Chinese wax 3500536 222364731 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]]