Cosmetics and pharmaceuticals account for 60% of the total consumption of beeswax in the United States. Beeswax has long been a basic component of skin balms because the esthers that are present in beeswax are the same as those found in human skin. These compounds help to bind and emulsify ointments and lotions. They increase essential moisture in skin, and are commonly found in hand and body creams.
Beeswax has anti-bacterial properties as well. It contains vitamin A, a necessary component for cell growth. It supports other moisturizers and is largely hypoallergenic. But as important as beeswax is to balms, there is another bee product that has more properties and wider uses. Whether that is warranted or not is another matter.
Propolis
Propolis is a resinous substance collected from tree buds and other botanical sources. Bees use it as a sealant for open spaces in their hives. The composition of propolis will be different from hive to hive, and is dependent on the nearest source for the raw material. In the northern hemisphere, the main constituents of propolis are poplar and conifers. This makes a substance that is made of vegetable balsams, waxes, essential oils and pollens. But this can vary widely from region to region. There can also be variations within the same hive. This may be the reason that the health claims for propolis vary widely as well, making the task of substantiating the claims of some balms that much more challenging.
Nevertheless, propolis is sold in health food stores for its purported beneficial effects. Natural medicine practitioners often cite the use of propolis for the relief of various conditions like viral diseases, small burns or scalds. Old beekeepers even claim that propolis can cure sore throats. With a certain composition, propolis has shown local antibiotic properties and even some anti-fungal action. It has shown some effectiveness in treating minor burns. The dental community has begun investigation into the oral uses of this compound.
Some of these claims of propolis are being scientifically investigated. But given the variation of the chemical compounds that make up propolis, consumers should exercise caution when making the choice of a balm. It is a fact that, in the absence of natural compounds, bees will make propolis out of man made compounds, even substances such as bathroom caulk. Let the buyer beware, or at least ask where the propolis was harvested. That way you can be sure that what you are buying is as helpful and natural as the claims say it is.
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By Vince Platania
