Patris Health Ointment No. 2

Key facts about the Patris Health Ointment No. 2

The main component of the Ointment No. 2 is an extract of Oak bark (Quercus Robur Bark) with a strong astringent, antimicrobial and antioxidant activity which aids the healing process of damaged skin. People mainly use Ointment No. 2 for treating haemorrhoids and minor skin wounds.

• Functional ingredients: Quercus Robur Bark (oak bark), Calendula officinalis (marigold), Thymus Vulgaris (Thyme).
• Target conditions: Haemorrhoids, minor wounds, cuts, scratches and cracked skin.
• Recommended use: Apply a thin layer of the ointment to the skin at the affected area for 5 to 7 days. After symptoms disappear, continue to use 1 to 2 times a week.
• Net volume: 84 g
• Paraben-free, Silicon-free, Not Tested on Animals
• Trade name: Patris Health Ointment No. 2

Medicinal properties of the Patris Health Ointment No. 2 functional ingredients

Oak bark (Quercus cortex, Quercus Robur Bark)

Oak bark has been used for centuries in herbal medicine for treating skin burns and wounds.¹

Nowadays is gaining popularity as an ingredient in natural skin care products due to its potent healing properties.

European Medicines Agency recognises Oak bark extracts as a traditional herbal medicinal product for symptomatic relief of itching and burning associated with haemorrhoids after severe conditions have been excluded by a medical doctor.¹

Oak bark extracts are astringents. They cause the contraction or shrinkage of tissues and dry up secretions,² which supports the healing process.

Oak bark is rich in tannin with astringent, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial properties. Tannin helps to reduce inflammation and soothe irritated skin. It can also help speed up wound healing and reduce the appearance of scars. In addition, tannin has antiseptic properties that make it helpful in treating acne and other skin conditions.

Oak bark extract is also a rich source of ellagic acid, a powerful antioxidant that helps to protect the skin from damage caused by free radicals. Ellagic acid also has anti-aging properties and can help to improve the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

The antibacterial action of oak bark is attributed to tannins³ and antiviral activity to the octyl gallate, a compound which, in studies, inhibited the multiplication of certain viruses.⁴ 

Studies show that oak bark extracts also have antifungal, antiprotozoan, antiparasitic, antioxidant and anticancer activity.

Marigold (Calendula officinalis)

Calendula officinalis (C. officinalis), also known as pot marigold, is a medicinal herb with antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activity.⁵

C. officinalis has a long history of use in traditional medicine to treat inflammations, ulcers, wounds and burns.⁶

Marigold is beneficial as an antiseptic and an excellent natural remedy for wound treatment.⁷ The C. officinalis has a cleansing and detoxifying effect and can help treat chronic infections.⁸ Moreover, it can be used for treating problems with varicose veins and haemorrhoids.⁹

The Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (European Medicines Agency) assessed the Calendula officinalis in traditional use. There is an evident history of Marigold use for treating minor inflammation on the skin (e.g. sunburn), in the mouth or throat, and as an aid in healing minor wounds.

In experimental studies, certain Calendula compounds have also demonstrated antitumoral effects.¹⁰

Some of the potential benefits of Calendula officinalis for the skin include:

• Reducing inflammation: Calendula has been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, which can help reduce redness and swelling associated with certain skin conditions.
• Promoting wound healing: Calendula has been used to help speed up the healing process for minor wounds and skin irritations. It may also help reduce scarring.
• Moisturizing dry skin: Calendula has been shown to have a moisturizing effect on the skin, making it a good choice for those with dry or dehydrated skin.
• Soothing skin irritation: Calendula may help soothe and calm irritated skin, making it a good choice for use on skin conditions such as eczema or dermatitis.

Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)

Thymus vulgaris is beneficial for treating skin problems such as oily skin, acne, dermatitis, eczema, and insect bites.¹¹

T. vulgaris L. has antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and anti-cancerous activities.¹²

It is beneficial in treating wounds due to its healing and antiseptic properties.¹³ It helps relieve neuralgic and rheumatic aches and pains¹⁴. Moreover, it can provide relief from the symptoms of psoriasis, rashes, and other inflammatory skin conditions.

The T. vulgaris essential oil is highly antifungal when tested on various fungi and yeasts, e.g. Candida albicans. Moreover, it is a traditional herbal medicinal product used as an expectorant in cough associated with cold.¹⁵

Some of the potential benefits of Thymus vulgaris for the skin include:

• Antimicrobial effects: Thyme has been shown to have antimicrobial properties, which may make it effective in fighting off bacteria and other microorganisms that can cause skin infections.
• Reducing inflammation: Like Calendula, thyme has anti-inflammatory effects and may be helpful in reducing redness and swelling associated with certain skin conditions.
• Soothing skin irritation: Thyme may have a soothing effect on irritated skin and may be helpful in relieving symptoms of conditions such as eczema or dermatitis.
• Reducing the appearance of blemishes: Thyme may be helpful in reducing the appearance of blemishes and improving the overall appearance of the skin.

List of references:

1. Widy-Tyszkiewicz E. Assessment report on Quercus robur L., Quercus petraea (Matt.) Liebl., Quercus pubescens Willd., cortex EMA/HMPC/3206/2009.
2. Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2020, April 2). astringent. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/science/astringent
3. Cowan MM. Plant products as antimicrobial agents. Clin Microbiol Rev 1999, 12:564-582.
4. Yamasaki H, Uozaki M, Katsuyama Y, Utsunomiya H, Arakawa T, Higuchi M, Higuti T, Koyama AH. Antiviral effect of octyl gallate against influenza and other RNA viruses. Int J Mol Med 2007, 19:685-658.
5. Khairnar MS, Pawar B, Marawar PP, Mani A. Evaluation of Calendula officinalis as an anti-plaque and anti-gingivitis agent. J Indian Soc Periodontol. 2013 Nov;17(6):741-7.
6. Yoshikawa M, Murakami T, Kishi A, Kageura T, Matsuda H. Medicinal flowers. III. Marigold. (1): Hypoglycemic, gastric emptying inhibitory, and gastroprotective principles and new oleanane-type triterpene oligoglycosides, calendasaponins A, B, C, and D, from Egyptian Calendula officinalis. Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo) 2001;49:863–70.
7. Oguwike FN, Onubueze DPM, Ughachukwu P. Evaluation of activities of marigold extract on wound healing of albino wister rat. IOSR J Dent Med Sci. 2013;8(5):67–70. 
8. Blumenthal M, Goldberg A, Brinckmann J. Austin, TX, Boston: American Botanical Council, Integrative Medicine Communications; 2001. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs; pp. 376–8.
9. Cetkovic GS, Djilas SM, Canadanovic-Brunet JM, Tumbas VT. Antioxidant properties of marigold extracts. Food Res Int. 2004;37:643–50.
10. Ukiya M, Akihisa T, Yasukawa K, Tokuda H, Suzuki T, Kimura Y. Anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor-promoting, and cytotoxic activities of constituents of marigold (Calendula officinalis) flowers. J Nat Prod. 2006;69:1692–6.
11. Prasanth Reddy V, Ravi Vital K, Varsha PV, Satyam S (2014) Review on Thymus vulgaris Traditional Uses and Pharmacological Properties. Med Aromat Plants 3: 164.
12. Patil SM, Ramu R, Shirahatti PS, Shivamallu C, Amachawadi RG. A systematic review on ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry and pharmacological aspects of Thymus vulgaris Linn. Heliyon. 2021 May 18;7(5):e07054.
13. Kuete V. Thymous vulgaris. In: Kuete V., editor. Medicinal Spices and Vegetables from Africa. First ed. Elsevier Inc.; 2017. pp. 599–609.
14. Hosseinzadeh, S. , Jafarikukhdan, A. , Hosseini, A. and Armand, R. (2015) The Application of Medicinal Plants in Traditional and Modern Medicine: A Review of Thymus vulgaris. International Journal of Clinical Medicine, 6, 635-642.
15. The Committee on Herbal Medicinal Products (European Medicines Agency).