Ointments, the what , why and how.
Ointments have been around in one form or another for about two and a half thousand years.
Some very old ointments were built into animal fat such as goose grease....... Then they used mineral mixes and salt compounds which improved the smell, the texture and finally the shelf life.
Modern mass produced ointments tend to be produced with Petroleum based products, this worries me over the long term (always read the ingredient label and be informed).
But we now use plant materials and fractions and believe that this is more safe.
The mastery of ointment making is to understand the balance required to blend waxes, oils and water soluble plant extracts with the use of an emulsifier to achieve a smooth uniform ointment that is stickable to the skin, to fix the plant active in place.
The "old" definition of an ointment is a preparation with less than 20 percent water content usually and should store well without preservatives, if made properly and stored correctly. BUT over the past few months , I have reverted to making true ointments with 0% water content. Getting the correct balance right -spreadability v ease of use can take quite a few step trials to achieve ........and is is really worth doing, as greater shelf life and less testing is required, with greater safety, as in - no mold or bugs.
I have now switched back to using Ozokerite wax ( structure improver+) for some formulations, OK it is mineral component but is not a petroleum based product and is safer on the skin, but this has changed the balance of the ointment, so I had to fully reformulate and carry out step trials to achieve the result required . With bees wax on its own, tends to be too brittle in application, but with other waxes and fractions it works really well and produces a good ointment preparation., that can be left on the skin with vertually no problems or side effects.
Other waxes to consider ;- Coconut solids, Shea nut wax, Cocoa butter, each of these has a different melting points , so allowing different applications and uses, there are many other waxes of personal choice + multi-combinations that can have varied applicational uses. I have just built a new" Calendula and Honey true ointment......................and it a clever mix that does the job required.
I must admit that certain ointments stay popular with our patients, such as Russian, Larcal (North American Indian), Hypericum and Calendula and both as singles, drawing ointments, Ginger and Sweet Birch and quite a few old fashioned preparations that have been in use over the last 200 years. But nowadays a lot of companies and specialist makers just are not interested or do not have the expertise any longer. So with time a lot of ointments are going to disappear, some of this will have been brought on by the implementation of the 2011 EU Directive and THR LICENSING, as some small companies just cannot afford the Licence costs and all of the extra production implications.
When lecturing, I try to get those interested in making ointments to understand that you really need to be in the right frame of mind , the "that will do" attitude never achieves the best results. Passion and interest are the best way to build the best ointments or creams. With a reminder of the great masters comment,"you never know until you really try, then you really know. - Lao Tzu.