Tree Resin

SuperBee Beeswax Wraps are made from a few simple ingredients: 100% GOTS certified organic cotton, sustainable harvested beeswax, organic coconut oil, and tree resin. While you’re most likely familiar with the the first three ingredients, you might be wondering, “what exactly is tree resin?” (and, “why would I want it touching my food?”).

Sap and tree resin

If you’re conjuring an image of sticky tree sap, you’re on the right track. Tree resin is a fluid (Sap) produced by plants (most commonly trees); however, sap and tree resins are not the same thing. Sap is generally a watery, sugary substance, while resin is thicker and stickier. Well known resins are Frankincense, Myrrh, Benzoin or Copal.

Antimicrobial

Similar to beeswax, resin is heralded for its antimicrobial and anti-fungal properties which makes it antibacterial . Resins do not dissolve in water; they harden when exposed to air and melt when exposed to heat.

Before 1700 BC

Humans have used resins for thousands of years. The history of resin can be traced to before 1700 BC during the Bronze Age! People used resin as adhesives and medicines. Because tree resin is waterproof, ship builders often used it to seal boats, ropes and tarps.

Other usage of tree resin

Today we still use tree resin in many ways. It’s used as a sealant, rosin for the bows of string instruments, and even used in soaps. You can also use it for wilderness survival in emergency situations, including the treatment of wounds, stopping bleeding and soothing rashes.

Burning incense, especially the burning of tree resin, has been known throughout the history as a sacred activity.

And, of course, also here at SuperBee we use tree resin as an essential part in our handmade secret mixture for beeswax wraps. It gives the right amount of stickiness to our award-winning beeswax wraps and food bags.