Bees provide people not only with honey, propolis or bee bread, but also with other useful products. One of them is wax. Many consider it a waste product from bee production. However, this is not true. The substance is not only required by the insects themselves, but is also actively used by people. However, not everyone knows what exactly wax is made from. Bees produce it with special glands and use it to create honeycombs.
Composition of beeswax
This substance has a rather complex composition. It includes more than 50 different ingredients and compounds.
These include the following:
- 75% esters;
- 10-15% free fatty acids;
- 10-15% saturated hydrocarbons;
- 2% water;
- 1-2% vitamins, minerals and carotenoids;
- 1-2% propolis, pollen and larvae impurities.
The exact amount of components listed may vary depending on the time of year and the type of bees. In this case, the main part consists of esters. It is these substances that allow the wax to be preserved for a long time without changing its structure.
Benefits and harms
The beneficial properties of the substance include the following:
- Bactericidal effect. Wax can be used to combat inflammation and accelerate recovery from temperature exposure and damage to the skin and mucous membranes.
- Cleansing the body of waste and toxins.
- Accelerated tissue restoration.
- Normalization of the functioning of the digestive organs.
- Restoration of normal intestinal microflora.
- Slowing down the aging process.
- Activation of metabolism.
- Improving intestinal motility.
- Elimination of bacterial infection.
- Analgesic effect.
- Gradual heat release. This property allows the composition to be used for wax compresses.
- Improving blood flow in problem areas.
The product is also often used in cosmetology. Using this substance it is possible to obtain the following effects:
- strengthen nails;
- eliminate age and expression wrinkles;
- make hair softer, more voluminous and shiny;
- eliminate split ends;
- style your hair;
- cleanse the skin;
- carry out depilation.
Where does wax come from in bees?
Many people are interested in how bees produce wax. Young insects have special glands on their abdomen, which are arranged in pairs. A substance is released through the pores of these glands. It hardens on the surface and forms hard waxy plates that weigh no more than 0.25 milligrams.
The process of producing the substance is considered quite complex. On the 10th day of life, the bee begins to actively absorb honey and pollen. This helps her accumulate a lot of enzymes. People extract wax directly from beehives.
Why do bees need it?
During the season, 1 bee colony in a hive produces up to 2 kilograms of such building material. It is taken from special glands and used by insects to build honeycombs. The composition also has antibacterial properties that protect unripened honey from fermentation. Thanks to this, the nectar does not become moldy in conditions of high humidity.
How bees form honeycombs
Honeycombs are layers that contain cells. Their thickness is 25 millimeters. The honeycomb layers are fixed vertically downwards on the ceiling. The interval between them is 10-12 millimeters. This helps the insects avoid touching each other. The bees start construction from the top. They hang upside down, forming chains.
The first bee clings to the ceiling with its paws, and the next one clings to its hind limbs. In this way, chains can be formed. Insects that secrete wax are released and move upward. With their jaws and legs they crush its scales.Then they are moistened and mixed with maxillary secretions. The finished composition is divided into small parts and placed at the site where the honeycomb is built. This is how the honeycombs of the required shape are obtained.
Where and how is it used by humans?
The beneficial properties of beeswax have been known since ancient times. This substance is still used in folk medicine. It is important to consider the following:
- Rheumatism and other joint pathologies can be treated with creams and gels based on beeswax.
- The substance is used to make ointments that accelerate wound healing. This is due to the antibacterial properties of the product.
- Wax is a natural antibiotic that helps eliminate colds, dermatological diseases, and strengthen the immune system. The product also improves the functions of the liver and stomach.
Beeswax is actively used in cosmetology. It is used to make face masks that normalize the appearance of the skin and cope with acne and other rashes. The substance is also added to lip balms.
This unique product preserves the youth of skin cells. This is due to the increased content of vitamin A and other microelements. The product can be used like this:
- Breastfeeding women can rub wax into their breasts to increase milk production.
- For diseases of the oral cavity and inflammation of the gums, you need to chew small pieces of wax. This helps reduce pain and fight bacteria.
- For back and lower back pain, you can rub the composition into the body.
Beeswax can safely be called a unique product.It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, healing properties. The composition also successfully treats many diseases and is actively used in everyday life.
