“Let me tell ya ’bout the birds and the bees…”

Who remembers that line from the 1960s song? Well, let’s chat about the bees…BEESWAX in particular. It’s one of the most amazing ingredients we use! Bees have much to teach us, and what we learn from them may someday help slow down the aging process, cure addictions and troubleshoot some very real human problems.

We include natural BEESWAX in many of our formulations because of its softening, anti-inflammatory and soothing qualities. It’s absorbed slowly, making skin both firmer and plumper while promoting healthy cell regeneration.

BEESWAX – Then and Now

As a man, you’re out there every day creating waves. So, know that your squad here at Borth Beach Soapery is looking out for you when formulating personal care items with all-natural ingredients. And these ingredients – from rooibos tea to frankincense and BEESWAX – have been used since ancient times.

THEN

In 100 B.C. in China, beeswax was recognized as a top medicinal ingredient (Shen Nong Book of Herbs). It is also mentioned in 32 prescriptions given in a papyrus compiled in Egypt in about 1550 B.C. (Beeswax: History Uses and Trade, Stefan Bogdanov).

NOW

In the modern world, beeswax has long been confirmed as an ultimate conditioning ingredient. It’s renowned for enabling consistency and protection in balms and salves, preferable to the often-used petroleum derivatives found on many shop shelves.  

Beeswax is a natural wax produced by honey bees. The wax is formed into scales by eight wax-producing glands in the abdominal segments of worker bees, which discard the wax in or at the hive. It is produced to build comb, which is used to house the bees’ young and store pollen and honey.

Honey is their food, and beeswax is made by these bees through the consumption of honey produced from collected flower nectar. To produce one pound of wax, six to eight pounds of honey are ingested (Beeswax Production, Harvesting, Processing and Products, Coggshall and Morse. Wicwas Press. 1984-06-01).

So, as you can see, a lot of honey is consumed by the bees themselves as a food source. Ethical small beekeepers harvest only the excess honey and excess wax from their hives.

LET’S HELP OUR BEE COLONIES

To support our bee colonies, plant flowers that are diverse and not treated with chemicals. Educating others about the important role bees play as pollinators of our food. Buy organic as these farmers don’t use pesticides and thereby promote healthy bees. Support local beekeepers.

Some fun info

The ancient Egyptians used beeswax during embalming.