Beeswax Interactions Overview

Beeswax, produced by bees to construct honeycombs, starts out white but changes to yellow or brown when mixed with pollen oils. It is used orally for hyperlipidemia, peptic ulcers, diarrhea, hiccups, and pain, and topically for anal fissures, burns, diaper rash, hemorrhoids, oral mucositis, radiation dermatitis, and fungal skin infections. In the food industry, white beeswax and beeswax absolute serve as stiffening agents, while in manufacturing, they act as thickeners, emulsifiers, and stiffening agents in cosmetics, and as fragrance ingredients in soaps and perfumes. The composition of beeswax varies among bee families and breeds. Some studies suggest that very-long-chain fatty alcohols from beeswax may lower cholesterol and affect LDL metabolism. Mixtures of honey, beeswax, and olive oil may inhibit bacteria growth, and beeswax with NSAIDs may protect against NSAID-induced ulcers.