Beeswax

Related Terms

Cerotic acid, D-002, hydroxypalmitate, oleate esters, palmitate, palmitoleate policosanol, PEG-6 Beeswax, PEG-8 Beeswax, PEG-20 Beeswax, propolis, synthetic beeswax, triacontanol, triacontanylpalmitate, very-long-chain fatty alcohols.
Brand names that include certified natural beeswax, according to the Natural Products Association: Arch Chemicals?: Natural Facial Cleanser; Aubrey Organics?: Natural Lips Autumn Frost, Silken Earth Translucent Base; Boom?: Wholearth Beauty + Bath Eco-Chic Body Mist & Room Spray, Wholearth Beauty + Bath Grateful Planet Body Mist & Room Spray; Burt's Bees?: Aloe & Witch Hazel Hand Sanitizer, Baby Bee Buttermilk Lotion, Beeswax Lip Balm, Natural Acne Solutions Acne Treatment with Willow Bark Targeted Spot Treatment, Natural Hair Gel for Men, Natural Oral Care Multicare with Cranberry Extract Fluoride Toothpaste, Radiance Eye Creme with Royal Jelly; Highland Laboratories?: Red Red Wine Resveratrol Body Lotion; Nature's Way?: Camocare Soy Cleansing Milk, Camocare Under Eye Therapy; W.S. Badger Company?: Organic Anti-Bug Stick, Organic Aromatic Chest Rub, Organic Cheerful Mind Balm, Organic Cuticle Care, Organic Foot Balm, Organic Ginger and Lemon Lip & Body Balm, Organic Headache Soother, Organic Healing Balm, Organic Highland Mint Lip & Body Balm, Organic Sleep Balm, Organic Sore Joint Rub, Organic Sore Muscle Rub, Organic Cooling Blend Sore Muscle Rub, Organic Stress Soother, Organic Tangerine Breeze Lip & Body Balm.

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.

Evidence Table

These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *
These uses have been tested in humans or animals. Safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. GRADE *


Research suggests that the combination of beeswax, honey, and olive oil may be useful in the treatment of anorectal lesions (hemorrhoids, anal fissures). Further studies of beeswax alone are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Research suggests that the combination of beeswax, honey, and olive oil may be useful in the treatment of anorectal lesions (hemorrhoids, anal fissures). Further studies of beeswax alone are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Studies suggest that D-002, a component of beeswax, may be useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal disturbances that occur as side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Additional high-quality studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Studies suggest that D-002, a component of beeswax, may be useful in the treatment of gastrointestinal disturbances that occur as side effects of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen and naproxen. Additional high-quality studies are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Research suggests that the combination of beeswax, honey, and olive oil may be useful in the treatment of a wide variety of skin disorders and skin infections. Further studies of beeswax alone are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C


Research suggests that the combination of beeswax, honey, and olive oil may be useful in the treatment of a wide variety of skin disorders and skin infections. Further studies of beeswax alone are needed before a conclusion can be made.

 C
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)
* Key to grades

A: Strong scientific evidence for this use
B: Good scientific evidence for this use
C: Unclear scientific evidence for this use
D: Fair scientific evidence for this use (it may not work)
F: Strong scientific evidence against this use (it likley does not work)

Tradition / Theory

The below uses are based on tradition, scientific theories, or limited research. They often have not been thoroughly tested in humans, and safety and effectiveness have not always been proven. Some of these conditions are potentially serious, and should be evaluated by a qualified healthcare provider. There may be other proposed uses that are not listed below.

Dosing

Adults (18 years and older)
For gastrointestinal disorders caused by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen and naproxen), D-002 (a component of beeswax) has been used. Forty milligrams and 100 milligrams of D-002 have been taken by mouth, twice daily at meals, 30 minutes before taking an NSAID, for 14 days.

Safety

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate herbs and supplements. There is no guarantee of strength, purity or safety of products, and effects may vary. You should always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, you should speak with a qualified healthcare provider before starting a new therapy. Consult a healthcare provider immediately if you experience side effects.

Interactions

Interactions with Drugs
Beeswax may cause high blood pressure. Caution is advised in patients taking drugs that affect blood pressure.
Beeswax may also interact with antibiotics, anti-inflammatory agents, antifungals, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and drugs that affect the gastrointestinal system.

Attribution

This information is based on a systematic review of scientific literature edited and peer-reviewed by contributors to the Natural Standard Research Collaboration (www.naturalstandard.com).

Bibliography

Al-Waili, NS. Mixture of honey, beeswax and olive oil inhibits growth of and . Arch Med Res 2005;36(1):10-13.
Al-Waili, NS. Clinical and mycological benefits of topical application of honey, olive oil and beeswax in diaper dermatitis. Clin Microbiol.Infect. 2005;11(2):160-163.
Al-Waili NS, Saloom KS, Al-Waili TN, et al. The safety and efficacy of a mixture of honey, olive oil, and beeswax for the management of hemorrhoids and anal fissure: a pilot study. ScientificWorldJournal 2006;6:1998-2005.
Antol?n EM, Qui??nez YB, Canavaciolo VG, et al. Validation of an analytical method for quality control of residual solvents (n-hexane and acetone) in D-002: new active ingredient from beeswax. J Pharm Biomed Anal 2008;47(3):646-50.
Attama AA, Schicke BC, M?ller-Goymann CC. Further characterization of theobroma oil-beeswax admixtures as lipid matrices for improved drug delivery systems. Eur J Pharm Biopharm 2006;64(3):294-306.
Buchwald R, Breed MD, Greenberg AR, et al. Interspecific variation in beeswax as a biological construction material. J Exp Biol 2006;209(Pt 20):3984-9.
Fabra MJ, Jim?nez A, Atar?s L, et al. Effect of Fatty acids and beeswax addition on properties of sodium caseinate dispersions and films. Biomacromolecules 2009;10(6):1500-7.
Hargrove, JL, Greenspan, P, and Hartle, DK. Nutritional significance and metabolism of very long chain fatty alcohols and acids from dietary waxes. Exp.Biol Med (Maywood.) 2004;229(3):215-226.
Illnait, J, Terry, H, Mas, R, et al. Effects of D-002, a product isolated from beeswax, on gastric symptoms of patients with osteoarthritis treated with piroxicam: a pilot study. J Med Food 2005;8(1):63-68.
Junghans, V, Geier, J, and Fuchs, T. Allergy to propolis caused by beeswax-containing ointment. Am.J.Contact Dermat. 2002;13(2):87.
Lanigan RS, Yamarik TA, Cosmetic Ingredient Review Expert Panel. Final report on the safety assessment of PEG-6, -8, and -20 sorbitan beeswax. Int J Toxicol 2001;20 Suppl 4:27-38.
L?bbe J, Sanchez-Politta S. Propolis, beeswax, and the sensitization potential of topical calcineurin inhibitors. Clin Exp Dermatol 2006;31(1):147-8.
Mendoza S, Noa M, P?rez Y, et al. Preventive effect of D-002, a mixture of long-chain alcohols from beeswax, on the liver damage induced with CCl4 in rats. J Med Food 2007;10(2):379-83.
Navarro-Tarazaga ML, Del R?o MA, Krochta JM, et al. Fatty acid effect on hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-beeswax edible film properties and postharvest quality of coated 'Ortanique' mandarins. J Agric Food Chem 2008;56(22):10689-96.
Navarro-Tarazaga ML, Sothornvit R, P?rez-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.