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University of Würzburg Honeybee Online Studies

HOBOS (HoneyBee Online Studies ) is a Würzburg honeybees project, developed by Prof. Dr. Jürgen Tautz since 2006 as an interactive teaching concept and forwards. Worldwide over the Internet, each with micro-chips equipped bees and follow the inner workings of a beehive, and numerous readings from the environment (weather, vegetation, soil). So many people show for the important aspects of ecology. Several sponsors assist HOBOS. Her Royal Highness Princess Basmabint Ali of Jordan represented as patron HOBOS. The sustainable non-profit project has already received several awards including the UNESCO."

""The acquisition of wax and honey is not the main purpose of beekeeping, [...]. The main purpose is the pollination of flowers and the encouragement of higher yields. The state ought to maintain an army of bees. "Christian Conrad Sprengel (1750-1816) became the founder of modern flower biology. She was the first to understand the function of bees and other insects in the pollination process. Unfortunately, his achievements were not recognized during his lifetime. Until the 19 th century the idea of self-pollination was quiet widespread (Spürgin (1996)).
Until this day, only a minority of people has truly understood the work that honeybees perform every day. Each third bite of food we ingest either directly or indirectly depends on pollination by bees."


Why Beeswax is Better

Products of the hive have been used for thousands of years 
and it is no surprise to the Bees or the Beekeepers!!

Why is Beeswax  better for handcream and lipgloss?
According to  Lance Armstrong's Livestrong website-
It is because  it makes creams thicker, it offers anti inflammatory, antibacterial  and anti viral benefits.  Beeswax also  acts as an emollient and humectant, drawing moisture to the skin, and sealing it in..  It also contains Vitamin A.   
 Beeswax melts at 145 'F so it is best not to heat it too high , esp so that ou do not use the benefits of the fresh product. The sun is really all that you need.
 It also has  a wonderful fragrance that comes from the bees themselves.
Candles Made with Beeswax are  wonderful and are smokeless in comparison to others and  have a wonderful natural scent fo the hive.
Support the Bees and the Beekeepers- choose beeswax!


Up Close and Personal

Amazing Macro Images of our favorite Pollinators!


Want to Make Your Own Lip Gloss and Hand Cream?

It is all in the choice of ingredients...

 ( top left clockwise to the right)
Queen's comb old wax- from our  hives,
Fresh lemon colored wax from Blood River Honey Hives,
Aged beeswax from RI Art supplysource,
 Fresh comb harvested form our hives and unused comb starter wax,
 and microcrystallin cosmetic grade beeswax
( also sold at art stores foro encaustic painting.)
There are many many recipes and sources out there.
 I started with a recipe that I found on Lance Armstrong's Live Strong website:
It relies heavily on products of the hive: honey &  beeswax.
Then  the oil of your choice, all melted and whipped.
Here is a recipe for Hand cream:
I have made several  batches and find that equal weights of  beeswax to oil for lip gloss is better
and a measure of 2 parts oils to 1 part beeswax is better for hand creams.
I use 1/2 olive oil and 1/2 mixed oils of either Shea butter, almond oil ,  coconut oil  or even cocoa butter.
Sometimes I aadd honey, and sometimes I don't and  I always add  a tiny bit of vitamin E.
It really is a matter of preference as to how waxy, creamy,  and fragrant you want the cream on your skin.

I also have used less oil and more wax  to make lotion bars, although the packaging is nice, the end product is not something easily put into your purse or backpack. It saves the maker on packaging materials, but the end user is stuck trying to figure out where to put it once it is opened.  It doesn't work well in a purse with techno devices either.., think melted chocolate bar.. and a warm cell phone... eeew!
But they are easy to make and kids love to make them since they are a lot like making cookies.
Mold are easy enough to come by- chocolate and cooking molds work well. esp. silicon.
What is important to remember also is that  I always keep any products that I use for lotion products separate from any cooking materials. Same goes for the mini crock pots to warm the ingredients.
I keep all of those, spoons and sieves, just for that.  They are cleaned and stored out of the kitchen.
Some people are fortunate enough to have an ample supply of beeswax, and of the most lovely yellow color. Queens comb is a bit darker,  but makes a great product and the smell is naturally divine!

If you have fresh herbs, you can set your oils in the sun with the herbs and infuse the oil with them prior to making the hand cream.. instead of using essential oils. Saves money and just takes a little time. Rosemary works very well. There are lots of different waxes available to purchase if you don't have your own.  Same with oils. It is all a matter of personal choice and what you and your skin prefer!

 here are a few more links for you to consider:

This site has lots of  recipes..