Archive for the ‘Bees Wax’ Category

Historical usage of Beeswax

When honey is consumed by bees, beeswax is formed. Beeswax is used to seal bee hive. The smaller gasp of the hive is sealed by beeswax. The worker bee secretes the beeswax. Beeswax has a strong and a prominent presence in the history of its world.

A Greek poet Homer used beeswax to seal wooden panel. Beeswax was most commonly and frequently used by ancestors for various purposes. Romans were honoured by making beeswax figure of themselves. Tussads, in London is such an example in modern day.

In Egypt, the historical tombs are coated with beeswax to protect them from wear and tear. Dolls are very famous with Greeks and so they use beeswax to make beautiful and lovely dolls. Till date The Roman church uses candles made out of beeswax and considers them very auspicious.

Beeswax is used in and as cosmetics. Beeswax is used in candle making also. The flame of a beeswax candle produces a circular white flame. The texture of beeswax is solid in normal room environment.

It will start melting at 90 degrees. Beeswax aroma is more like honey, because it is made of honey.

It is usually pale yellow or whitish in colour. Beeswax candle are aromatically more natural because they are made of honey and flower pollen.

Candles made out of bees wax burn longer than other wax candles. At times to give a smooth finish to the candles, hardeners are used to make pransportation and movement of the candles easier.

There are now several specialists that sell only beeswax products and there beeswax ranges are growing every year including every from candles to lip balm.

Following products are made out of beeswax:

• Soaps
• Candles
• Cosmetics- Lip balm, lip sticks
• Water proof leather
• Wood for boats
• Varnish
• Lubricants

Beeswax is also used extensively in art work. Moulds are made out of this and then clay is filled into it, and then it is baked to give a terracotta look and feel.

Even bee keeper’s take beeswax for commercial purpose. They use smoke from fire to extract wax. It involves a lot of labour. The smoke is not dangerous or harmful to the bees or to the labourer. The wax is then melted to form cakes. These cakes are durable and have a good shelf life.