The Second Gift of Myrrh

Last week's blog was about the three gifts the wide men brought to the baby Jesus. The three most precious commodities of the day were the essential oils frankincense and myrrh, and the element of gold.

Myrrh comes from the same family of plants as frankincense; Burseraceae which means dry fire. Myrrh is a gum that it produced in Libya and Iran which is then distilled into an oil with a pleasant balsamic camphor-like, musty, incense smell.

Like frankincense, myrrh was a precious oil used in fumigations, embalming, unctions and liturgical practices. The Egyptian papyrus, the Vedas, the Bible and the Koran mention numerous uses of Myrrh in perfumery, ceremonies and medicine. Myrrh was an ingredient in many unguents, elixirs and other multi purpose antidotes.

Myrrh is wonderful oil that will purify the air. It is a very effective anti-inflammatory oil as well as a sedative and antiseptic oil.

Today accept in the field of aromatherapy Myrrh and other essential oils are mostly thought of as something that exists in a spa or of folklore from some ancient time. However in its day Myrrh was an important commodity highly prized and traded.

In yoga Myrrh would be associated with the third eye and the crown chakra. These energy centers are associated with our spiritual intuitive self. Essential oils can be used to help us balance these centers through the sense of smell. When the third eye is balanced we have a meditative mind, the ability to know the unknown and understand our destiny. When the crown at the top of the head is balanced we feel part of the eternal vastness of the universe. It is said to be balanced and centered at the crown is to experience an ecstasy beyond words. Myrrh-what a wonderful gift!

Happy Holidays.
Doctor Lynn