Beeswax wrap: application and effect

Beeswax wraps can relieve numerous complaints. Here you can find out everything about the use and effects of the tried and tested natural remedy.

Bee products are valued in both naturopathy and conventional medicine. Bee honey, pollen, propolis and beeswax are said to have numerous healing properties.

With beeswax wraps it is even said to be possible to relieve colds or relieve tension. The gentle natural product is also suitable for children and babies. Beeswax wraps for babies are available in drugstores, among other places.

What are beeswax wraps actually?

Beeswax wraps usually consist of cotton cloths that are soaked in liquid beeswax and hardened – similar to beeswax cloths.

The working principle of beeswax wraps is simple and has been tried and tested for centuries:

• After you have warmed the beeswax wrap and placed it on the affected part of the body, the warm, pliable wax radiates into the upper muscle layers.
• Interacting with your own body heat, this creates a deep and long-lasting warmth that is intended to relax and stimulate blood circulation.
• Depending on the application, a wax wrap can provide heat for up to several hours.

Areas of application of beeswax wraps

Of course, beeswax products do not replace medical treatment. Furthermore, their effect has not been scientifically proven. However, if used correctly, the home remedy can support medical measures and alleviate symptoms.

The warm beeswax wraps help with numerous complaints:

• According to the health portal Thieme, they have a soothing effect on coughs, bronchitis, pseudocroup and impending pneumonia.
• According to one manufacturer, beeswax wraps can also help with tension, muscle and joint pain.

Attention: Especially if you have inflammation, you should not use wax wraps without consulting your family doctor. In some cases, heat can be counterproductive and even worsen inflammation. Cold is recommended for inflammation and swelling.

As mentioned, the effect of beeswax wraps has not been scientifically proven. What is certain, however, is that honey applied externally can help wounds heal.

Use beeswax wraps correctly

In principle, you can place beeswax wraps on any part of your body. If you have a cold, it is particularly recommended to use it on your chest, neck or back.

This is the easiest way to heat the beeswax wrap:

• Heat an appropriately sized compress. It’s best to use a hairdryer and set it to the highest setting. Blow-dry the wrap evenly until it has reached approximately body temperature. If it gets too hot, be sure to let it cool down before hanging up. You can also warm the beeswax wrap with a hot water bottle.
• Then place the wax wrap on the selected part of the body and smooth it out so that the wax clings tightly to the skin.

Now it’s up to you how intense you want the heating effect to be:

• For a short application it is sufficient to press the beeswax wrap onto the respective part of the body until it has cooled down.
• For intense warmth, you should first fix the wrap on your skin. A tight-fitting piece of clothing (preferably made from natural materials) is suitable for this and you pull it over the wrap on yourself or your baby so that it doesn’t slip underneath. You can then extend the warming effect by placing a heating pad on the wrap. Alternatively, a thick duvet is also suitable to retain heat. This way the beeswax wrap stays warm for a few hours.
• Depending on the manufacturer, you can reuse and reheat a beeswax wrap five to ten times.

Tip: Healing ointments, aromatic oils or herbal mixtures under the beeswax wrap should enhance the beneficial effect. The heat allows the essential oils to penetrate particularly well into the upper layers of skin and muscles. To do this, massage the part of the body where you want to place the wrap with the natural product before use and apply the wrap immediately afterwards.

Essential oils have long been used in medicine. According to a study, they can have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects.

Beeswax wrap – sustainability is worth it

Beeswax wraps are made from animal products. It is therefore particularly important to pay attention to sustainability and animal-friendly production. So don’t necessarily buy the cheapest product. You can get organic quality beeswax wraps online, for example at Hans Natur or in the organic market.

Make your own soothing beeswax wraps

If you want, you can also easily make wax wraps yourself. This has several advantages: You will later know exactly which wax the finished wraps contain and you can also enrich them directly with your favorite aromatic oils and herbs. As a rule, it is also cheaper to make your own beeswax wraps.

This is what you need for homemade beeswax wraps:

• Fabric scraps or cloths made from pure, untreated cotton or linen

• Organic beeswax from the pharmacy or online (for example with organic honey)
• Two pots for a water bath
• Clothesline

Here’s how:

1. Cut your fabrics to the desired size. It is practical if you prepare different sizes at the same time. This way you will later have the right beeswax wraps ready for all family members and areas of application. For babies, a cloth size of eight by ten centimeters is sufficient. You can prepare cuts up to 20 centimeters wide for school children and adults.
2. Now fill the larger of the two pots with a little water and hang the second pot in it. Pour the beeswax into the smaller pot and let it slowly melt in a water bath with low heat.
3. Dip each cut cloth completely into the melted wax.
4. Hold the cloth in the air for a few seconds to dry it briefly and then dip it in again. Dip each cloth into the liquid beeswax two to three times.
5. Then hang the finished beeswax wraps on a clothesline with clothespins to dry.
6. Store the beeswax wraps in stacks or rolled up. To prevent the wax from sticking together, place an untreated cloth between each layer or roll up the wax cloths in it.

Edited by Lea Hermann

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