Japan wax
Japan Wax
Japan wax (/dʒəˈpæn wæks/), also known as sumac wax or vegetable wax, is a type of wax derived from the berries of the Rhus and Toxicodendron genera of sumac trees, predominantly found in Japan.
Etymology
The term "Japan wax" is derived from the country of its origin, Japan. The wax is extracted from the berries of sumac trees, which are native to Japan. The term "sumac" is derived from the Arabic word "summaq", meaning "red", referring to the color of the berries.
Production
Japan wax is a byproduct of the process of extracting juice from the sumac berries. The berries are crushed and heated to separate the wax, which is then refined and solidified. The resulting product is a soft, brittle, yellowish wax with a slightly fatty odor.
Uses
Japan wax is primarily used in the production of candles, polishes, and cosmetics. It is also used in the food industry as a coating for fruits and vegetables, and in the pharmaceutical industry as a base for ointments and suppositories.
Related Terms
- Wax: A general term for a class of chemical compounds that are plastic near ambient temperatures.
- Sumac: A genus of flowering plants in the cashew family, Anacardiaceae.
- Rhus: A genus of about 150 species of shrubs and small trees in the cashew family, Anacardiaceae.
- Toxicodendron: A genus of in the sumac family, Anacardiaceae, including poison ivy, poison oak, and poison sumac.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Japan wax
- Wikipedia's article - Japan wax
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