Ointments or Topical Dosage (मलहम – लेप)

A Hypothetical Evolution of Malham / Lepa / Ointment from Forest to Formula

In the earliest human settlements, injuries, skin ailments, and inflammations were treated using the simplest forms of nature. Ancient humans observed that applying fresh leaves, mud, resins, or animal fats brought relief. Over time, these intuitive attempts evolved into more refined applications as humans learned to combine herbs, oils, minerals, and clays.

Forest dwellers crushed leaves into pastes (Kalka), chewed roots, or rubbed aromatic resins onto wounds. They noticed:

• Some leaves cooled burning sensations
• Certain roots stopped bleeding
• Tree barks dried oozing wounds
• Clays and ashes reduced infection

These observations formed the foundation for Lepa—the earliest form of external therapy in Ayurveda.

As communities grew, healers experimented with processing methods:

• Drying herbs increases shelf life
• Grinding improved the texture
• Boiling herbs in oils or ghee extracts deeper medicinal essences
• Adding beeswax or fats helped formulations stay on the skin
• Mineral ash (Bhasma) enhanced antimicrobial action

These innovations transformed simple pastes into advanced formulations like Malham (ointment), Lepa (herbal paste), Pralepa, and Taila-based creams.

Ayurvedic texts such as Charaka Samhita, Sushruta Samhita, and Bhaishajya Ratnavali described:

• Lepa Kalpana (paste-based preparations)
• Malhara Kalpana (ointment-type formulations)

Herbs were selected carefully based on Rasa, Guna, Virya, Vipaka, and Dosha involvement. Stabilisers like wax, gum resins, and fats helped preserve formulations.

Qualities of a Malham / Lepa / Ointment

• Sufficiently soft, smooth, and spreadable
• Free from grittiness or clumping
• Maintains structure at room temperature
• Particles should be finely sieved
• Uniform distribution ensures a consistent medicinal effect
• No coarse fibres or impurities
• Support healing without irritating tissue
• Should not separate into oil and solids
• Should not develop fungus, rancidity, or foul smell
• Should maintain consistency through seasons

General Mode of Administration of Malham / Lepa / Ointment

General Guidelines for Ayurvedic Practitioners on the Use of Malham / Lepa / Ointment

• Evaluate the Dosha and Disease Stage
  • Vata: Warm, unctuous Malhams with sesame oil or ghee
  • Pitta: Cooling Lepas with sandalwood, aloe, manjistha
  • Kapha: Heating, drying herbs like turmeric, trikatu, vacha
• Use at the Stage:
  • Acute inflammation: Cooling Lepa
  • Chronic stiffness: Warm Malham
  • Oozing wounds: Astringent Lepa
  • Dry wounds: Unctuous Malham
• Always check for skin sensitivity for 10–15 minutes before large application.
• Remove dirt, sweat, or old ointment before fresh application.
• Thick: For swelling, oozing, deep pain
• Thin: For rashes, itching, superficial disorders
• Lepas are often kept for 20–40 minutes, then washed off
• Malhams may remain for several hours
• Do NOT apply on open, deep, or infected wounds unless indicated
• Do NOT apply excessively hot formulations in Pitta conditions
• Do NOT apply extremely cooling Lepas in Vata disorders
• Store in airtight containers, away from sunlight
• Avoid cold water (in Vata disorders)
• Avoid spicy/oily food (in Pitta conditions)
• Improve hygiene (for skin diseases)

Disclaimer:

This guideline is based on Ayurvedic classical principles and intended for educational use. Practitioners should use their clinical judgment, patient assessment, and individualized protocol before prescribing malham-lepa in actual clinical settings.