Myrrh was used in burials for its preservative, antiseptic, and fragrant properties, helping to counteract decay and mask odors, reflecting honor for the deceased, particularly royalty, and symbolizing purification, sacrifice, and hope for resurrection in religious contexts like Judaism and Christianity. It was mixed with aloes and wrapped with the body in linen, a costly practice that signified respect and foreshadowed Christ's death and resurrection.
When Jesus was buried we know that his body was wrapped with a mixture of myrrh and aloes to anoint his body for burial - and to help cover the stench of death. It seems that life is full of heartache and struggle. Yet, Christ has made a way for us to see Himself glorified even through the worst of circumstances.
According to the Jewish custom which was observed at the time of Christ, a dead body was to be anointed with precious myrrh, so that it would be prepared to be given over to the decay of death.
Gold honors Jesus because it represents that He is Christ the King. Frankincense pleases Jesus as it is used to worship Him, and it reveals that He is Christ the High Priest. Myrrh is a perfume used to anoint dead bodies, and it is symbolic of His death for the sake of the truth, as Christ the Prophet.
In the embalming of royal Egyptian bodies, the antibacterial effect of the myrrh helped prevent deterioration of the body. Obviously, it was effective since we have many of those bodies still existing today. Many old treatments may be of use to us today.
Myrrh gum is commonly harvested from the species Commiphora myrrha, which is native to Yemen, Somalia, Eritrea and eastern Ethiopia. Another commonly used name, Commiphora molmol, is now considered a synonym of Commiphora myrrha.
Jesus wanted to maintain his full faculties as he was at the end of the reason he came to earth, to died faithfully to God for all mankind. Myrrh is a mild narcotic, a drug basically, and Jesus did not want to dull his senses less say or do something contrary to the will of God in his last moments.
They gave Him gold because they recognized it was a proper gift for a King. They gave him frankincense because that's what a high priest used when he went into the temple to represent the people before God. They gave Him myrrh because they recognized that this King would die for the world.
Applying frankincense oil to the soles of your feet is a traditional practice that may help you feel more balanced and calm, especially before rest.
Ancient Egyptians used myrrh to embalm corpses and Romans burned it as a type of incense at funeral pyres.
According to the Tradition of the Church Fathers, the gold and the incense are respectively the signs of the royalty and the divinity of Jesus, Son of God and consubstantial to the Father whereas the myrrh was a sign of death as it clearly evoked the Hebrew and Egyptian funeral rites.
No, myrrh and frankincense are not the same; they are distinct aromatic resins from different trees (Commiphora for myrrh, Boswellia for frankincense), though they come from the same plant family, have similar harvesting methods, and are often used together in spiritual practices and traditional medicine for their unique earthy/balsamic (myrrh) versus bright/citrusy (frankincense) aromas and properties.
Climate change is already impacting some areas. Outbreaks of a wood boring beetle has also been devastating. Populations of B. papyrifera, the main source of frankincense found in Ethiopia and Sudan, are now collapsing throughout their geographic range, according to a 2019 Nature study.
Another main activity, while his body lay in the tomb, was to visit the spirits of those who had died. He said on one occasion, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live.” (John 5:25.)
The Spiritual Essence of Myrrh
This venerable resin has been a symbol of protection, a tool for purification, and a conduit to the sacred feminine across diverse cultures and spiritual traditions.
So the first wine (mixed with myrrh) was designed to dull Jesus' pain, to keep him from having to endure the cross with full consciousness. This wine he refused. And the second (sour) wine was given to keep him “conscious for as long as possible,” and thus have the effect of prolonging his pain.
Lavender Essential Oil
Many people use lavender oil on the bottom of their feet to help relieve stress and tension. Lavender oil is famous in the aromatherapy world for its calming effect and its ability to reduce feelings of depression and anxiety.
The 30/50/20 rule for essential oils is a blending guideline for creating balanced, harmonious scents, suggesting you use 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 20% base notes for longevity and depth. Top notes are light and fast-evaporating (like citrus), middle notes are the heart of the blend (like florals/herbs), and base notes are grounding and long-lasting (like woods/resins). For a 10-drop blend, this means 3 drops top, 5 drops middle, and 2 drops base.
It can be used cosmetically, medicinally, and for eliminating surface and airborne bacteria. Pregnant women and individuals with bleeding disorders are warned that Frankincense is an emmenagogue that has blood thinning effects, which may increase their risk of irregular bleeding.
The most common use for frankincense and myrrh – past and present – is as incense. It is also used in essential oils, natural medicines, and perfumes. Myrrh is also used medicinally, as an embalmer, in cosmetics, and today myrrh is found in some flavorings.
An alternative tradition holds that Mary and Joseph used the gold to pay for the stable, the frankincense to perfume it and the myrrh as an ointment for the new-born baby.
Gall refers to a substance made from Myrrh, which was mixed into the wine offered to Jesus the first time. Jesus tasted it and realized that this concoction was designed to dull his senses and ease some of the pain from his crucifixion.
But, having tasted this vinegar mixed with gall, He realized that drinking it was something He could not do if He was to finish His work and fulfil His Father's will.
Easton's Bible Dictionary - Wormwood
It is noted for its intense bitterness ( Deuteronomy 29:18 ; Proverbs 5:4 ; Jeremiah 9:15 ; Amos 5:7 ). It is a type of bitterness, affliction, remorse, punitive suffering. In Amos 6:12 this Hebrew word is rendered "hemlock" (RSV, "wormwood").
Myrrh seems safe for most people when used in small amounts. It can cause some side effects such as skin rash if applied directly to the skin, and diarrhea if taken by mouth. Large doses may be UNSAFE. Amounts greater than 2-4 grams can cause kidney irritation and heart rate changes.