Lucas' Papaw Ointment
Thursday, 18 November 2010 by Lydia Parafianowicz
One of my absolute must-have beauty products comes in a little red tube with simple black print. I was first introduced to Lucas’ Papaw Ointment by an Australian friend (the product hails from Brisbane), who recommended I apply it to my chapped lips during winter. The lubricant was a miracle worker; since then, I've yet to leave home without it!
Lucas’ Papaw Ointment was first created in the late 1800s by British Dr. Thomas Lucas, who was an expert in natural history and botany. While researching the effects of natural products on the human body, Lucas became interested in the healing elements of the Papaw Tree. He moved to Australia in 1876 and opened a hospital in Brisbane, where he planned to treat patients solely with his Papaw ointment. After Lucas’ death, his widow carried on his legacy at the hospital and continued promoting the healing solution.
The product is still available today, and can be used as temporary relief of eczema, dermatitis and haemorrhoids; applied topically it can treat abrasions, cuts, boils, bruises, burns, cysts, dry skin, gravel rash, insect stings, open wounds, pimples, scalds, sunburns, swelling, splinters, nappy rash and cracked nipples (for breastfeeding mothers). The product is safe for use on children and contains no carcinogens. While it can be difficult to find in North America and Europe, but can be purchased on many makeup websites for about $8 US per tube.
