The ancient Egyptians used frankincense and myrrh in the process of mummification, as well as for treating wounds and skin sores. The antimicrobial properties of the resins would seem to justify these applications.
The Egyptian Ebers papyrus (circa 1500 BCE) notes that myrrh, along with frankincense, was used to treat wounds and skin sores, and as part of the embalming ointment used in mummification. Dioscorides, the Greek physician, suggested myrrh's use for coughs, as well as infections of the eyes, teeth, and mouth.
In foods and beverages, myrrh is used as a flavoring component. In manufacturing, myrrh is used as a fragrance, in incense, and as a fixative in cosmetics. It is also used in embalming.
Myrrh is one of the oldest known aromatic substances. In ancient Egypt it was used as incense in religious ceremonies and for embalming. Egyptian women used myrrh in facial care balms to maintain a youthful complexion. As described in the Bible, Myrrh was among the gifts brought to Jesus at his birth and at his death.
The Egyptians imported myrrh from Punt, in modern Somalia; and much of the world's myrrh still comes from that area.
The sacred trees that produce Frankincense and Myrrh are almost impossible to grow outside of the Arabian Peninsula, which meant they were constantly in short supply and high demand. According to a famous Roman historian, the sap made the Arabians the richest people on earth by Jesus's time, more valuable than gold.
myrrha, which grows in Ethiopia, Arabia, and Somalia, while bisabol myrrh is obtained from C. erythraea, which is an Arabian species of similar appearance. Myrrh trees are found on parched rocky hills and grow up to 3 m (9 feet) tall.
myrrh could be effective in treating the current cases of COVID-19. It noticed in the State of Qatar, sales of herbs and Myrrh has escalade since the surgency of COVID-19 cases [44], and the price of Myrrh has soared equivalently.
Some facets of myrrh are intensely bitter, while some smell like sweet licorice, anise, or rubber. Often the resin smells latex-y and saline (in cookery terms, if frankincense is a citrus fruit, myrrh is volcanic salt).
As of 2022 Myrrh has been branded as Synthetic Cannabinoid by Amazon.
An alternative tradition holds that Mary and Joseph used the gold to pay for the stable, the frankincense to perfume it and the myrrh as an ointment for the new-born baby.
Myrrh was used for its health benefits and fragrance. The Magi's gifts - gold, frankincense, and myrrh had spiritual symbolism (kingship, worship, and death). Myrrh was also used to prepare Christ's body for burial. During biblical times these were very versatile and expensive resins that were derived from tree sap.
In conclusion, we provide evidence for the methanolic extract of myrrh having cytotoxic activity against cancer cells and anti-inflammatory wound-healing properties, which may be attributed to its role in modulating macrophage function.
The word myrrh comes from the Arabic word “murr” which translates into “bitter.” In Ancient Egypt, myrrh was used to treat hay fever and herpes.
Frankincense was often burned as an incense, while myrrh made its way into medicine and perfume.
Since ancient times, burning of frankincense and myrrh in places of worship for spiritual purposes and contemplation (a ubiquitous practice across various religions) had hygienic functions, to refine the smell and reduce contagion by purifying the indoor air.
Myrrh essential oil, extracted from the plant, is ant-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, balsamic, expectorant, emmenagogue, sedative, and ant-microbial.
The Egyptians employed myrrh as an embalming ointment and, up until about the 15th century, as penitential incense in funerals and cremations.
Roughly, 25.000 herb-based preparations and extracts have been employed in traditional medicine in South Asia. In recent times, a decoction of maricha (Piper nigrum), lavanga (Syzygium aromaticum), and sunthi (Zingiber officinaleRoscoe.) have been suggested for both healthy and COVID-19 patients.
Eucalyptus Oil. Eucalyptus oil and its main active component, eucalyptol (=1,8-cineole) have been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory, and antiviral activities, among others [19,20]. Eucalyptol is isolated from Eucalyptus species and found in camphor tree, tea tree, rosemary, common sage, and Cannabis sativa [21].
Myrrh - American Botanical Council. Commiphora myrrha is a small, thorny tree or shrub that can grow to 9 feet tall. It is native to southwest Asia, including Arabia, and most commonly east and northeast Africa near the region of the Red Sea or Arabian Gulf,3-6 specifically Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya.
John says that Joseph was assisted in the burial process by Nicodemus, who brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes and included these spices in the burial cloth according to Jewish customs.
And the Jews were no exception: frankincense was regularly added to burnt offerings at the Temple in Jerusalem, and was part of a special incense blend reserved for divine service. Liquid myrrh was a component in the holy anointing oil used to consecrate vessels and officiating priests.
Frankincense and myrrh were some of the most valuable materials in the ancient world. They were famous as incense offered to the divine and perfume for the wealthy. Today, many will recognize these resins for their role in the Biblical nativity story, where their worth was equal to, or greater than, gold.