How to make an ointment

= Preparing lotions and ointments is easy and economical, requiring few ingredients and no specialist materials.=

== Beeswax ointment==

1. Place 50ml of sunflower oil and 15g of grated beeswax into a heatproof bowl.

2. In a separate bowl, place 50ml of strained herbal infusion of decoction. Place both bowls in a roasting tin and fill it with water, ensuring that the water does not overflow into the bowls.

3. Place the tin in a hot oven. When the water boils, turn down the heat. Remove the tin after the beeswax melts.

4. Allow to cool slightly for easier handling. Slowly pour the infusion into the oil and wax, whisking with a hand whisk or blender. Pour into screw top, dark glass jars.

== Herbal lotion==

1. Place 10g of grated or finely chopped beeswax and 100ml of unrefined olive oil into a heatproof basin.

2. Place the bowl in a pan of water. Gently bring the water to the boil and let it simmer, stirring occasionally, until the beeswax melts.

3. Allow the mixture to cool slightly before adding 5-10g of chopped herbs to the ointment.

4. Pour the mixture into screw-top, sterilized, dark glass jars before the ointment sets.

5. Wait until the mixture cools before tightening the lids.

== How to make a healing calendula ointment==

1. Pour 450ml of extra virgin olive oil onto 400g of your chosen herbal ingredient, for example dried marigold flowers, rosemary of thyme. Mix them together in a large glass bowl.

2. Stand the mixing bowl in a roasting tin filled with water. Place the tin in an oven preheated to 400 degrees C for approximately two hours.

3. After this, cover the mixture with a tea towel or lid and allow it to stand in a warm place, such as an airing cupboard, for a week. Strain the mixture, retaining the liquid.

4. Gently heat 30g of beeswax in a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water until the wax has melted.

5. Slowly pour the strained herbal oil into the melted wax and combine the two. Pour the ointment into screw top, sterilized, dark glass jars.