Farm-time Fridays: Mind Your Beeswax!

Beeswax is an All Natural Ingredient
by
Janet Poston

Here on our farm we have our own bee hives.  Bees are indeed very unique insects.  Each hive contains one queen bee and hundreds of worker bees.  I would like to give you a glimpse of why SoJoy's whipped body butter and lip balm contains beeswax (aside from being an all natural emulsifier) but first a little segment on how beeswax is made. 

Some of our beehives.  Photo by Jena Sanders.

Production of Beeswax

Bees are busy and efficient workers.  They are responsible for the production of beeswax to create or repair their honeycomb.  Bees feed on nectar then convert it into honey.  Worker bees consume honey.  The youngest bees cluster in large numbers to raise their body temperature. Wax producing glands under their abdomen slowly secrete slivers of wax about the size of a pinhead.  Other worker bees collect these wax scales and take them to the part of the hive requiring the new wax. Bees then chew the wax, and the secretion from this process makes it soft.   The colors of the wax change (including white, yellow, orange, red and brown).  Bees use about six pounds of honey to produce one pound of wax.  Beeswax is just one of the fruits of their labor from which we benefit.

I heart Beeswax.  photo by Jena.

Benefits of Beeswax

Skin Softner --  Beeswax (containing vitamin A) is beneficial in soothing, softening, and rehydrating dry skin and in cell reconstruction.
Protector  -- Beeswax when blended into body butter and lip balms, forms a protective barrier on the surface of the skin. This barrier provides a film of protection against irritants while still allowing the skin to breathe. 
Skin Healer  --  Beeswax offers anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and antibacterial benefits.  Beeswax inhibits the growth of the bacteria and fungus, making beeswax beneficial in the treatment of diaper rash and other bacterial skin conditions.

  {fun fact: Did you know Romans used honey instead of gold to pay their taxes?}

**Disclaimer:  The information contained in this article is intended to provide helpful and healthful advice from traditional, home-health & well-being practitioners (Not medical doctors) and should not be construed as medical advice.  Please consult your primary health physician if you have or may have any pre-existing medical conditions.
 

Wellness Wednesday: DETOX Bathing

by Janet Poston

Detoxification of your body through bathing has been around for a long time.  It is something that you can do in the comfort of your own home. Your skin is known as the third kidney, and toxins are excreted through sweating. A detoxification bath will help your body in ridding your body of toxins, as well as absorbing the minerals and nutrients that are in the water.

Here is how I prepare my bath.  I take this detoxifying bath on a day that I have at least forty consecutive minutes.  The first twenty minutes helps the body to remove toxins, and the second twenty minutes helps the body to soak in minerals and nutrients from the water.  I drink fresh water while in the tub and after I get out.

Photo by Jena @ Over the Top Cabin

This is what I do.

• Dry-brush body.

• Fill tub with comfortably hot water.  (If you feel too hot, add cold water).  Even though I have spring water, I have a filter on my spout. 

• Add two cups of Epsom salts and/or Celtic sea salt to the bath; dissolve by swirling.  Epsom Salt (Magnesium Sulfate) helps relieve muscle aches and soothes the central nervous system by replenishing the body with Magnesium (a typical deficiency in modern times) and sulfates.  Celtic Sea salt (or other live, raw salt) contains several trace minerals that are absorbed through the skin encouraging revitalization.

• Add one cup of baking soda.  This will help eliminate chlorine (if your water is chlorinated) and softens the skin.

ENJOY!  Bath Soak with dried lavender and chamomile flowers.  Add some fresh ginger too!

• Add one SoJoy specially-made bathing bags with dried lavender and chamomile flower buds and more.  Additionally, you may want to add some fresh sliced ginger to the bag. Ginger helps to heat the body and allows it to perspire.  

• I sometimes add a cup of food-grade 35% hydrogen peroxide (purchased from a local organic store).  This helps restore oxygen balance for healthy cell growth and function.

• Briefly shower off before getting out and drying off.

• Apply SoJoy whipped body butter or other natural, unrefined oils to your skin.  The oils & butters will penetrate your skin and replenish and nourish your body with nutrients that promote healthy, supple skin. 

• Enjoy your day!  Keep drinking water throughout the day to further assist in flushing toxins from your skin.

**Disclaimer:  The information contained in this article is intended to provide helpful and healthful advice from traditional, home-health & well-being practitioners (Not medical doctors) and should not be construed as medical advice.  Please consult your primary health physician if you have or may have any pre-existing medical conditions.**