You make plant wax by boiling certain parts of a plant, typically the fruit, allowing the liquid to cool, and then collecting the solidified wax.
Extracting Plant Wax: A Simple Method
Plant wax is a natural substance found on the surfaces of many plants, offering protection from water loss, insects, and diseases. Extracting this wax, especially from parts rich in it like fruits, can be done through a relatively simple process.
The primary method involves using heat and the different densities of water and wax.
Step-by-Step Extraction
Here is a breakdown of how plant wax is commonly obtained:
- Boiling the Plant Material: The wax is obtained by boiling the plant. To maximize the yield, often only the fruit is used, which tends to have the greatest quantity of wax on its surface or within its structure. Boiling melts the wax, separating it from the plant material.
- Cooling the Liquid: After boiling, the mixture is allowing the liquid to cool. As the temperature drops, the wax begins to solidify. Since wax is less dense than water, it will typically float on the surface.
- Removing the Solidified Wax: The solidified wax is then removing the wax as it solidifies. This can often be done by carefully skimming the wax layer off the surface of the cooled liquid.
What Happens Next?
Once the crude wax is collected, it can be further processed or used directly. The reference notes a common application:
- The wax can then be re-heated and formed into candles. This indicates the wax can be melted again and poured into molds for candle making or used in other applications requiring solid wax.
This method provides a basic way to harvest natural waxes from plants for various uses.
