PREVIOUS Uses of Beeswax*

*Adapted from: Practical Beekeeping for the Developing World by Henry Mulzac. 1978. Unpublished manuscript prepared for the Peace Corps.

 Grafting Wax for Horticultural purposes
Melt equal portions of resin and beeswax in a double boiler. Allow the mixture to cool and roll it out into sticks. Wrap in wax paper and store in a cool, dry place.

Sewing
Pull the thread through small blocks of beeswax. The wax stiffens and smooths the thread. This is especially useful when sewing hides and thick material.

Treatment for Cracked Hooves
Mix together equal parts of melted beeswax and honey for a good home remedy for cracked hooves of animals. Clean and dry the crack before applying the mixture.

Beeswax FurnitureWood Polish
200 gms beeswax
100 gms turpentine
50 gms orange, lemon, or coconut oil
Grate the beeswax into flakes. Gradually add the turpentine to soften the wax. Add oil and mix. Store in a tin with a tight-fitting top or in a jar.

Beeswax Floor Polish
60 gms potash
60 gms water
120 gms beeswax
270 gms water
Heat 270 gms of water to the boiling point and gradually add the beeswax. Mix the potash with 60 gms of water and pour this mixture into the beeswax and water. Heat until a milky fluid results.

Leather Waterproofer
750 gms beeswax
45 gms pitch
60 gms ground nut oil
40 gms iron sulfate
15 gms essence of thyme
Grate and melt the beeswax. Allow the wax to cool until it is "semi-soft". Add the remaining ingredients and mix. store in a tight container.

Topical Ointment for Burns
18 gms beeswax
40 gms paraffin
10 gms pulverized aloe
30 gms water
1 gm borax (available in pharmacies)
Grate and melt together the beeswax and paraffin. Remove from heat and add the remaining ingredients. Store in a jar.

Beeswax Cold Cream
100 gms beeswax
200 gms water
300 gms colorless mineral oil
6 gms borax
-aromatic essence (if desired)
Heavy, colorless mineral oil, which is sold in pharmacies as medicinal oil, is satisfactory. The borax, or sodium borate, neutralizes the acids in the beeswax and acts as an emulsifier.

Heat the beeswax and mineral oil to 70 degrees C. Stir until the wax is completely dissolved. Add the borax to the water and heat to the same temperature as above. Add the borax-water solution to the oil and wax while stirring briskly. Stir until a smooth emulsion is formed.

When the mixture has cooled to 60 degrees C, add the aromatic essence and stir thoroughly. When cooled to 48 degrees C, pour into jars and allow to set with the lids off.

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