What is Myrrh?

Myrrh is a pleasant smelling resin which is derived from the Commiphora myrrha trees which grow in Arabia and portions of Africa. In the Old Testament, myrrh is depicted as a prized good for trade and as being important for cultic anointing. Myrrh, along with gold and frankincense, are the gifts supposedly brought to Jesus by the three magi just after he was born.

Myrrh has been very popular in the past as an ingredient in incense, perfumes, etc., in the holy oil of the Jews and the Kyphi of the Egyptians for embalming and fumigations.

Medicinal Action and Uses: Myrrh has been one of the most desired and sought after items in the world even before the baby Jesus received Myrrh as a gift, over 2000 years ago. The bible mentions it over 22 times, and it was used as incense in religious rituals.

The Egyptians believed in its healing powers: they burned Myrrh every day as part of their worshipping rituals. In the Greek culture when soldiers went to battle is was an essential part of their combat gear because of myrrh’s extremely high antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties. It was used to clean wounds and to prevent infection. It was also used to prevent the spread of gangrene in already infected parts of the body.

Toothpowders and tooth pastes use Myrrh, which is a common ingredient for these products. It is often used with borax in tincture, along with other ingredients, as a mouth-wash.

It was used in embalming, as a cure for cancer, leprosy, and syphilis. Myrrh, mixed with coriander and honey, was used to treat herpes. It was used as an anti-infectous, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent and as a tonic.

Myrrh collection: Little appears to be definitely known about the collection of myrrh. It is probable that the best resin comes from Somaliland, is bought at the fairs of Berbera by the Banians of India, shipped to Bombay, and there sorted. The best usually arrives in Europe; the worst being sent to China. The true myrrh is known as karam, formerly called Turkey myrrh, and the opaque bdellium as meena harma.