Background

• Female worker honeybees of the genus Apis produce beeswax. The naturally white wax turns yellow or brown after it mixes with pollen oils. Synthetic versions of beeswax have been manufactured to resemble natural beeswax.
• Beeswax has been a commonly used ingredient in the manufacturing of candles, cosmetics, skin creams, and medicinal products for centuries. In folk medicine it has been used as an antiseptic in wound healing and in ear candles to remove earwax.
• Beeswax has been incorporated into many food products, including chewing gum, coffee, tea, and surface-treated fresh vegetables.
• Clinical study suggests that beeswax may be useful for the treatment of skin disorders and skin infections. D-002, a component of beeswax, may be effective in the treatment of some gastrointestinal disturbances caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen (Motrin® or Advil®) and naproxen (Aleve® or Naprosyn®). Compounds in beeswax are being studied for their potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and cholesterol-lowering properties.

References

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• Navarro-Tarazaga ML, Sothornvit R, Pérez-Gago MB. Effect of plasticizer type and amount on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-beeswax edible film properties and postharvest quality of coated plums (cv. Angeleno). J Agric Food Chem 2008;56(20):9502-9.
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