Unguentum | Ointment

An unguentum, or ointment, is a semi-solid external preparation made by combining herbal substances with a fatty base. Unlike creams or lotions, ointments contain no water and rely entirely on oils, fats, and waxes to deliver medicinal properties to the skin. This composition makes them particularly suitable for protection, softening, and prolonged contact, allowing herbal constituents to act slowly and steadily.

Historically, ointments were among the most important forms of topical medicine, valued for their stability, portability, and ability to shield damaged or vulnerable skin while supporting healing beneath the surface.

Principle and Composition

Ointments are created by thickening an infused oil with a solid fat, butter or wax, most commonly beeswax. The oil carries the plant’s medicinal properties, while the wax provides structure and creates a protective layer on the skin.

This combination was understood to:

• Preserve warmth and moisture

• Prevent contamination of wounds

• Moderate the action of strong herbs

• Extend the useful life of the remedy

Because they exclude water, ointments were less prone to spoilage and well suited to long-term storage.

Traditional Ointment Preparation

Ingredients

• One cup infused herbal oil, such as olive, almond, or coconut oil

• One quarter cup beeswax, grated or in pellets

• Optional aromatic additions

• A double boiler or heatproof vessel over simmering water

• Clean glass jars or tins for storage

Method

• Warm the infused oil gently using a double boiler.

• Add the beeswax and stir until fully melted and combined.

• Remove from heat and add any aromatic substances, if used.

• Pour into clean containers and allow to cool until solid.

• Store in a cool, dark place.

Traditionally prepared ointments could remain usable for many months if kept clean and protected from heat.

Historical Medical Context

Ointments appear throughout recorded medical history.

• In ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman medicine, they were used for burns, wounds, and chronic skin conditions.

• Medieval European herbalists prepared unguents with comfrey, plantain, and calendula to support tissue repair and prevent infection.

• In both European and Indigenous medical traditions, ointments were applied to joints, muscles, and inflamed skin as part of routine care.

They were considered especially appropriate when the skin was broken, irritated, or in need of sustained protection.

Domestic and Therapeutic Use

Within the household, ointments served as versatile remedies.

Common applications included:

• Soothing dry, cracked, or inflamed skin

• Supporting the healing of minor wounds and abrasions

• Reducing swelling and bruising

• Relieving muscle stiffness and joint discomfort

Their occlusive nature allowed the remedy to remain in place, making ointments particularly effective for overnight use or under bandaging.

Folklore and Traditional Belief

In folk tradition, ointments were often regarded as more than practical remedies. Because they were applied directly to the body, they were thought to confer protection as well as healing.

Beliefs surrounding ointments included:

• The warding of harmful influences

• The sealing of the body against misfortune

• The transmission of inherited knowledge through preparation and use

Certain unguents were reserved for specific moments such as illness, childbirth, or travel, reinforcing their role in household ritual life.

Ritual and Magical Associations

Ointments also appear in historical accounts of ritual and magical practice.

• Specially prepared unguents were used for anointing the body, tools, or thresholds.

• In early modern European folklore, so-called flying ointments were associated with visionary experience and spirit travel, often involving dangerous plants and requiring careful handling.

• Protective ointments made with herbs such as St. John’s wort or rosemary were applied before ceremonial or ritual activity.

These uses reflect a symbolic extension of the ointment’s practical function, emphasizing contact, absorption, and transformation.

Unguentum represents one of the most enduring forms of external medicine. Combining herbal knowledge with simple materials, ointments provided a means to protect, soothe, and restore the body through sustained contact and careful preparation.

Whether used for everyday care or invested with symbolic meaning, ointments illustrate a long-standing understanding of healing as something achieved through touch, patience, and continuity, rather than immediate intervention alone.