What's Actually in B&W Ointment, and What the Research Says
B&W Ointment's ingredient list reads like an old apothecary shelf: honey, beeswax, comfrey root, myrrh, marshmallow root, white oak bark, and more. These are the same ingredients that have been part of B&W's formula for over 25 years. Below is a closer look at the role each one plays, along with what independent, published research says about how these ingredients behave on skin and wounds.
Honey: The Antimicrobial Backbone
Honey is one of the most heavily studied natural wound-care ingredients. Its antibacterial activity comes from several overlapping mechanisms: enzymatic production of hydrogen peroxide, a low pH that's hostile to many bacteria, a high sugar concentration that draws moisture away from microbes (an osmotic effect), and naturally occurring compounds like bee defensin-1. Research has found honey effective against a wide range of bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant strains, and some studies show it can help restore antibiotic susceptibility when used alongside conventional treatment.
Beyond fighting bacteria, honey helps wounds heal by maintaining a moist environment and supporting tissue regeneration processes like angiogenesis (new blood vessel formation) and epithelialization (new skin formation) — both essential steps in closing a wound.
Comfrey Root: Allantoin and Tissue Repair
Comfrey root contains allantoin, a compound first isolated and studied as far back as 1912, along with rosmarinic acid and mucilage. Allantoin has been shown to promote fibroblast proliferation and collagen synthesis — in plain terms, it helps the cells responsible for rebuilding tissue do their job faster. Rosmarinic acid adds anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects on top of that.
A safety note worth being transparent about: comfrey also naturally contains pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs), compounds that can be harmful to the liver if absorbed in significant amounts. Research indicates that absorption through intact skin is minimal, and topical comfrey preparations are generally researched and used on closed or healing skin rather than open wounds. This is part of why B&W Ointment's directions call for layering with a burdock leaf dressing and changing dressings on a set schedule, rather than leaving the ointment in unlimited direct, prolonged contact with deep open tissue.
Beeswax: A Breathable Protective Barrier
Beeswax's primary role in the formula is physical: it creates a barrier that helps seal in moisture and keep out dirt and bacteria, while still allowing the skin underneath to breathe — unlike fully occlusive products such as petroleum jelly. Research has also found beeswax to have measurable, if modest, antimicrobial activity of its own against several common bacterial strains, likely related to residual propolis compounds from the hive.
Myrrh: A Traditional Antimicrobial and Astringent
Myrrh has a long history of use in wound care, and is generally described in the herbal and dermatological literature as antibacterial, antimicrobial, and astringent, with a supporting role in skin regeneration and inflammation reduction. In B&W Ointment, it works alongside honey and beeswax as part of the formula's overall antimicrobial profile.
The Other Supporting Ingredients
Marshmallow root and aloe vera gel are both demulcents — they soothe and add moisture to irritated or healing skin. White oak bark is traditionally used as an astringent. Wheat germ oil, olive oil, lanolin, and vegetable glycerin all contribute moisturizing and emollient properties that help keep the area from drying out and cracking during the healing process. Lobelia inflata has a long history in folk herbalism, primarily associated with anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic use.
How This Connects to the Clinical Reports
This ingredient profile lines up with what's been observed in the published case reports on B&W specifically. The Joel Pomerene Hospital study found minimal pain during dressing changes and no infections in the cases reviewed — consistent with a formula combining honey's antimicrobial action with beeswax's protective, breathable barrier. A separate case report published in Advances in Wound Care documented the use of B&W and burdock leaf dressings as an alternative to surgical debridement and skin grafting following a traumatic crush injury, describing effective healing with less pain during dressing changes compared to conventional therapy — though the same report also noted the approach took somewhat longer than conventional treatment in that case.
As with any wound care product, severe burns, deep wounds, or any injury showing signs of infection should be evaluated by a medical professional. For more on how to apply B&W Ointment and when additional medical steps may be needed, see our full application guide.