Chinese wax
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2008-06-28T23:31:13Z
PlankBot
7310603
Robot-assisted disambiguation: Worms - Changed link(s) to [[Worm]]
'''Chinese wax''' is a white to yellowish-white, gelatinous, [[Crystal|crystalline]] water-insoluble substance obtained from the [[wax]] secreted by certain insects.
It resembles [[spermaceti]] but is harder, more [[friable]], and with a higher melting point. It is deposited on the branches of certain trees by the scale insect ''[[Ceroplastes ceriferus]]'', common in [[China]] and [[India]], or a related [[scale insect]], ''[[Ericerus pela]]'', of China and [[Japan]]. The insects and their secretions are harvested and boiled with water to extract the raw wax. The insect bodies, which settle to the bottom, are used as food for [[swine]].
==Uses==
Chinese wax is used chiefly in the manufacture of polishes, sizes, and [[candles]].
In [[China]] the wax has been employed medicinally. Taken internally, it has been used as a [[remedy]] for [[hoarseness]], [[Pain|pain]], [[worm]]s, [[nervousness]], and to aid the mending of broken [[bone]]s. Externally, it has been used as an [[ointment]] for treatment of [[wounds]].
==Other names==
Other names of ''Chinese wax'' include:
*''Chinese tree wax''
*''Chinese insect wax''
*''insect wax''
{{Unreferenced|date=January 2008}}
[[Category:Waxes]]
[[Category:Traditional Chinese medicine]]
[[cs:Čínský vosk]]