Myrrh is one of the precious ingredients in our Origin Oil Pack

Myrrh (Commiphora Myrrha) is referenced throughout the Old and New Testament constituting a part of a holy anointing formula given to Moses. It has one of the highest levels of sesquiterpenes, a class of compounds that can stimulate the hypothalamus, pituitary, and amygdala, the control center for emotions and hormone release in the brain.

Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha – Burseraceae)

Myrrh was well know to the ancients. It was an ingredient of incense used for religious ceremonies and fumigation by the ancient Egyptians. Called punt or phun, in was an ingredient of a famous Egyptian perfume, kyphi, was prescribed to counter hay fever, and was an important ingredient in embalming as well. The Egyptians burned Myrrh at noon everyday as part of their sun-worshipping ritual. They also combined it with Coriander and Honey in an unguent for treating herpes.

Myrrh and the Bible

The holy anointing oil that God directed Moses to make from “flowing” myrrh, sweet cinnamon, calamus, cassia, and olive oil, would have been a powerful antiviral and antibiotic substance, the use of which gave protection and treatment to all those to whom it was administered. Cinnamon is a powerful antiviral and antibacterial agent as well as being anti-fungal. Myrrh is an effective antisepetic and one of the best cicatrisant – that is, it stimulates cellular growth – and its healing effects on open wounds, ulcers, and boils was legendary eve before Biblical times.

The Book of Esther talks about its use in the purification of woman and when Joseph was sold by his brothers to the caravan, their camels were carrying gum, balm and Myrrh to Egypt. Greek soldiers too a phial of Myrrh into battle its antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties helped stem their bleeding wounds. It was a gift to the infant Jesus (Matthew 2,11) at his birth and also handed to him on the cross mixed with wine (Mark 15,23)

In the New Testament, Nicodemus ordered a hundred pounds of myrrh and aloe to anoint the body of Jesus (a custom among the Jews at that time). The Hebrews would mix myrrh in their wine and drink it to raise their state of consciousness before religious rituals. Herodotus, Theophrastus, and Plutarch sang its praises, and Dioscorides and Pliny classified it as healing in many salves.

Medicinal Properties of Myrrh

Properties: Antiseptic, Antimicrobe, Antiphlogistic, Astrigent, Balsamic, Deodorant, Carminative, Disinfectant, Diuretic, Emmenagogue, Expectorant, Fungicide, Stimulant, Stomachic, Sudorific, Tonic, Uterine and Vulnerary.

Healing properties: Drying effect against mucus in the lungs. Bronchitis, colds, sore throats, catarrh, pharyngitis and coughs. Mouth and gum disorders, ulcers, gingivitis and spongy gums. Tonic to stomach, stimulated appetite, stems diarrhea, easing flatulence, acidity and piles. Scanty periods, thrush, obstructions in the womb.

It also stimulates white blood corpuscles and invigorates the immune system. Its direct antimicrobe effect helps quick recovery from disease.

You might also like to read our article: Myrrh Oil in the Bible and It’s Healing Properties

Resources:

Aromatherapy by Davis, Patricia

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy by Valerie Ann Worwood

The Directory of Essential Oils by Sellar, Wanda