It’s simply beautiful how earth’s creatures, specifically bees, can make the most wonderful structures. Take, for instance, the honeycomb. It’s even more amazing when such a structure produces something that provides many uses and benefits for everyday life. Enter beeswax.
This amazing substance comes from worker honeybees — the females — and the honeycomb, and it’s commonly used for lowering cholesterol and relieving pain. It’s also used for swelling and inflammation, and of course, it helps produce different forms of raw honey, including the highly beneficial Manuka honey.
This shouldn’t come as a surprise, seeing as another bee byproduct — bee pollen — is so beneficial. So what else can beeswax do? Let’s take a look at this natural product’s biggest benefits and uses.
Beeswax Benefits & Uses
- Treats Diaper Dermatitis, Psoriasis and Eczema
Beeswax is a great choice for many skin conditions. A honey, beeswax and olive oil mixture is useful in the treatment of diaper dermatitis, psoriasis and eczema. A study conducted by the Dubai Specialized Medical Center and Medical Research Labs Islamic Establishment for Education was designed to investigate the effects of these three substances and the mixture on growth of Staphylococcus aureus and candida albicans isolated from human specimens.
The study conducted two experiments: one where a honey mixture was poured on holes made on plates seeded with Staphylococcus aureus or candida and two where the microorganisms were cultured onto media made of the honey mixture alone, nutrient agar-honey mixture and Sabouraud glucose agar-honey mixture. Ultimately, the study concluded that honey and the honey mixtures could inhibit growth of bacteria that may affect the skin and cause skin conditions.
- Moisturizes Skin
Beeswax is an amazing way to moisturize the skin and is commonly found in skin care products and cosmetics. It can help protect and repair rough, dry or chapped skin because it has the ability to lock in moisture.
In the book “How to Use Beeswax and Honey to Cure Skin Problems,” author Gene Ashburner explains that this wax has rich vitamin A content and emollient properties, which soften and rehydrate the skin as well as aiding in the healthy development of cellular reconstruction. Another benefit to its use is that because it is comedogenic, it won’t clog pores.
In addition to being a natural moisturizer that treats dry skin, you can use it daily to help prevent dry skin in the first place. Just combine beeswax with almond oil or jojoba oil, a few drops of vitamin E oil and aloe to prepare a homemade remedy for dry skin.
- Protects the Liver
In 2013, the Korean Journal of Internal Medicine published a study that investigated the alcohols found in honeycomb and if their antioxidant effects helped protect the liver. Researchers conducted the study using a mixture of beeswax alcohol to evaluate the safety and effectiveness in people with fatty liver disease. The study was conducted for a period of 24 weeks, finding that it helped normalize liver function and improve symptoms of fatty liver.
- Lowers Cholesterol Levels
Research reports that very long-chain fatty alcohols obtained from plant waxes have been reported to lower cholesterol in humans. The nutritional or regulatory effects produced by wax esters or aliphatic acids and alcohols found in unrefined cereal grains, beeswax and many plant-derived foods lower low-density lipoprotein (“bad”) cholesterol by 21 percent to 29 percent and raise high-density lipoprotein (“good”) cholesterol by 8 percent to 15 percent.
- Relieves Pain and Is Anti-Inflammatory
As medicine, beeswax has been studied in the use of relieving pain and inflammation and has mild anti-swelling effects. A 2014 study published in the Korean Journal of Internal Medicine reports that it was used to helped relieve inflammation caused by osteoarthritis. All randomized patients completed the study, and 23 experienced a reduction in pain, joint stiffness and physical function. These reductions were significant beginning in the second week and became enhanced during the trial.
- Clears Acne
Beeswax is one of the most well-known home remedies for acne. It has strong antiseptic, healing and anti-inflammatory properties, making it effective in the treatment of acne, in particular because it contains vitamin A.
It’s also an excellent skin softener and emollient that helps maintain a smooth skin texture after acne elimination. The combination of skin care applications, a healthy diet and daily exercise is the best way to control and prevent acne.
- Heals Dry, Cracked Lips
The natural moisturizers in beeswax make it the perfect lip balm. If you suffer from cracked or chapped lips, topical applications of beeswax and a few other ingredients can provide some much-needed relief. It’s easy to make your own lip balm by combining it with coconut oil, honey, vitamin E oil, and your favorite essential oils, such as orange, peppermint, lavender or lemon.
- Reduces Stretch Marks
Stretch marks can be embarrassing and prevent you from wearing some of your favorite summer fashions, so if you’re wondering how to get rid of stretch marks, you may want to try beeswax. Due to its ability to protect the skin and retain water, it can have positive effects on those unsightly marks.
A study conducted by the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Biology Research Institute at Yonsei University College of Medicine in Korea reports that stretch marks are dermal atrophic scars with epidermal thinning due to decreased collagen and elastic fiber. The study suggests that collagen is a major extracellular matrix component that’s very important in wound healing. Since beeswax contains vitamin A, which is helpful in collagen production, it can greatly benefit the reduction of stretch marks.
By combining beeswax, royal jelly, shea or cocoa butter, grapeseed oil, and coconut oil, you have a natural remedy for preventing and treating stretch marks while helping improve collagen levels simultaneously.
- Treats Jock Itch and Fungal Skin Infections
Jock itch and fungal skin infections are definitely annoying, but they can be treated using beeswax. Because it’s anti-inflammatory, it can help reduce the pain associated with jock itch and fungal skin infections while provide moisturizing benefits to help reduce the itching.
Early research suggests that applying a mixture of beeswax, honey and olive oil to the affected area three times daily for four weeks can help improve jock itch and fungal skin infections greatly.
- Relieves Stress and Promotes Relaxation
It’s common to think of beeswax candles when you think of beeswax. This is a good thing since candles made from paraffin can endanger your health and that of your family due to the soot from paraffin wax that can be inhaled. Also, it can cause significant damage to the inside of your house, such as your computers, electrical appliances and ductwork.
Instead, opt for these natural candles, which work well as stress relievers. If making your own candles, you want to check labels to make sure you get organic beeswax since it’s free of toxins. If you’re buying already-made beeswax candles, choosing 100 percent beeswax candles with cotton wicks is definitely the best choice.
Source: draxe.com