unguent

/ˈʌŋgwənt/

Other forms: unguents

That sometimes sticky or greasy salve you put on cuts or rashes is also called an unguent. Whether it's a cream or a gel, the main purpose of an unguent is to heal or protect a sore.

Unguent comes from the Latin unguentum, "ointment." Ancient unguents were luxurious and included fragrant oils used to anoint and perfume the skin. Some were even symbolically incorporated into religious ceremonies. In old-time of medicine shows, potions and unguents were sold as having magical properties but were usually concocted from common ingredients that could sometimes even be dangerous.

Definitions of unguent

1. noun

   semisolid preparation (usually containing a medicine) applied externally as a remedy or for soothing an irritation
   synonyms: balm, ointment, salve, unction

   types:

   arnica

   an ointment used in treating bruises

   baby oil

   an ointment for babies

   balsam

   an ointment containing a fragrant resin

   carron oil

   an ointment formerly used to treat burns

   cerate

   a hard medicated paste made of lard or oil mixed with wax or resin

   chrism, chrisom, holy oil, sacramental oil

   a consecrated ointment consisting of a mixture of oil and balsam

   lip balm

   a balm applied to the lips

   mentholated salve

   a salve containing menthol

   mercurial ointment

   an ointment containing mercury

   zinc ointment

   an ointment containing zinc that is used to treat certain skin diseases

   camphor ice

   a cerate made of camphor and wax and spermaceti and castor oil

   type of:

   curative, cure, remedy, therapeutic

   a medicine or therapy that cures disease or relieve pain