Physical Wellbeing - Why were Frankincense and Myrrh given to Jesus?
Physical Wellbeing - Why were Frankincense and Myrrh given to Jesus?
It’s likely that this has never crossed your mind but perhaps I am doing you a disservice and that is why you’re reading my blog. In current times, it’s easy to appreciate the value in gold but what about Frankincense and Myrrh? Why did the three kings gift Frankincense and Myrrh to Jesus? I am very clear about my negative feelings towards the western interpretation of Christianity and that I see the Bible as a metaphoric record full of misinterpreted wisdom. In this blog, I will take you an a journey to understanding the importance of these two invaluable essential oils and why they were gifted to Jesus.
Frankincense
This mythical essential oil is harvested from the Boswellia tree, which is native to countries in the Arabian Peninsula and Northern Eastern Africa. Because it favours arid growing conditions, that are found in Oman, Yemen and Somalia. Frankincense can be grown elsewhere but if you want the genuine article grown in the best conditions for medicinal and spiritual benefits, you need to source it from it’s natural growing spaces.
Frankincense Growers
Families tend to own small clusters of trees in the mountains, which they pass down through the generations, through the trees have a working life of around 40 years. I use doTERRA and they source our Frankincense from Northern Somalia, where this is the main source of income for people.
Ethical Sourcing of Frankincense
The way the market was set up, no one would invest in improving the harvesting methods and the growers got paid very little, the middle men took advantage of the situation. Once doTERRA arrived, they organised everyone, getting them to work together, got the women involved and paid the correct value.
You can watch more about that here, it’s very interesting.
How is Frankincense made?
A dry resin, created by cutting the tree and allowing the sap to dry before removing it. A tree can take up to 10 shallow cuts, not too close to the roots, before its life force is compromised. And, the farmer must wait until the sap is completely dry before removing it. Thus, this is a slow delicate process. The resin is then steam distilled to create the essential oil. Frankincense has a warm, spicy, and some say clean aroma. To me, she smells quite fresh and citrusy, everyone is different.
Frankincense’s Main Chemical Components
When grown in the right places, these are the correct balance of therapeutic chemical compounds that make the magic happen.
25 - 65% Alpha-pinene (Anti-inflammatory) , 5 - 20% limonene (Disease Preventative, Anti-Stress), 0.1 - 10% Alpha-thujene (Quick absorption, Anti-oxident, Analgesic), 0.1 - 10% beta-Caryophyllene (Reduces inflammation in Brain & associated chemicals causing oxidative stress)
Frankincense’s Therapeutic Abilities
I would imagine that Frankincense was given to Jesus for the following reasons, it is packed with healing properties that work on mind, body and spirit. It can do much more but I am not allowed to tell you what…
Relaxation, reducing skin imperfections, cellular function, immune support, nervous and digestive functions. Relieves minor pain or pain associated with non-disease states such as muscle pain following exercise.
Frankincense is a natural soother, it helps prevent the breakdown of cartilage tissue by inhibiting the production of key inflammatory molecules. And, it is small enough to penetrate the blood brain barrier.
It may also regulate oestrogen production in women, and thus aid our menstrual cycles. If you, like me, have gone through menopause, this essential oil may help to reduce the risk of tumours or cysts.
Historical Application
Used for thousands of years, modern knowledge in our culture comes from its mention in the Bible. However, it has been traded on the Arabian Peninsula for over 6,000 years.
The Egyptians used it for the kohl to outline their eyes, which given its startling effect on rejuvenating the skin, makes perfect sense. I use it in all my beauty creams, deodorant and face oil.
Commonly burned as a spiritual resin or incense, it certainly lends itself well to spiritual connectivity and grounding. I’ve enjoyed Frankincense tea, which is useful in meditations. And, I use it all the time in chakra protecting essential oil blends.
How to use Frankincense
You can apply this essential oil topically, within your skin creams and gels or plainly within a decent carrier oil. This essential oil is safe to take internally in very small doses, like a drop a day. You can also diffuse this essential oil, useful for any spiritual practises or if you are suffering from any respiratory conditions.
This essential oil is said to magnify the effects of any other essential oil it is paired with.
Myrrh
Myrrh is a sort of sister to Frankincense, in that Myrrh essential oil also comes from the same part of the Globe and they are often paired together. Hence why Frankincense and Myrrh were both given to Jesus.
Myrrh is a small thorny tree, known as Commiphora myrrha. Myrrh comes from the Arabic word bitter, “murr”, and can smell bitter especially when burned.
Historical Application
Similarly, usage dates back thousands of years for this powerful antiseptic. Myrrh is known to have been burnt between 5000 and 10000 BC to get rid of evil spirits making people unwell.
The Egyptians used Myrrh for their mummification process, because it helps to remove harmful bacteria. They also used Myrrh for perfume and in face creams and salves for it’s fantastic rejuvenation. I put it in my face oil for sure.
Alexander the Great’s soldiers learnt about it when trying to conquer India, using Myrrh on their battle wounds. The soldiers passed this knowledge down to Hippocrates, one of the fathers of modern medicine and actually sadly responsible for divorcing the spiritual side of health from the physical side.
What is Myrrh?
A similarly golden gummy sap, appearing like tears on the bark’s surface, which needs to be dry to be removed. Myrrh sap is also edible. Myrrh essential oil is also steam distilled and has a dry, woody, herbaceous smell.
Myrrh’s Main Chemical Constituents
15–45% Curzerene (Improve Appearance of Skin, Decongestant) , 15–45% Furanoeudesma- 1,3-diene (Analgesic, Anti-inflammatory), 1–20% Lindestrene (Relaxant, Mood Enhancer)
Myrrh Therapeutic Abilities
Known best for its physical properties, Myrrh essential oil is not only beneficial for health, it was also employed in embalming and religious ceremonies.
Myrrh has powerful cleansing properties, especially for the mouth and throat.
Myrrh is also soothing to the skin when applied topically, tt can take the itch and discomfort out of eczema and similar skin conditions. Myrrh is also a power skin cleanser, healer and rejuvenator and is worth adding into your homemade cosmetics. Especially, if you are looking to fade blemishes and scars.
Myrrh supports cartilage and joint function, making it a boon to tired muscles and aching joints.
Myrrh is a relaxant and soothing essential oil, which helps to diffuse tension on every level and create more balance. For instance, Myrrh works well on out of control hormones and regulates menstrual cycles.
How to use it
This edible essential oil is safe to use as a mouthwash or gargle for anything orally related.
Diffuse, when needing to treat any respiratory disorders or improve the mood.
Add to skincare products, to get the topical benefits and look as wonderful as you can.
Add to a carrier to topically apply to any aches or tension.
Final Word
I hope you now understand why Frankincense and Myrrh were given to Jesus, carrying the same value as gold. Given all that these two power essential oils can offer, I would want these in my pocket at the end of days rather than gold!
Should you feel motivated to learn how to incorporate essential oils into your daily lives, I run a series of Essential Oil Workshops designed to teach you how to do just that. You can chose to personally with me or do them pre-recorded , whatever works best for you.
Or come and enjoy a personal Aromatherapy Session with me, where you can sniff your way through my enormous collection and select a bespoke blend made up of eight of your favourite essential oils.
Buying Essential Oils
The world of Essential Oils is not equal, it is unregulated and only 8% of the ingredient needs to be present for it to be marketed as pure. This means that if you are thinking you’re getting an absolute bargain by paying next to nothing, which I used to think, you’re really not.
They are extremely versatile and magical, so what appears expensive in the first instance is actually very cheap. I’ve done the research for you, I sell the very best, purest Essential Oils, buy from me.
It’s always best to purchase Essential Oils from someone you can trust, who knows what they’re talking about and can be contacted for additional information.