We were recently hosted by Morien and Constance at their home for a fun ointment making workshop. Morien and Constance, spying the vast quantities of plantain growing around them were reminded of an article from the Summer 1999 issue of Tournaments Illuminated entitled "Making Ointment" by Sherry D. Wallace. When they offered to host this workshop of course we couldn't refuse! Everyone loves to be anointed!

Constance and Morien provided the kitchen, pots and measuring implements, straining material, plantain, lavender, olive oil and paraffin. Lia brought additional lavender, lemon balm, chamomile, and some bonus sage because it was available. I brought some rendered beeswax and also some purchased beeswax. Constance also prepared a digest detailing the endowments of the herbs we were planning on using that day.

Three varieties of ointment were chosen for our experimentation: lavender, plantain, and a lemon balm/chamomile combination.

Using the ointment article as our guideline we first measured three batches of eight ounces of the beeswax using the water displacement method.

This was placed into the tops of the three double boilers and melted.

We also added a bit of paraffin to bulk out the mix. A tablespoon or two of olive oil was also added to this mixture.

After the wax was melted, one ounce of the appropriate dried herb was added to each pot.

We are then advised to let it simmer for two hours, or until the herbs are crisp, stirring occasionally. I very much enjoyed this time due to the soothing and anticipatory bubbling cauldron aura. The death by chocolate brownies didn't hurt either.

During this time we enjoyed perusing Constance and Morien's herb books and reviewing the digest Constance prepared for us. We also occupied this time by preparing spiffy labels, cleaning out baby food jars and attempting to feed Boudrou the "chicken dinner" paste. Additionally we were treated to a demonstration of Morien's nasal directional abilities as he put crayons up his nose and expelled them for the children's entertainment. (Of course I wouldn't exaggerate such things!)

As the concoctions were bubbling away we checked on them now and then. I'd never really smelled chamomile before and was delightfully surprised to find it smelled rather like apple flavored oatmeal. The lemon balm went nicely with it. The lavender was pleasant as always, but the plantain just smelled like the farmer mowed his field, although the color was a beautiful green. We decided at the last minute to use a bit of the sage to jazz it up little.

Before we knew it two hours had passed and it was time to strain the concoctions. Constance had originally procured small muslin bags to use, but when she put on her thick rubber gloves there was not enough finger room. Ever industrious, she switched to a dollar store panty hose leg and we were in business. The herb matter was retained in the panty hose while the hot wax flowed through.

The wax was then poured into the containers to cool.

We repeated this straining process for the remaining two batches, using fresh straining material each time. We were concerned about the probable hardness of the blends and decided to add a few tablespoons more olive oil at the last minute to soften things up. After the ointment cooled a little while we put our lids on and labeled our containers.

Some days later, I speculated to myself that this left over mash might be formed into balls to use as pomanders. Another item for my to try list.

By the time we arrived home our ointments were truly "done."

Overall I think this was a successful experiment; it certainly was fun. However, we did note a few variances from the original instructions. First, the article calls for "soft beeswax." Beeswax, by it's nature, is hard. Indeed this is one of its quality characteristics. Also, the instructions said to let the herbs boil two hours or until crisp. The herbs never came anywhere near what I'd call "crisp." The instructions also said to add a few drops of olive oil to the mixture to make it less stiff. Despite our addition of olive oil our resulting ointment is still very stiff. Upon returning home, Lia microwaved one of her batches and added an equal measure of olive oil to obtain a texture more maleable, similar to chapstick -- a quantity much greater than a few drops.

Still, we all have variable consistencies of delightful and useable products.

Thank you Constance and Morien! It was lots of fun.