Seeing it on my ‘to buy’ list recently, I instead, bought some 100% pure beeswax in block form (to make it pliable enough for hair, Murray’s contains petroleum). In doing so I discovered the many uses and properties, and believe it will be a great item to stock up on or just have in my kit.
Why a trade item?
• It’s precious in nature as bees collectively fly around 10,000 miles to excrete enough for just a small 30g block.
• Bees have been continually reducing in number over recent years so if nothing else it could be an investment item. (Investigation into the cause of the decline still sparks debate among scientists, but there’s a general consensus that it’s partially to do with pesticides and intensive farming - meaning the bees only get to feed on one crop. Nothing on earth can do what bees do on the scale they do it.
• A variety of SHTF scenarios could pollute, kill or reduce numbers further so even if they don’t die, reviving populations requires wax to entice bees (using its smell) to regroup and form a hive.
• I’m sure someone somewhere must be trying to think of a mechanical replacement to pollinate crops (besides humans - this actually happens in parts of China but its very inefficient). If a method is found then the huge effort involved in maintaining bee populations will lessen (as we still like honey right?!) and populations may reduce further making wax more valuable.
• Its antibacterial so unlike paper money which harbours germs it resists them.
• It also has many uses (see below), most of which are likely to become more prevalent in a post economic collapse or post SHTF environment.
There’s evidence that the Romans considered beeswax as a kind of currency, in 181 BC when they defeated the Corsicans, they imposed at tax of 100,000 pounds of beeswax.
Uses and Properties:
• It’s stable chemical makeup and high melting point means it does not deteriorate over time (usable wax found in ancient tombs).
• When burnt in candles it burns hotter, longer and cleaner than petroleum based candles most used today. It also gives off a light closest in spectrum to that of the sun. In addition, when burnt beeswax releases negative ions which attract particles of dust and other crap to leave for a cleaner breathing environment – could be useful to help make contaminated but not lethal air more palatable.
• Polishing furniture and treating.
• Waterproofing and shining shoes and other leather kit.
• To preserve and finish metals such as iron and brass.
• Used on stone and wooden flooring as a polish and a preservative - it can also be used in the cracks as a sealant.
• As a bullet lube - leaves the barrel much cleaner, whilst significantly increasing muzzle velocity.
• Used as a temporary tooth filling and on the cracked hooves of animals.
• Reducing friction on ropes.
• Making custom fit earplugs – as a biker I’m tempted to try it!
• As a lube for nuts and screws
• And best of all you can actually eat it:
Apparently French nuns used to use beeswax dessert called Canneles de Bordeaux. They line a copper mold with beeswax and fill the mold with a custardy mixture and bake. The result is like creme brulee with a crunchy caramelized crust.
I’ve had some sat on my desk for a while and the room smells great. Like little bars of gold:
