Candelilla wax comes from the leaves of the Candelilla shrub (Euphorbia cerifera). Food makers use it as a coating for candies, fruits, and supplements. Cosmetic companies add it as a thickener or binder.
You won't find candelilla wax sold as a stand-alone supplement. It works behind the scenes as an inactive ingredient in tablet coatings and capsule shells, giving them a smoother look or shielding the contents. The wax offers no nutritional value or direct health benefit.
Safety: The FDA classifies candelilla wax as generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for its intended uses. Consuming a large quantity could upset your stomach, but normal use makes that unlikely. Allergic reactions happen rarely.