As I began watching Chris manage the hives, I found myself wondering what, besides honey, the bees might yield us.  I started researching things like beeswax lip balms, hand balms and creams, and beeswax candle making. Through my research I have found is there is little the bees generate that can't be used for some other purpose.

Beeswax has so many uses, as I've indicated above. Propolis, or bee resin, can be used effectively to speed healing time and reduce pain caused by cold sores or as as a mouth rinse after oral surgery or a piercing.  And honey, we all know what we can use honey for... to make everything we eat a little sweeter and yummier naturally.

I am a stickler for lip balm. The brand I usually use stopped making the lip balm I use recently. I hate having to find a new brand... try it, hate it, throw it in the drawer, rinse and repeat until you find one you love.

So one night I did a search to learn how to make my own.  We have bees. They make beeswax. It seemed like an obvious solution. My first attempt was in a 1 oz tin. I tried coconut oil and shea butter (doubting that either would be good). The coconut oil wasn't great. But the shea butter... I was surprised. It felt good on my lips and stayed on all night. I would just have to tweak the recipe a little so it wouldn't dry out if unused for a few days. 

My second attempt was a similar formula, but this time I put the contents in tubes.  I used shea butter, lavender oil and just a hint of avocado oil for moisture. This was the formula! I use it everyday now! I am so amazed that these little insects provide us with a byproduct that allows me to make such an ordinary everyday product my very own.  

I excited to soon be able to play with candle making and to experiment with different hand cremes. Once again, the bees have expanded my world, if ever so slightly!

Thanks for listening to me buzz!

~ The Beekeeper's Wife