Frankincense and Myrrh

Gold, frankincense and myrrh. Treasures presented to a newborn king. Whether this story is part of your spiritual heritage or simply of interest to you from a historical perspective, frankincense and myrrh offer real benefits in our contemporary world.

The timeless value of gold, a lustrous, malleable and incorruptible metal, carries to this day. Just watch the price of gold rise in uncertain times. However, many people do not know why the resin of two desert shrubs, frankincense and myrrh, was valued so highly.

Both frankincense and myrrh are small desert shrubs that exude a sticky resin to protect the plant if the bark is cut or injured, a kind of natural bandage with a built-in antiseptic. This aromatic resin hardens into small “tears” that are harvested. The resin itself has been burned since antiquity for religious and spiritual purposes. More recently, the “tears” have been distilled to release the essential oil carried in the resin.

Myrrh was an unsurpassed medicine in ancient times. Healing, antiseptic and antifungal, Greek soldiers routinely carried a pouch of myrrh into battle in case they were wounded. Its drying and astringent properties made it an excellent remedy for eczema and other troublesome skin conditions common in the harsh climate. The aroma of myrrh is smoky, hot and bitter. Even today, myrrh is blended into premium toothpastes to heal and tighten gum tissues.

Frankincense has the distinctive quality of slowing and deepening the breathing. This effect can help with meditation and worship by bringing the body and mind into a more focused and receptive state. Medically, this action on the lungs can be very helpful for soothing and minimizing asthma attacks (though it is not a substitute for prescribed medications). When the aroma of frankincense is inhaled, there is frequently a direct effect on the pineal gland, deep in the brain, as well as the crown chakra. The effect can be quite profound. This “inner light” promotes spiritual focus, and can also stimulate creativity. A quality frankincense can be felt in the brain upon inhalation.

Frankincense is very healing to the skin, and is used in preparations for aging skin to minimize wrinkles. A very exciting development is current research showing promise in the tumor-reducing properties of frankincense (boswellia genus). This emerging work appears to reinforce centuries of reports from people who believed frankincense controlled tumors. While a great deal more work is needed, it is possible that the ancients instinctively revered a plant that modern day science is just beginning to appreciate.

Both frankincense and myrrh were used as embalming agents in the ancient world, probably because of their ability to preserve the skin, as well as their spiritual significance. The gift of these resins to a newborn king were perhaps a portent of things to come. They foretold both early death and everlasting life.

Frankincense and myrrh are time-honored treasures with important modern applications.