Easy Everyday Skin Care With Healing Ointments

The history of ointments or salves is as old as mankind. They were at one time a cornerstone of the economic life of various regions, most famously in the ancient town of Ein Gedi, which we know today as Gilead. The cultural references to the “Balm of Gilead” are numerous and very well known, not only because of Biblical references, but because the Balm of Gilead worked well.

The oldest of ointments were made using a fat base such as wool fat, olive oil, goose grease, or some other type of animal fat. People soon discovered that by infusing herbs into the fat, the healing properties of the herbs would be absorbed by the fat. Thus the first healing salves were developed and proved to be both soothing to the skin and to advance healing.

In the home, the use of an antiseptic or healing salve can accelerate the healing process. The best products will provide comfort as well as having antiseptic properties The healing ability of the ointments are dependent on the type of active ingredients within the ointment. Astringent herbs, like witch hazel and wild garlic, will add that property to the healing balm; astringents can help reduce bleeding. Herbs such as elderberry or peach will soften and soothe dry, cracked skin.

Antiseptic ointments came into their heyday after the pioneering work of Dr. Joseph Lister in 1867. Pasteur had established that germs led to disease. Lister built on that work by developing a phenol solution which he used to disinfect surgery centers and wounds. This process was so successful that the use of phenols to kill bacteria became widely accepted and had widespread use. Phenols were added to healing ointments to produce a product that did more than just soothe: it killed bacteria and helped prevent infection.

Common skin irritations are a part of every day life. Many of these minor irritations can be cared for by the use of these types of ointments. These irritations include, but are not limited to, bruises, sunburns, chapping, minor burns or blistering, and minor cuts and wounds. To care for these minor irritations, begin by cleaning the skin. Use warm water and a mild soap. Always dry gently with a clean towel afterward. Then apply the healing balm to the site, taking care to get an even distribution of the ointment. Allow the heat of the skin to melt the ointment and time for the healing salve to absorb into the skin.

By: Vincent Platania USA

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