Homemade Antibacterial Ointment
How to make your own natural first-aid antibacterial ointment. Since this COVID-19 pandemic began, commerce has significantly slowed and in some instances, it’s even stopped altogether. Many aspects of human life have been negatively impacted. Among them: everyday food items and their availability. Luckily, one can usually find basic ingredients, and use those to DIY into everyday staples.
All that is needed is some basic tools, a simple recipe, and a little knowledge of crafting techniques. On this post I’m sharing with you a free recipe and how-to instruction for making your own first-aid staples. Including tips for going zero-waste and plastic-free.
In my home, I have put together multiple small first-aid kits and I keep one in each of the bathrooms, one in the kitchen, and one in each of the cars. I usually buy a few big boxes of band-aids, but I prefer to DIY when it comes to other items, like antibacterial ointment.
Beeswax (see my post on the benefits of local honey), coconut oil and many kinds of essential oils possess antibacterial qualities, and can help speed the healing process of shallow cuts, scrapes, bumps, and bruises. Today I’ll show you how you can combine these healing ingredients to make an all natural healing ointment that you can use all year long.
How to Make an Antibacterial Ointment
Ingredients
- 4 Tbsp. beeswax pastilles or pellets (even shavings from a beeswax candle will do in a pinch)
- 1 Tbsp. witch hazel
- ½ cup coconut oil
- 15 drops Tea Tree essential oil
- 10 drops lavender essential oil
Supplies
- Small metal bowl
- Small saucepan
- Kitchen hand towel
- Hand mixer
- Airtight glass container
Directions
- Fill a saucepan with a few inches of water and place on your stovetop.
- Bring to a simmer.
- Place beeswax and coconut oil in the bowl, and place bowl over pan of simmering water, creating a makeshift double boiler.
- When the beeswax and coconut oil have melted remove the bowl from the stovetop.
- Lay a kitchen towel on your countertop and place the bowl on top.
- Add the essential oils to the beeswax and coconut oil mixture and stir with a hand mixer.
- Add the witch hazel to the bowl and stir again.
- For a smooth consistency, blend the mixture with hand mixer on high speed for at least 30 seconds.
- Spoon the finished ointment into an airtight glass jar or repurposed container.
Store away from direct heat and sunlight.
Using Your Homemade Antibacterial Ointment
Use a cotton swab to apply a small amount of the mixture to scrapes and other superficial wounds. If the wound is recent, you may want to cover it with a bandage, as well. Apply the mixture a couple of times a day until the wound has dried and scabbed over.
A Few Helpful Tips
To avoid contaminating your ointment, always apply it using a cotton swab or a clean tissue, rather than using your fingers.
This ointment is great for adults and older children, but younger children may experience skin sensitivity with essential oils. If the ointment will be used on children, you can leave out the essential oils entirely. Coconut oil possesses antibacterial qualities on its own and is less likely to irritate delicate skin.
Source and photo credit:
Natural First-Aid Antibacterial Ointment
https://www.onegoodthingbyjillee.com/homemade-first-aid-ointment/
Jill Nystul, April 23, 2017
@byjillee