Myrrh is very much like an evergreen scent to me... some pine or spruce, slightly citrusy. Same family as vetiver, but less overtly masculine and less citrusy. Definitely unisex, definitely makes me think of the christmas season.
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).
Myrrh gum is commonly harvested from the species Commiphora myrrha. Another commonly used name, Commiphora molmol, is now considered a synonym for Commiphora myrrha.
In traditional Chinese medicine, for instance, it was said to have a number of benefits, including purging stagnant blood from the uterus. In Ayurvedic medicine, myrrh tonic is considered rejuvenating. As with frankincense, myrrh is thought to be anti-inflammatory. It also appears to be, to some degree, antibacterial.
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.
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.
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.
Myrrh was a sacred anointing oil. Frankincense and Myrrh are both mentioned in the biblical book of Exodus as sacred articles in the early Jewish and Christian faiths.
In medieval Europe myrrh was also regarded as rare and precious; but in modern commerce it is of trifling value. Modern uses are chiefly as an ingredient in dentifrices, perfumes, and stimulating tonics and as a protective agent in pharmaceuticals.
There isn't enough information to rate the safety of using myrrh on the skin during pregnancy, so until more is known, it's best to avoid this use. Breast-feeding mothers should also avoid using myrrh. Not enough is known about the safety of using myrrh when breast-feeding. Diabetes: Myrrh might lower blood sugar.
Myrrh oil is still commonly used today as a remedy for a variety of ailments. Researchers have become interested in myrrh due to its potent antioxidant activity and potential as a cancer treatment. It has also been shown to be effective in fighting certain types of parasitic infections.
At the time of Jesus' birth, gold, frankincense and myrrh were traditional gifts given to royalty in the Middle East, says Fred Horton, John T. Albritton Professor of the Bible at Wake Forest.
Matthew's verse 11 of Chapter 2 says that the Magi came to the house of Mary and Joseph and saw the child and his mother, and bowed down and worshiped Jesus. Matthew writes that “they opened their treasures and presented him with gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.”
Myrrh is very much like an evergreen scent to me... some pine or spruce, slightly citrusy. Same family as vetiver, but less overtly masculine and less citrusy.
Gospel of John
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.
Frankincense was often burned as an incense, while myrrh made its way into medicine and perfume. In antiquity, writes Cotton, these saps were worth just as much as gold. But as modern science has shown, these Magi (or wise men or kings, as they've come to be known) may have been onto something with their gifts.
Each of these precious gifts has a symbolic meaning. Frankincense was used for worship in the Temple; it is symbolic of Christ the High Priest. Gold is symbolic of Christ the King. Myrrh a perfume, was used to anoint dead bodies, it is symbolic of His death for the sake of truth, and therefore of Christ the Prophet.
But more than that, Barker notes that myrrh oil was known as the “dew of resurrection,” and it "had anointed the royal high priests after the order of Melchizedek and transformed them into sons of God." One early Christian, Pope Leo the Great, said: “He offers myrrh who believes that God's only begotten son united to ...
In preparation to see the King, Esther went through a purification using oil of myrrh for six months and sweet odours for six months. The sweet fragrance of Queen Esther and Myrrh represent our need to purify our hearts to become the Bride the Lord finds favor with when He returns.
Myrrh oil should be used as a part of topical treatments or aromatherapy only. Swallowing any amount of myrrh oil can have dangerous side effects. Using myrrh oil as a part of skin treatments or in an oil diffuser is much safer than consuming any amount of it.
Chrism, also called myrrh, myron, holy anointing oil, and consecrated oil, is a consecrated oil used in the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, Assyrian, Nordic Lutheran, Anglican, Old Catholic, and Latter Day Saint churches in the administration of certain sacraments and ecclesiastical functions.
It is also well known for its extensive health benefits to heal wounds, combat pain, inflammatory conditions, e.g., arthritis and obesity, and to treat infections, including leprosy and syphilis [1].
Frankincense and myrrh are both resins -- dried tree sap -- that come from trees of the genus Boswellia (frankincense) and Commiphora (myrrh), which are common to Somalia and Ethiopia. Both are in the botanical family Burseruceae commonly called the incense tree family.
Myrrh – the Death of Jesus
Commonly used to embalm bodies, the gift of myrrh foreshadows Jesus' death.
It's not the literal smell that finds favor with God, but the meaning behind the smell. For example, the smell of incense represents prayer going up to heaven, which God loves. Jeff breaks down the four favorite smells of God in today's episode: prayer, repentance, kerygma, and loving sacrifice.