment with sinusitis wax
Sinusitis is a serious condition that wax can deal 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 (kept for half an hour). The course of therapy is long. In total, 15 manipulations with repetitions should be done every two days.
Treatment of skin pathologies with beeswax
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 fat is allowed) - 50 g;
- bee product - 15 g;
- half a boiled yolk;
- essential oil (nutmeg, eucalyptus) and turpentine - 15 drops each;
- tea tree ether - 3 drops.
Algorithm of actions: all components are mixed, excluding the yolk.They languish, not bringing it to 70 degrees for about 40 minutes, a quarter of an hour before the end of cooking, add crushed yolk. The mixture is passed through thick gauze. The range of application of the ointment is wide and is not limited to dermatological problems. Store the composition in the cold (+5 degrees).
With diseases of the ENT organs
For asthma and sinusitis, hay fever, it is recommended to chew a capping (wax with honey) for treatment. The procedure is performed every hour for 15 minutes. This chewing gum strengthens the immune system and promotes faster recovery.
Respiratory diseases
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 remains the bee product - wax.
How to use honey with wax inside
Honey not completely pumped out of the honeycomb or caps cut off from the foundation, mixed with honey, is called a cap. 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 consume 1 tablespoon of honey wax three times a day. The chewing process of the product should take a quarter of an hour.
By the same principle, they strengthen the immunity of children. They are allowed to chew a bee bar 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 gloss, 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.
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 versatile 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:
- The technique of painting fabrics is batik. The bee substance is spread with a brush on the fragments of tissue, which they want to protect from the influence of dyes.
- If, after summer cottage work, the inventory is covered with a liquid product, it can be kept in exceptional condition until spring without signs of rust.
- Applying wax to the fabric of a demi-season jacket and drying with a hairdryer makes the item waterproof and warmer.
- To exclude wood cracking, woodworkers know the secret - the nail should first be dipped in a warm yellow bee product.
- The substance is included in industrial furniture polishes.
- For lovers of unusual decor, you can add romance and love to the production of beeswax seal for postcard clogging.
- Bee substance can be used to treat shoes, keeping them presentable for a long time and making them waterproof.
- Plain paper coated with a natural compound can be used for kitchen purposes.
- With a little imagination, you can make unusual candles that exude a pleasant scent of beeswax.
The substance does not leave greasy stains, it can be safely used for any purpose and is not limited to apitherapy.
Contraindications
Usually, even traditional methods of therapy, natural preparations and components have a whole list of contraindications. Wax is a rare exception. It cannot be used in only two cases:
- Individual immunity to beeswax.
- Allergic manifestations.
Terms and conditions of storage
The simplest of all bee waste products to store is wax. Individual conditions are not created for him. Only air humidity is important. Wherever it lies, the concentration of the smell does not decrease, the color and useful properties are preserved in full.
Features of bee substance storage:
- 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;
- if the requirements are met, the substance is preserved without losing valuable qualities for up to 5 years.
Using the recommendations and observing simple rules, you can use beeswax at home for a long time and fruitfully.
Conclusion
Reasonable use of beeswax can permanently eliminate the need to visit the pharmacy. Bee colonies spend their short lives in constant labor. Everything they produce and extract has a powerful positive effect on the human body. The centuries-old traditions of our ancestors taught us to value all the fruits of the life of insects. Beeswax is used in folk medicine, and its benefits were also appreciated by doctors and adherents of conservative methods of treatment.
