Mom (Beeswax): A Comprehensive Review Integrating Unani and Contemporary Medicines
Keywords:
Apis mellifera, Beeswax,, MomAbstract
Mom or Beeswax (Cera alba) is a natural secretion of honeybees (Apis mellifera, Apis cerana) that serves as both a pharmaceutical excipient and therapeutic agent in Unani and contemporary medicine. Classical Unani texts describe Mom (also called Qairoos) as Harr 2 Yābis and Raṭb Mu‘tadil. It possesses diverse ethnomedicinal properties, including Mulayyin (emollient), Muhallil (resolvent of swellings), and Mudammil (wound-healing), properties. It is recommended to use it in topical preparations such as Marham and Qairooti. Modern analyses confirm beeswax’s complex chemical composition, consisting mainly of esters, hydrocarbons, and free fatty acids and its notable physicochemical stability. Pharmacological investigations substantiate its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial, gastroprotective, and wound- healing activities. Preclinical experiments using burn wounds and antimicrobial models validate its traditional applications. Clinical evidence includes randomised placebo-controlled trials of D-002 (Abexol), a purified beeswax-alcohol preparation, demonstrating symptomatic relief in osteoarthritis and gastroprotective effects. Pilot clinical studies confirming the safety and efficacy of honey, olive oil and beeswax mixtures in haemorrhoids and anal fissures. The convergence of Unani doctrine and modern biomedical evidence highlights beeswax’s dual role as a therapeutic agent and formulation base, supporting its continued clinical and formulation research.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Dr Rahnuma Anjum, Dr. Arshiya Sultana, Dr Shahla Anjum, Dr Zya Shireen, Dr Farhat quamar (Author)
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