Self Sufficiency
Health Benefits And Uses For Organic Beeswax

In this article, we will be talking about organic beeswax. But before we continue, I’d like to give a brief review of my previous article, The Survivalist’s Guide to Raising Honey Bees, I covered the process of how to raise honey bees from start to finish!
Organic Beeswax: Its Different Uses And Health Benefits
When raising anything on a farm or homestead, it takes a while to become established. However, once you experience success, it becomes one of the most rewarding experiences you’ll ever have. As far as honey bees are concerned…it’s amazing what honey bees can accomplish!
To continue, organic beeswax is the wax secreted by honey bees to make honeycombs. Beeswax possesses so many health benefits and has many uses! Before I go into its health benefits and uses, let’s cover some basic information and other really interesting facts about beeswax.
- Organic Beeswax is only made by honey bees.
- Organic Beeswax can only be made if there is a decent supply of plant nectar around.
- At room temperature, organic beeswax is firm; at 80-90 degrees fahrenheit it starts to soften and becomes ‘putty like’; when it is 145-147 degrees fahrenheit it will melt. In cold temperatures, it will turn to a ‘powder like’ substance.
- It has been around since the dawn of time! Organic beeswax has been found anywhere from a pharaoh’s tomb to sunken Viking ships. It was pretty much considered duct tape back then!
- Beeswax is used to treat medical conditions on the skin such as psoriasis, eczema, poison ivy rashes…and much more!
- Organic Beeswax can also be used in homemade cosmetics such as creams, which will do wonders for your skin.
Now, let’s talk about the many health benefits and uses for beeswax, some of which may surprise you! I will also share a few recipes, using beeswax, so you can make all natural cosmetic and medicinal products at home.
Disclaimer: The use of beeswax is generally safe but, if you experience seasonal allergies due to reactions to pollen, please consult with your primary care physician before you use beeswax for any reason. It is also advised that if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking any medications to consult with your primary care physician before using beeswax products.
Beeswax truly is amazing! Here is a list of some of its many health benefits and uses:
- Treats eczema
- Clears acne
- Heals severely chapped lips
- Protects the liver
- Treats psoriasis
- Relieves pain
- Treats diaper dermatitis
- Lowers cholesterol levels
- Reduces the appearance of stretch marks
- Possesses anti-inflammatory properties
- Treats fungal infections on your skin
Now, let’s talk recipes! Here are some easy DIY recipes for cosmetic and medicinal uses.
Recipes – Beeswax Cosmetic And Medicinal Products
Vitamin E Cream
This cream is perfect for dry and/or chapped skin!
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce of beeswax
- 2 ounces of water
- 4 ounces of sweet almond oil
- 10 drops of lavender essential oil
- 10 drops of vitamin E oil
Directions:
- In a double broiler, melt the beeswax and sweet almond oil
- Remove from heat
- Add water and stir thoroughly
- Add the vitamin E oil and lavender essential oil and stir until the mixture slightly cools
- While it is still warm, pour into your choice of a salve jar or metal tin. Allow to cool completely before use.
Store covered at room temperature.
Antiseptic Balm
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces of beeswax
- 3 ounces of sweet almond oil
- 20 drops of tea tree essential oil
- 1 ounce of jojoba essential oil
- 20 drops of myrrh essential oil
- 20 drops of wheat germ essential oil
Directions:
- Heat sweet almond oil and jojoba essential oil in a saucepan
- Add 2 ounces of beeswax and stir
- Allow this mixture to start cooling. As it is cooling, add the remaining essential oils, which will give the balm its antiseptic effect. Stir until mixed well.
- Pour slightly cooled mixture into a salve jar or metal tin. Allow to cool completely before use.
Store covered at room temperature.
Itch Relief Salve – Perfect for Poison Ivy and Poison Oak Rashes
Ingredients:
- 1 pint of sweet olive oil
- 2 ounces of beeswax
- 1 tablespoon of comfrey powder
- 1 tablespoon of chickweed powder
Directions:
- Combine the chickweed powder, comfrey powder, and sweet olive oil and simmer for 3 hours.
- Strain and add the beeswax
- Pour into salve jar or metal tin
- Allow to cool completely before use
Store covered at room temperature.
Coconut Body Moisturizer
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons of distilled water
- 4 tablespoons of sweet almond oil
- 2 tablespoons of coconut oil
- 4 ounces of cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoons of beeswax
Directions:
- Melt the beeswax with the distilled water over low heat
- Add cocoa butter and blend
- Gradually blend in the oils
- Remove from heat
- Pour into a salve jar
- Allow to cool completely before use
Mixture will thicken as it cools. Store covered at room temperature.
Green Toe Gardens shows a video on Joe Kovaleski – Beeswax and Uses:
Do you use organic beeswax for homemade cosmetics or medicinal products? What beeswax products are your favorite? Share with us in the comment section below.
Learn about beekeeping info for the savvy homesteaders!
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The contents of this article are for informational purposes only. Please read our full disclaimer.
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Self Sufficiency
NYC Adds Nearly 4,000 People Who Never Tested Positive To Coronavirus Death Tolls

New York City added nearly 4,000 people who never tested positive for the coronavirus to its death toll Tuesday, bringing coronavirus-related deaths in the city to around 10,000 people.
The city decided to add 3,700 people to its death tolls, who they “presumed” to have died from the virus, according to a report from The New York Times. The additions increased the death toll in the U.S. by 17%, according to the Times report, and included people who were suffering from symptoms of the virus, such as intense coughing and a fever.
The report stated that Democratic New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio decided over the weekend to change the way the city is counting deaths.
“In the heat of battle, our primary focus has been on saving lives,” de Blasio press secretary Freddi Goldstein told the Times.“As soon as the issue was raised, the mayor immediately moved to release the data.”
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Self Sufficiency
How To Make Lacto-Fermented Sauerkraut In A Mason Jar
The thing about homesteading is you get to create your own ingredient right from scratch! Cheese, yogurt, butter and now sauerkraut, a delightfully sour and crunchy ingredient you can use on your meals — or consume by itself — while on a homestead, or while facing this health crisis!
This homemade sauerkraut is a great meal because it has a long shelf life. You can either make plain sauerkraut or mix it with herbs and spices. In this tutorial let us make Lacto-fermented sauerkraut that preserves all the good probiotics in a jar, good for your guts.
So how to make sauerkraut in a mason jar?
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Delicious Sauerkraut Recipe Every Homesteader Should Know
Why Make Sauerkraut?
Not only does sauerkraut spoil a long time, but it is also a meal in itself, and it is also easy to make! You don’t need to be an expert cook, all you need to do is follow these simple steps.
So let us get started. Here are the steps in making sauerkraut in a mason jar.
Ingredients:
- 1 head of cabbage or 2 1/2 lbs cabbage
- 1 tablespoon of salt
Tools Needed:
- knife
- bowl
- mason jar
- smaller jar
- rubber band
Step 1: Wash & Clean the Tools & Ingredients
Wash all the equipment and utensils you need. Wash your hands too.
You don’t want to mix your sauerkraut with bad bacteria, anything that is going to make you sick.
Next, remove the faded leaves from your cabbage. Cut off the roots and the parts that don’t seem fresh.
Step 2: Cut the Cabbage Into Quarters & Slice Into Strips
Cut your cabbage into quarters and remove the core. Then, slice it into strips.
Step 3: Place in a Bowl & Sprinkle With Salt
Put the stripped cabbage into a bowl. Sprinkle the cabbage with 1 tablespoon of salt.
TIP: Use canning salt or sea salt. Iodized salt will make it taste different and may not ferment the cabbage.
RELATED: Homemade Yogurt Recipe
Step 4: Massage the Cabbage
Massage the cabbage for five minutes or more to get the juice out.
TIP: You’ll know it’s ready when you see a bit of juice at the bottom of the bowl and will look similar to coleslaw.
Step 5: Press Cabbage Into the Mason Jar
Add the cabbage to the mason jar gradually. Press it in hard to allow the juice to come out. Do this every time you add about a handful of cabbage.
IMPORTANT: Food should be covered by the liquid to promote fermentation. Add any excess liquid from the bowl to the jar.
Step 6: Press a Smaller Jar Into the Mason Jar
You want to squeeze every ounce of that juice from the cabbage. To do this place the mason jar in a bowl and get a smaller jar.
Fill it with water or marble to make it heavy. Press it into the bigger mason jar. Allow any juices to rise to the surface.
Step 7: Cover the Jars With Cloth & Tie With Rubber Band
Leave the small jar on. To keep your jars clean from annoying insects and irritating debris, cover your jars with a clean cloth. Then, use a rubber band to tie the cloth and the jars together, putting them in place.
Step 8: Set Aside & Check Daily
Set it aside in a cool dry place, away from direct sunlight. Check the water level daily. It should always be above the cabbage.
Step 9: Taste Your Sauerkraut & Keep at Cool Temperatures
After about five days, you can taste your sauerkraut. If the taste is to your liking, tightly cover it with the lid and store in the fridge or cellar.
NOTE: If after five days it’s still not your desired taste, leave it for a few more days. This will allow the fermentation process to continue.
You can now enjoy your sauerkraut in a mason jar. Enjoy its goodness! You can use it as a side dish or mix it with your favorite sandwich.
Things to Remember in Making Sauerkraut
- Store away from direct sunlight and drafts.
- Colder weather will make the process longer. Spring is the best time to make them since the warmth helps activate the fermentation.
- Always make sure that the cabbage is below the water level during the entire fermentation process.
- If the water level decreases during the fermentation process, you can make a brine and add it.
Let us watch this video from Kristina Seleshanko on how to make delicious Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar!
So there you have it! Making Lacto-fermented sauerkraut in a mason jar is as easy as slicing the cabbage into strips. Remember that as long it remains unopened, your sauerkraut can last for months. Best of all, you can partner this sauerkraut in many recipes.
What do you think of this homemade recipe? Share your best sauerkraut recipe in the comments section below!
Fellow homesteaders, do you want to help others learn from your journey by becoming one of our original contributors? Write for us!
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Self Sufficiency
9 SPRING VEGETABLES FOR YOUR GARDEN
Having plants in the house will bring peace to people. Having a little garden with vegetables is even better! You can grow these vegetables in your backyard garden easily as well!
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In this article:
Growing veggies in your garden will give you an opportunity to understand what you eat and value it more. Early spring is when most vegetables are being planted. Keep reading to learn about 9 spring vegetables that anyone can grow in their garden!
Tomato
Tomato is the most popular garden vegetable in the States! There are different varieties to choose from. Tomatoes need to be planted in early spring because they won’t survive a frost.
Because tomatoes are consumed daily, try adding them to your garden! They’re not difficult to grow either.
Eggplant
Eggplants are known to have low-calorie, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients. Plus, they are delicious! So why not plant them in your garden?
Eggplants shouldn’t be planted too early because they won’t be able to survive a frost. So you could consult an expert in your area before you plant your eggplants.
Beets
Beets are known to be a superfood for its various health benefits. They’re easier to grow in the garden, usually around late March or early April.
If the weather is always cool, beets will keep getting bigger and bigger. Once the weather starts to warm up, you’ll need to harvest them, or they’ll go to waste.
Spinach
Spinach is a delicious early spring veggie, and it’s also very beneficial for health. And it’s not difficult to grow spinach in your garden!
Spinach needs cold weather to grow. Getting spinach to grow is easy, but keeping it growing will require some extra care.
Pea
Peas are usually planted in late April. Peas will die in freezing temperatures, but they also won’t survive the heat either. So make sure you plant your peas in early spring.
Peas are widely used in many different ways, and there are different types of peas. The soil you’ll be planting your peas should be suitable for them, so make sure you ask while buying seeds.
Carrot
There are different types of carrots, but regardless of their size and color, it’s a fact that carrots are both delicious and rich in vitamins.
They’re root vegetables, so with proper sun and watering, they can be picked up as baby carrots as well.
Radish
A radish is an excellent option for beginners because it doesn’t require too much care. Radish is easy to harvest.
Radish grows fast, so it’s better to keep an eye on it after a few weeks. Radish usually is grown pest-free, but there’s always the chance of unwanted guests, so watch out for worms. Radish can be eaten raw or can be added to garnish recipes.
Cauliflower
Cauliflower isn’t the easiest vegetable to grow at home, but it is very popular.
Cauliflower grows better in colder weather, so before you plant it, consider the climate of your garden. Cauliflower can be eaten raw or cooked, and it is known to be very beneficial for health.
Asparagus
Freshly picked, tender asparagus is very delicious!
Asparagus plants get more productive with each harvest, and mature asparagus harvest can last for months! Make sure you plant them at the correct time, or else they might go to waste.
All the vegetables listed above are great for your healthy diet, and it’s fun to watch them grow. So don’t miss out on the opportunity to grow your own veggies and eat healthy this spring!
So tell us which veggies will you be growing this spring? Tell us in the comments section!
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