Ointment

Co-authored by Lisa Bryant, ND Last Updated: September 15, 2021 References

Antibacterial ointment can be a great way to keep minor cuts clean and prevent infections. Store-bought varieties like Neosporin are the most popular ones, but you might be curious if you can make your own at home with natural ingredients. Unfortunately, doctors really don’t recommend making your own ointment, and it probably won’t be as effective as a store-bought type. If you do need antibacterial cream, it’s best to buy a prepared type from a pharmacy instead. If you’d like to try making your own, the process is pretty simple, so you can give it a shot and see if it works for you.

While doctors don’t recommend making your own antibacterial ointments, there are several natural ingredients that have antibacterial properties and could make good additions to a homemade cream. If you’d like to make your own, then you can follow these simple steps to whip up a homemade ointment. This recipe comes from bloggers and is not approved by doctors or any agencies like the FDA, so make sure you use it with caution.

Put coconut oil,[1] castor oil, [2] and beeswax[3] into a double boiler. Each of these ingredients has antibacterial properties and could help prevent infections. They also make a good base for your ointment. Add 1/2 cup (120 ml) of coconut oil, 1/2 cup (120 ml) of castor oil, and 1 oz (28 g) of beeswax into a double boiler.[4]

Each of these ingredients is available from most supermarkets or health food stores.

A double boiler is important because if you put the oils over a direct flame, they might burn. Make sure you fill the bottom section with water or it won’t work.

Petroleum jelly also has wound-healing properties and can help protect your skin.[5] You could swap out coconut oil with this for your ointment base.[6]

Melt the oils in the boiler. Put the double boiler onto your stove and turn on a medium flame. Leave the boiler there and let all of the ingredients melt down. Keep the flame on until everything in the pan is completely liquid.[7]

Turn the heat down and add essential oils. Once the coconut, castor, and beeswax are all liquid, turn the heat to a low setting. Then add 10-20 drops each of lavender and lemon essential oil to round off your ointment.[8] As an added bonus, these oils will give your ointment a nice smell too.

Both lavender[9] and lemon essential oils[10] seem effective as antibacterials, according to studies.

Add honey to the mixture for more antibacterial benefits. Honey is well-known as an antibacterial ingredient and also shows some success in helping wounds heal.[11] If you’d like to make your ointment stronger, add 1-2 tbsp (21 g) to the mixture. Stir the mixture together. Once all your ingredients are added, take a spoon or a whisk and stir everything together well. Make sure the whole mixture is combined smoothly.[12]

Let the ointment cool for 2-3 hours. Once the ointment is mixed well, turn the flame off and leave it to cool. Within 2-3 hours, it should be cool enough for you to start using.[13] The mixture will probably harden and get a bit waxy when it’s cool. This is normal. Store the ointment in a cool place. This ointment is sensitive to heat and could melt if it gets hot. Store it in a cool spot out of direct sunlight. This should keep the ointment fresh and ready to use.[14]

If the ointment does melt, move it to a cooler spot and it should harden again soon.

Keep an eye on the ointment for any signs of it spoiling, like a rancid smell or mold. Get rid of it if you see these signs. Stop using the ointment if you experience any negative side effects. Even if you do everything right, there's still always a chance that you'll have a skin reaction to the ointment.[15] If you experience any redness, swelling, itching, or burning after you apply the ointment, then stop using it immediately. If the rash doesn't go away, contact your doctor for an exam. Whether you make your own ointment or use a store-bought type, there are still some safety tips you should follow to use it properly. This is especially important if you made your own ointment. Stick with all the recommended first-aid directions if you do get any cuts to keep the wound clean and avoid infections. If your cut isn’t healing well or you see signs of an infection, then visit your doctor for a checkup.

https://www.wikihow.com/Make-Antibacterial-Ointment-at-Home