Instead of harshness and haste, we choose honey and wax - gifts from the hive that bring warmth, care and a little light to every corner of life.
The Beauty of Beeswax
There’s something truly special about beeswax. It’s not just a wax-it’s the result of patience, teamwork and nature’s quiet magic. Every tiny flake of beeswax is secreted by young worker bees from glands on their abdomens, then softened in their mouths and shaped into the honeycomb we all know. It takes around eight wax flakes and twelve hours just to make a little building block of the hive. It’s slow, purposeful work.
To put it into perspective: for just one pound of beeswax, bees must consume up to ten pounds of honey and visit over 30 million flowers. I find that extraordinary-it’s one of the many reasons I hold deep respect for the bees and the beautiful material they create.
Beeswax is completely natural, renewable and biodegradable. It feels hard and brittle when cold, but warms to become soft and pliable. It holds a sweet, earthy scent and a subtle glow-there is just something ancient and grounding about it; as though it carries a memory of sunlight.
Why I choose Beeswax?
When you light a beeswax candle, it’s unlike any other. It burns with a soft golden halo-the same light spectrum as the sun-which makes it calming to the eyes and easier on the senses, especially for those who are light sensitive.
Beeswax is one of the most dense and longest-burning waxes, and it burns cleanly, producing very little soot or smoke. In fact, it purifies the air by releasing negative ions, which bind to dust, allergens, and pollutants-helping to neutralise them. It’s said that burning a beeswax candle before bed can even support restful sleep and clearer breathing.
Choosing beeswax supports beekeepers (like my son!) and encourages the care and keeping of bees, who are vital to the health of our planet.
A wax with many talents
Beeswax is naturally:
Antibacterial and antifungal - just like honey, it helps protect against germs and contamination, which is why it’s often used in balms, soaps, and salves.
Moisturising and soothing - it locks in hydration and creates a gentle barrier, making it ideal for dry or sensitive skin.
Edible (though not exactly tasty!) - it’s non-toxic, which is why it’s often found in lip balms and food wraps.
Waterproof - it’s been used for centuries to protect materials like leather, fabric and even ship rigging from the elements.
Beeswax vs other materials
One of the most beautiful things about beeswax is that it never goes bad. Thanks to a substance called propolis - a natural resin bees collect from trees to protect their hives-beeswax resists mould, decay, and bacteria. Archaeologists have even found intact beeswax in ancient tombs!
It also makes a wonderful alternative to plastic. Beeswax food wraps are a natural, safe, and reusable way to store food-keeping moisture in, and bacteria out, without any harsh chemicals.
A final thought
Beeswax has a lovely way of slowing things down. It reminds me that small things - like the work of a bee, or the flicker of a flame - can bring a lot of comfort.
Every candle I pour starts with something real and honest: time, care and a little help from the bees. When someone lights it, I like to think (and hope) that it brings a bit of that warmth into their day.
It doesn’t have to be anything big-just a moment of calm, a breath, a soft glow in the corner of a room. That’s enough.