Basic Principles in Making Ointments

Basic Principles in Making Ointments
This document provides the principles in making ointments from plant derived
ingredients in a home setting, it being the instruction sheet used in the segment
on making ointments in the Medicinal Herb Seminars held at Pindari .
(161109)
Introduction
Ointments may be used as skin conditioners and as a means of treating skin

conditions, they are mostly simple to make with the base ingredients being
readily available.
Definitions
• Ointments are fatty preparations of a softer consistency than

waxes.
• Compound ointments are a mix of different oils and waxes
as the principle ingredients. They are generally much "greasier"
than creams and may be used for skin softening, skin protection, as
a water repellent and for the application of medications to the skin
surface.
• Waxes are generally solidified oils at room temperature.
Ingredients for ointment bases:
• Vegetable oils
As heat is used in the preparation of most ointments it is better to
choose more saturated oils that are stable to heat such as Coconut
and Olive oil to make the ointment base.
• Beeswax
White beeswax is chemically treated to clean and bleach it. Yellow
beeswax is filtered and has had the honey removed by washing in
water. Beeswax is added to the vegetable oils to "set" the oil giving
the ointment its consistency.
• Lard and other animal fats.
The use of lard (pig fat) and other animal fats has fallen out of
fashion, being mostly replaced by the more cosmetically acceptable
and readily available vegetable oils.
• Paraffins and other petroleum products.
These also have fallen out of favour but are still used in some
commercial creams such as Sorbolene cream.
Medications that may be added.

• Medicated oils - Herbs such as Calendula, Chamomile and St. Johns wort
may be infused into oils such as Olive and then used as the base oil or as
an additive. Detail of how to infuse oils with herbs is given in another
document on this web page.
• Jojoba oil - this is really a wax and may be added at around 5% to give the
ointment a "slip" texture that is useful for massage.
• Herbal tinctures - Approximately 5 -10% of the total weight can be
successfully added when the ointment is close to setting.
• Fragrant oils - Approximately 0.1 - 1% of the total weight can be added
when the ointment is close to setting.
• Antioxidants - These slow the oxidation of oils especially unsaturated oils
such as Sunflower, Almond and Safflower. They extend the shelf life of the
ointment. Examples of anti-oxidants are:
- Vitamin E oil (available as either oil capsules or in Wheat germ oil).
- Rosemary frond extract known commercially in Australia as "Amiox."
• Preservatives - Bacteria and yeasts (moulds) grow mostly in aqueous
mediums thus ointments generally do not require preservatives.
Quality and efficacy

The ingredients used in making an ointment directly influences its quality and
efficacy.
For optimum quality use:
• Cold pressed and virgin (un-processed) oils and waxes.

• Extracts made from fresh herbs.
• An added anti-oxidant.
Storage
Ointments containing unsaturated oils (omega 6 and especially omega 3) must

be kept away from light, air and kept cool. In warm to hot climates they are best
kept refrigerated. A batch number and the expiry date should be included on the
label.
Manufacturing procedure
General comments:
• Caution: Applying heat to oils and waxes should ONLY be achieved using
a water bath. Keep the oil mix away from direct heat especially naked
flame. Always have a suitable fire extinguisher and a wet blanket nearby.
• Medications should be added at the lowest possible temperature.
• It is easier to measure ingredients by weight using scales sensitive down
to 1gm rather than measuring by volume. This avoids ingredient loss to
the measuring vessels and clean up time. 10mL of a vegetable oil
approximates 9gm by weight.
• Suitable mixing vessels are either stainless or enamel, having straight
sides and an open pouring spout.
Steps
1. To make the ointment base, weigh out the oil and wax components into a
suitable stainless vessel and heat them by placing in a heated water bath.
Do this until they have just melted.
2. Remove from the bath and with stirring, allow the mix to cool until just
starting to set. This is indicated by thickening and a milky appearance.
You can encourage cooling by placing the mixing vessel in or over a cold-
water bath but use constant stirring and remove the set ointment from the
sides of the vessel, stirring it back into the liquid.
3. Have the other ingredients ready to be added directly by weighing into the
vessel or from separate measuring containers.
4. Place the mix back in the un-heated hot water bath to maintain a little heat
input and to the non-lumpy liquid ointment slowly and separately add the
aqueous/alcohol ingredients with vigorous stirring . Excessive heat will
evaporate alcohol leading to insoluble herb deposits in the ointment.
5. Then add the Rosemary antioxidant and infused essential oils slowly with
vigorous stirring.
6. Then add the fragrant essential oils with vigorous stirring.
7. Last add the Flax seed oil slowly and stir until the liquid mix is clear of
solids.
8. If lumps are still present, with vigorous stirring apply a little heat by
placing briefly in a gently heated water bath.
9. Remove the mixing vessel from any heat input and as the liquid ointment
starts to set it will increase in viscosity, go milky and start setting on the
sides.
10. When the liquid starts to go milky and thickens, wipe any moisture of the
bottom of the vessel and with stirring, pour into ready un-topped jars. Heat
the vessel gently in a little hot water bath heat to melt the remaining
ointment from the sides, wipe the water off and pour again.
11. When filling the jars, pour to "over fill" to allow for contraction of the
ointment as it sets.
12. Clean up is best facilitated by using paper towels to wipe the vessel clean
then wash well with very hot soapy water and if possible pour out onto the
soil rather tham down the sink when it can set. Rinse the vessels well to
remove any soap residues.
13. Keep notes on your process and prepare and apply a label............and
have fun!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Sample formulas:
A cosmetically acceptable, efficacious compound ointment is made with olive oil

and beeswax. Both these ingredients are reasonably stable to heat, are
inexpensive and readily available. They are easily used at home to make lip
salves and herbal ointments, formulas for which are given below. The proportion
of the beeswax added gives the ointment its consistency, a "solid" ointment
requiring around 20% beeswax and a softer ointment as little as 5%.
Calendula Ointment
Olive oil 30 gm
Infused Calendula
10 gm
flowers (in olive oil)
Yellow Beeswax (mp 62C) 10 gm
Fragrance (essential oil) 3 drops
Herbal LIP Balm
Olive oil 35 gm
Yellow Beeswax (mp 62C) 10 gm
Jojoba oil 0.5 mL (25 drops)
Flax seed oil 2mL (100 drops)
Rosemary extract (anti- 2 drops
oxidant)
St Johns wort infused
1mL (50 drops)
oil
Lavender oil 2 drops
Calendula tincture 2mL (100 drops)

Friars balsam tincture 2mL (100 drops)

Basic Principles in Making Ointments

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What are the main ingredients used in making ointments?

What are some examples of medications that can be added to ointments?

Basic Principles in Making Ointments

Ointments may be used as skin conditioners and as a means of treating skin

• Ointments are fatty preparations of a softer consistency than

Ingredients for ointment bases:

Medications that may be added.

Quality and efficacy

For optimum quality use:

• Cold pressed and virgin (un-processed) oils and waxes.

Ointments containing unsaturated oils (omega 6 and especially omega 3) must

A cosmetically acceptable, efficacious compound ointment is made with olive oil

Herbal LIP Balm

Calendula tincture 2mL (100 drops)

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