Beeswax, also known as honeycomb wax, yellow wax, and white wax, is mentioned in the book "Shennong Bencao Jing". It is a wax produced by bees in the family Apis cerana Fabricius and other bees, which is then refined into solid blocks. In spring and autumn, the honey is removed from the honeycomb, melted in spring water, and heated, removing any foam impurities. It is then filtered while hot, allowed to cool and solidify on the surface of the water, and finally taken out, becoming yellow wax. It is further processed through refining and bleaching to become white wax.
【Processing Method】"Shou Shi Bao Yuan": "Pound it into water to remove impurities." "Compendium of Materia Medica": "After refining the honey, filter it into water and wait for it to solidify, then take it out." Currently, the raw material is taken, an appropriate amount of water is added, heated until melted, impurities are filtered out, cooled, and the solidified material on the surface is dried.
【Appearance of the Medicinal Slice】It is irregularly shaped, with varying sizes, opaque or slightly transparent, smooth surface, and greasy texture. It is lightweight and waxy, able to float on the water. When cold, it is soft and brittle, with a sandy texture when broken, and can be softened by kneading. It has a honey-like fragrance, a slightly sweet taste, a delicate texture when chewed, and sticks together without breaking. Yellow wax is yellowish-white, yellow, or light yellow-brown, while white wax is white, relatively pure, harder, and has a weaker odor.
【Processing Properties】Beeswax has a sweet and mild taste, and is neutral in nature. It enters the spleen, stomach, and large intestine meridians. It has the functions of detoxification, promoting tissue regeneration, stopping diarrhea, stopping bleeding, and relieving pain. It is used for carbuncles and furuncles on the back, non-healing ulcers, severe heart pain, bloody diarrhea, prolonged diarrhea, bleeding during pregnancy, spermatorrhea, and excessive vaginal discharge. Examples include the Amber Wax Alum Pill for treating carbuncles and furuncles on the back ("Surgery Authentic"), the White Wax Ointment for treating ulcers after suppuration ("Shen Shi Zunsheng Book"), the Qi-Regulating Drink for treating red and white dysentery and unbearable lower abdominal pain ("Synopsis of the Golden Chamber"), the Wax Wine Formula for treating fetal movement, abdominal pain, and bleeding ("The Complete Collection of Shengji"), and the Wax Alum Pill for treating various types of carbuncles and toxin ("Medical Integration").
