unguent

An unguent is a soft, greasy preparation intended for external application to the skin, used for medicinal, cosmetic, or ritual purposes. It is typically a semisolid made by suspending or dissolving a substance in oil or fat and thickened with wax or resin, producing a spreadable consistency. The term comes from Latin unguentum, from unguere “to anoint.”

In antiquity, unguents were common in Greek, Roman, and Egyptian medicine, prepared by unguentarii and used for healing, protection, and perfumed grooming. With the rise of modern pharmacology, the term has largely supplanted by ointment or salve in everyday language, but is still seen in historical texts and some pharmacopoeial contexts.

Composition and preparation: Unguents are usually oil- or fat-based and generally exclude water, making them occlusive and long-acting on the skin. Common bases include petrolatum (vaseline), lanolin, beeswax, and various vegetable oils. Medicinal unguents may incorporate antiseptics, anti-inflammatories, analgesics, or botanical extracts to deliver drugs through the skin.

Usage: They are applied topically by rubbing, forming a barrier that protects the skin, moisturizes, or delivers active ingredients. The choice of base and additives influences viscosity, absorption, and the extent of occlusion.

See also: ointment, salve, cream, topical medication.