Traditional Ointments

In Naxos, I came across these traditional ointments made from oil, beeswax, and herbs. I love making my own oils, creams, cleansers, etc., but I've been lazy lately. However, now the inspiration is back. I bought two ointments: one with aloe and one with St. John’s wort (which I will go into more depth about later). I've been getting a bit burnt from the sun and getting cuts on my legs from the rocky ocean water, so the aloe and St. John’s wort are helping with healing.

Here’s a base recipe to make your own:

• Olive oil (or another carrier oil) - 240 ml

• Beeswax - 28 grams

• Dried herbs (such as thyme, sage, or rosemary, st. john’s wort) - 15 grams

• Optional: Essential oils for added fragrance or medicinal properties - 10-20 drops

You will need a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, sterilized jars or tins for storing the ointment, and a spoon or spatula for stirring.

First, you have to infuse the oil. The traditional way is to cover the herbs with olive oil (or oil of choice) and let them sit in the sun for 2-3 weeks.

The quick way is to add the dried herbs and olive oil to the top of a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water. Stir to ensure the herbs are fully submerged in the oil. Gently heat the mixture on low heat. You want the oil to get warm but not boil. The ideal temperature is between 40-50°C. Keep the mixture at this temperature for 2-3 hours. Stir occasionally to ensure even infusion.

Remove the mixture from the heat and let it cool slightly.

Strain the herbs out of the oil using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Make sure to squeeze out as much oil as possible from the herbs.

Once you have your infused oil, you can proceed to mix it with melted beeswax to create your ointment.

I like to add Vitamin E oil to my blends as a preservative, and it's also great for the skin.

You could also add coconut oil or shea butter, substitute part of the olive oil with these for a boost of moisture.