Beeswax is a powerful natural substance produced by bees. It has been used since the beginning of civilization! Books have been written about its uses and historians have discovered artifacts and sites showing the effectiveness of beeswax throughout history.
Beeswax is produced in a colony during growth phases of the season to ensure that there is plenty of storage and comb to raise brood. Beeswax is produced in a honey bee’s wax glands, that diminish their activity as bees age.
Here are some of our favorite uses for beeswax:
1. Reusable Food Wrap
Plastic wrap is not only bad for the environment, but also can be harmful to your health. Studies have found that certain chemicals in plastic can leach out of the plastic and into the food and beverages we eat.
Beeswax wrap is not only a lovely, non-toxic option to use, but it also saves you money because you can wash and re-use over again.
2. Beeswax Candles
Beeswax candles are healthy to burn in your home. Beeswax candles are hypo-allergenic, and can actually improve air quality! They burn with little to no smoke or scent and clean the air when lit. Beeswax candles are the most durable & long lasting candles you can own. You can even make your own candle using beeswax bar.
Beeswax also smells great when burned without any added chemicals or scents, as it’s naturally aromatic from the honey and flower nectar.
3. Skin & Body Care
Beeswax forms a light coating on the skin helping to hold in moisture. That is why beeswax is one of the most popular ingredients when it comes to skin and body care. Beeswax is also a natural exfoliator, ideal for sloughing away dead skin cells. By making beeswax into a lotion bar, it will work double-duty to keep your skin soft and hydrated. Beeswax is a common ingredient in lip balms and it’s ideal for chapped lips. What is more, in a small 2003 study, doctors point out that: “[It] showed that daily application of a mixture of bee’s wax, raw honey and olive oil to the skin of people with eczema or psoriasis resulted in significant improvement after two weeks.
Beeswax is also thought to have antifungal properties preventing the growth of yeasts and other fungi.
4. Furniture Polish
Beeswax furniture polish is a safe, natural, and effective way to bring new life to wood furniture. You can use it to polish finished furniture, to clean up damaged pieces, or as a stand-alone finish on unfinished wood. It is also great for cutting boards! You can make your own DIY furniture polish using just two ingredients: beeswax and mineral oil.
5. Shoe Waterproof
Beeswax has been used throughout history as a sealant and waterproofing agent for items like belts, tents and shoes
One of the often overlooked uses for beeswax is as a water-proofer. When this natural wax is rubbed onto the surface of materials such as leather and then heated, some of the wax works into the fibers of the materials.
Beeswax is not water soluble so it blocks moisture from being able to penetrate the shoe leather.
Beeswax contains a natural, powerful protective substance called propolis, which shields beeswax from ever going bad. You can always buy beeswax for your DIY products, as it is relatively cheap and easy to buy.
The most inexpensive way to purchase beeswax is from a beekeeper. They usually have raw beeswax for sale that has been cleaned and is ready to use.
A portion of every purchase at Bee Kind Shop is donated to non-profit organizations that help save bee colonies around the globe.
