Beeswax
Beeswax
Beeswax (/biːzwæks/) is a natural wax produced by honey bees of the genus Apis. The bees produce beeswax from the glands on the sides of their bodies. They use it to build honeycomb cells in which their young are raised and honey and pollen are stored. For the bees, beeswax is an essential part of the hive structure.
Etymology
The term "beeswax" originated from the Old English beo-wæsc, which literally means "bee's wax". The word "wax" comes from the Old English weax, meaning "material made from the honeycomb of bees".
Production
Beeswax is produced by young worker bees between 12 and 20 days old in the form of thin scales. The scales, when first secreted, are tasteless, colorless and somewhat transparent. As it ages, it becomes opaque and changes in color from white to yellow or brown.
Uses
Beeswax has a wide range of uses. It is used in the production of food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. In medicine, it is used as a coating for pills, a binder in the preparation of medicinal ointments, and an ingredient in surgical bone wax which helps to control bleeding from bone surfaces.
Related Terms
- Honey: A sweet, viscous food substance made by bees and some related insects.
- Propolis: A red or brown resinous substance collected by honeybees from tree buds, used by them to fill crevices and to seal and varnish honeycombs.
- Royal Jelly: A substance secreted by honeybee workers and fed by them to larvae that are being raised as potential queen bees.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Beeswax
- Wikipedia's article - Beeswax
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