Beeswax – Its Healing Advantage

  • The pharmaceutical use of beeswax dates back to 1550 B. C. in ancient Egypt, and was commonly used as ointments and creams to treat burns, wounds, and soothe joint pain.
  • It contains anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. These qualities offer the perfect balance of nourishment to calm the skin, and keep it clean and bacteria-free while helping to heal wounds and fight infection.
  • Beeswax is known to reduce swelling and inflammation.
  • Beeswax contains vitamin A and may help with fine lines and wrinkles.
  • Beeswax is a humectant, which helps your skin retain its own moisture. It also seals and locks in moisture.

Example Healing Uses of Beeswax

  1. Chapped lips
  2. Eczema
  3. Acne
  4. Dry skin
  5. Fine skin lines & wrinkles
  6. Sensitive skin
  7. Get rid of flyaway hair
  8. Moisturizing hair
  9. Hide split-ends
  10. Soothe skin and scalp

Propolis (prop-uh-lis) – Not really Beeswax

Propolis is a natural resinous mixture produced by honey bees from substances collected from parts of plants, buds, and cone-bearing trees.  The word comes from the Greek where pro means “at the entrance to” and polis means “community or city”.

Bees will use propolis to modify the size of the hive entrance.  Changing the size of the entrance to just a few bee-size holes make it easily defendable.  It is also used to fill gaps in the hive in order to eliminate drafts, and acts  as a varnish for the interior and to strengthen the comb.

Some colonies can have a lot of propolis and some, well, not so much.  It is not known why there is this variation, although some believe it could be related to the climate.

Propolis is very sticky and can be difficult to remove from skin and clothes.  Using denatured alcohol will soften it enough to allow washing it off your skin before it dries.  Some kitchen cleaners will remove it, but it will take a little more “elbow grease”.  Removing it from clothes it more difficult, but using a tar or resin remover will make it easier.
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