The Healing Herbs of Christmas

Frankincense and myrrh contain medicinal properties and could have been beneficially used by a mother and baby soon after giving birth. Did you know that turmeric, which also has tremendous medicinal properties was sometimes referred to as "gold" during biblical times?

The biblical Magi are also referred to as the Three Wise Men or the Three Kings. They were written about in the Gospel of Matthew and are well rooted in Christian tradition.

This group of three distinguished foreigners, visited Jesus soon after his birth and were bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh. They are regular figures in traditional accounts of the nativity celebration.

"Magi" is the root of the English word magician. One of the gifts was either pure gold or turmeric, but the other two offerings may have been far more valuable to Virgin Mary and baby Jesus.

Frankincense and myrrh are best known for their use as incense in religious rituals, but these revered herbs are potent medicines, that have been used by healers throughout history, to treat everything from serious infection to hair loss.

Frankincense is also known as Boswellia sacra and Boswellia carter. Dating back to Sumerian
times, this fragrant resin was often transported by large caravans across the desert, from eastern African and Arabian regions, including Yemen, Oman, Ethiopia and Somalia. Its use as a medicine most likely started with the ancient Egyptians, who also charred it to make the famous black kohl eyeliner that enhanced the faces of their noble women. Frankincense is central to almost every major religion from this region of the world, but its healing value often goes unmentioned in the history books.

Frankincense oil has been used for millennia to help balance emotions and achieve a happier,
more connected life. Modern science tells us that frankincense is rich in compounds known as sesquiterpenes, that can pass the blood-brain barrier and stimulate the region of our brain that controls our feelings. One of the most common biomarkers of this plant, incensole acetate, is a known antidepressant that has shown very promising effects.

The oil is also extremely beneficial for the skin and hair. It can be applied topically to treat dry skin, smoothen wrinkles and strengthen hair roots. After battle, it was often relied upon to disinfect wounds, sooth muscle pain and reduce swelling. Because of its known anti-inflammatory properties, frankincense oil is often prescribed by naturopaths to treat patients who are suffering from rheumatoid arthritis. Archaeologists even found frankincense resin buried in
King Tut's tomb.

Myrrh is also known as commiphora myrrha. Like frankincense, myrrh is native to Northern
Africa and the Middle East, including Ethiopia and Yemen. This revered plant resin actually appears in one of the oldest Egyptian medical texts, Ebers Papyrus, which dates back to 1550 B.C.! The ancient cultures knew of its curative properties.

Beyond its use as a fragrance and for embalming purposes, early civilizations saw that it possessed quite a few healing properties. The Egyptians purchased it from the Phoenicians, for use in skin salves that were applied to wounds, sores and burns. Early doctors recognized myrrh's antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. Myrrh was prescribed for a wide array of physical ailments, including; coughs, asthma, indigestion, rashes, scrapes, burns, skin infection, hemorrhoids, joint pain and sore throats. It was also used as a rejuvenating facial and massage treatment for women.

Both of these sacred substances have endured quite a journey over the past five millennia. They were even forbidden by certain religions because of their association with pagan rituals.

Merry Christmas to all!

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