Mind Your Beeswax

We've  all heard of busy bees.  Bees need to collect nectar from 17 million flowers to produce l pound of pure beeswax.  For more than 5,000 years beeswax has been used for medicinal purposes, cosmetics, currency and lubricants, as well as beautiful candles.

Beeswax makes an excellent lubricant for windows, zippers, etc. It is clean, non-greasy and pleasant smelling.

Because of its antiseptic properties, it is used in salves for burns and wounds still today.  Lotions containing beeswax are especially good because they protect the skin by sealing in moisture. Many cosmetics contain beeswax to help moisturize the skin.

Candles come to mind first when we think of beeswax. SOLID candles made from pure beeswax are naturally dripless and smokeless.  They burn cleanly with a soft white flame, creating a soft glow in the room. Their clean, soot-free burn is soothing and enhances breathing. Unscented beeswax candles are hypoallergenic.  Candle lovers appreciate their long burn time.  A 13" taper should burn approximately 13 hours with proper care.  Candles should never be burned in a drafty area.  This is a main cause of dripping.  Wicks should be carefully trimmed to no more than 3/8" when necessary.  As the candle burns down and a shell develops, it can be reshaped to increase burn time.  Do this with damp fingers when wax softens by gently re-shaping toward center.  Bloom is a soft, velvety patina that forms on beeswax. It does not affect burning, and can be wiped off is its effect is not appreciated.