Pike Herb Company 58 Tunnel Road Pottsville, PA 17901

Making Ointments

When the properties of medicinal herbs are associated with essential oils, an oil extract is used to concentrate the herbs properties.

Ointments and oils sooth and nourish the skin, delivering the medicinal properties of the herbs in the oil.

To make a simple ointment:

8 ounce lard by weight
2 ounce beeswax
2 ounces fresh herbs (1 ounce dried herbs)

1. Simmer 2 ounces of fresh herbs, or 1 ounce of finely chopped dried herbs, in 8 ounces of pure lard, or vegetable fat and 2 ounces of beeswax for 10-15 minutes.

2. Strain through a fine sieve or cloth. (For a double strength ointment, add another measure of herbs to the strained ointment, and re-simmer.

3. Pour into a jar and let cool before storing.