Ointment making at home

Basic infused oil

Prepare Fresh herb (– e. g. Rose petals ); dried herbs are also ideal

·         Oil: almond, sunflower, (light) olive, soya, or other

·         Fill clean preserving jar with herb; amount used will determine the strength of oil; pack down for stronger oily

·         Pour oil to cover herbs and seal jar

·         Leave on a sunny windowsill unopened for 3 weeks at least; shake every day or so

·         Strain through muslin or jelly bag, pour into (dark) glass bottle, label and date

Keeps for up to 12 months

Ointments and balms are oil / wax based (80-100%). The basic difference between an ointment and a balm is its consistency: an ointment will be more liquid than a balm because less beeswax or other “stiffening” agent (e.g. plant butter or wax) is used. Ointments and balms are applied externally to the skin or mucous membranes to soften, moisturize or protect, or as a way of delivering active medicinal ingredients via these tissues.

Ointment 1

This method is based on emulsifying ointment and glycerol.Another alternative is simply to use Vaseline alone.

•      Weigh dried herb, or prepare fresh herb before weighing;

•      Melt 60g emulsifying ointment in Pyrex jug or bowl placed in a pan half filled with water on a low heat on a water bath.

•      Add 27 ml glycerol, 30 ml water and 12 g herbs

•      Simmer on low heat for 3 hours, stirring occasionally

•      Top up the water in a Bain Marie (water bath) as required

•      While still hot, strain through muslin or clean jelly bag into glass bowl (muslin is a type of cotton cloth)

•      Allow to cool, stirring frequently

•      Using a palette knife or small spatula, scoop into sterilized dark glass jars (small jars), ensuring that there are no air bubbles.

Label and date; ointment will work upto 2 years.