Katrina Rosales
Frankincense and myrrh are aromatic resins derived from trees. They have been used for thousands of years in religious rituals, medicines, and perfumes. In ancient Egypt, frankincense and myrrh were burned as incense and used to embalm mummies. Romans burned myrrh at funeral pyres, while Greeks and Romans incorporated the resins into their religious ceremonies. Today, frankincense and myrrh continue to be used in perfumes, cosmetics, and aromatherapy, with the demand for frankincense oil being particularly high in China.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Use | Frankincense was burned as an offering to God and was also used as perfume and incense. Myrrh was used to embalm the dead and as anointing oil. |
| Symbolism | Frankincense symbolized the divinity of Christ and prayer rising to heaven like smoke. Myrrh symbolized death and the bitter cup that Christ had to drink in suffering for our sins. |
| Medicinal properties | Frankincense may have anti-inflammatory properties and can be used to treat arthritis. Myrrh oil can improve blood circulation and was used as a remedy for the plague and other infectious diseases. |
| Origin | Frankincense comes from trees of the genus Boswellia, native to Somalia, Oman, Yemen, East Africa, and India. Myrrh comes from trees of the genus Commiphora, native to northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. |
| Demand | Frankincense oil is in high demand, especially in China, and is a $7 billion industry. |
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What You'll Learn
Frankincense and myrrh are resins from tree sap
Frankincense and myrrh have been valued for centuries. They are both resins, or dried tree sap, that come from trees of the genus Boswellia (frankincense) and Commiphora (myrrh). These trees are native to Somalia and Ethiopia and belong to the botanical family Burseruceae, commonly known as the incense tree family.
The process of harvesting frankincense and myrrh is labour-intensive. The sap is collected by cutting into the tree's bark, causing the sap to ooze out. This sap is then left to dry on the tree for several months until it hardens. The hardened sap is then collected and used as frankincense and myrrh.
Frankincense, also known as olibanum, is known for its pleasant fragrance and has been used as incense during worship and as a perfume. It is also believed to have medicinal properties, such as providing relief for patients with arthritic knees and managing inflammation-based disorders like arthritis.
Myrrh, on the other hand, has been used for embalming the dead due to its preservative properties. It has also been used in anointing oils and has a long history of medicinal use, including pain relief and improving blood circulation. Like frankincense, myrrh has been incorporated into perfumes and cosmetics.
The Magi's gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh to Jesus held symbolic meaning, representing his kingship, divinity, and suffering. However, researchers now suggest that these gifts may also have been chosen for their practical medicinal and cosmetic properties.
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They were brought as gifts to Jesus by the Three Wise Men
Frankincense and myrrh have been used for centuries in traditional medicine to treat a range of conditions. They were also used in perfumes and cosmetics. In the ancient world, frankincense was used as perfume or burned as incense during worship, while myrrh was used as anointing oil.
According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Three Wise Men or the Magi brought gold, frankincense, and myrrh as gifts to Jesus upon his birth. These gifts were extremely valuable and expensive and were considered appropriate gifts for the "king of the Jews", as the wise men referred to Jesus.
The gifts of the Three Wise Men are believed to hold symbolic significance. Gold is symbolic of Jesus' kingship, divinity, and deity. Frankincense, often burned as an offering to God, symbolises Jesus' role as a priest and his willingness to become a sacrifice. Myrrh, which was used in embalming, foreshadowed Christ's death and suffering.
The gifts may also have had practical value. Gold could have financed Joseph, Mary, and Jesus' escape to Egypt. Frankincense and myrrh, known for their medicinal properties, may have been chosen to promote recovery for Mary after childbirth.
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They were used as perfumes in ancient Egypt
Frankincense and myrrh were used as perfumes in ancient Egypt. They were also used as medicines, cosmetics, and incense for rituals. The ancient Egyptians believed that scent was a bridge between the earthly and the divine. They used perfumes and incense in rituals to honour the gods, heal the body, purify the soul, and impress dinner guests.
Temples would burn different types of incense at different times of the day. In the morning, they burned frankincense to energize and awaken. Myrrh was burned at midday, thought to purify and protect. In the evening, they burned Kyphi, a complex blend of honey, wine, raisins, frankincense, cinnamon, and other resins—it was both calming and sacred.
High-ranking Egyptians wore perfumed cones on their heads, which slowly melted over time, releasing fragrance and moisturizing their hair. Doctors were trained in which resins and flowers to use in specific cures. For example, aromatic salves and ointments were applied to treat headaches and infections.
Frankincense and myrrh were also used in the mummification process. The body was packed with resins, myrrh, cedar oil, and palm wine, both to preserve the flesh and prepare the soul for its journey into the afterlife.
The use of frankincense and myrrh as perfumes and medicines continued into the medieval and Renaissance periods. By the Renaissance, myrrh oil was a common ingredient in cosmetics, perfumes, and medicines.
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Frankincense symbolises divinity and prayer; myrrh symbolises death
Frankincense and myrrh have been investigated by humans for centuries. In the ancient world, these two substances, along with gold, were standard gifts to honour a king or deity.
Frankincense is used as a perfume but is mostly burned as incense during worship. It symbolises divinity and prayer. In the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, frankincense continues to play a major role in worship. During Mass or Divine Liturgy, the priest may cense the altar, the Gospel book, the gifts of bread and wine, and the congregation. This act of censing symbolises prayers rising to heaven. In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses to create a special blend of incense with frankincense as a key ingredient. This sacred incense was to be burned as an offering to God.
Myrrh, on the other hand, was primarily used to embalm the dead due to its preservative properties. It symbolises death. According to the Tradition of the Church Fathers, myrrh was a sign of death, as it was used in Hebrew and Egyptian funeral rites. However, in the light of the Resurrection, myrrh has also come to symbolise life everlasting.
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They are still used in perfumes, medicines, and cosmetics
Frankincense and myrrh have been used as perfumes, medicines, and cosmetics for thousands of years. Both substances are resins derived from trees—frankincense comes from the Boswellia tree, while myrrh comes from trees of the Commiphora genus.
Frankincense has been used in traditional medicine to treat a range of conditions, including arthritis, asthma, and oral hygiene issues. It has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties and may help reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. In addition, frankincense has been found to have potential anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects on mice.
Myrrh has been used in traditional medicine as an antiseptic and analgesic. It has been claimed to reduce symptoms of indigestion, ulcers, colds, coughs, asthma, respiratory congestion, arthritis, and even cancer. It is also mentioned in the Hebrew Bible as a rare perfume and an ingredient in sacred anointing oils.
Today, both frankincense and myrrh continue to be used in modern perfumes, medicines, and cosmetics. In medicine, they are being studied for their potential synergistic effects when used in combination. For example, the frankincense-myrrh compound has shown promising results in the treatment of liver cancer. Additionally, myrrh has been used in mouthwashes, gargles, and toothpastes due to its antiseptic properties, while frankincense may be beneficial for oral hygiene and the prevention of gum disease due to its antibacterial properties.
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Frequently asked questions
The three gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh were given to Jesus to honour him as a king, priest and sacrifice.
Frankincense is a milky white resin that comes from trees of the genus Boswellia, which are common to Somalia, Ethiopia, Oman, Yemen and India.
Myrrh is a reddish resin that comes from species of the genus Commiphora, which is native to northeast Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
Frankincense has a woodsy, earthy fragrance and is used in perfumes, cosmetics, aromatherapy and medicines. It is also burned as incense during worship.
Myrrh has a warm, spicy aroma and is used in perfumes, cosmetics, aromatherapy and medicines. It is also used in anointing oil and to embalm the dead.
