New to KBR for 2013: 10 Neat Things, A New Lifestyle Column

This week: Ten neat things about frankincense and myrhh

We hope you had a lovely Christmas. Here are some interesting post-Christmas factoids about frankincense and myrhh, two of the three wise men’s gifts: 

1. Treasures from trees. The wise men from the East arrived at the birth of Jesus bearing three precious gifts. One was gold. The other two, frankincense and myrhh, were worth their weight in gold.

2. Tears of the trees. Frankincense and myrrh were harvested from trees, myrrh from thr thorny, bushy Commiphora myrrah and Ffrankincense from the Boswellia tree. Small cuts were made in the bark causing the trees to weep. The resin that dripped from the bark, especially of frankincense, was known as “tears.”

3. Myrrh for the dead. Myrrh was used to anoint the dead and to preserve mummies in Egypt. It had a powerful perfume, a bit balsamic and smoky.

4. Myrrh for the living. Useful as it was for the dead, myrrh was even more useful for the living. It was used to treat numerous ailments, from arthritis to asthma to cancer. Even today, it is known for its ability to relieve arthritic pain by checking the inflammation that breaks down cartilage and causes pain. Rubbing it on inflamed gums can bring immediate relief.

5. Myrrh for Jesus. Just as myrrh was present at the birth of Jesus, so it was at his death. When he was on the cross, it was offered to him mixed with wine to relieve his pain. He refused the drink. Some say 75 pounds and others say 100 pounds of myrrh were brought to anoint his body.

6. Frankincense rooted in rock. The Boswellia tree grows in northern Africa. The best tears come from Boswellia sacra and those trees that grow out of sheer rock. A network of buttressing roots attaches to the rock like a succubus, preventing the tree from being uprooted by violent storms.

7. Becoming “incensed.”  Frankincense is thought to be psychoactive. According to the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in a 2008 report, burning incense can relieve anxiety and depression. As one report says: “Burning incense can make you feel warm and tingly all over.” It is said to activate “ion channels” in the brain.

8. Frankincense for cancer. Bowsellic acid, derived from the same tree as frankincense, kills cancer cells. A report by the University of Oklahoma Sciences Center states: “Frankincense appears to distinguish cancerous from normal bladder cells and to suppress cancer cell viability.”

9. All tapped out. The Boswellia tree is endangered. Animals love to eat its leaves and fruit and, because frankincense is still in great demand, it is overharvested. This is exacerbated by the fact that tapped trees produce a harvest of seeds that are only 16% viable (untapped tree seeds are 80% viable). The tree needs to be eight to 10 years old before resin can be harvested.

10. Don't be fooled by Myrrus odorata. Also known as “sweet cicely,” this herb bears no relationship to myrrh. It is simply named for myrrh because of its pleasant odour. It may also have been honoured with the name because it, too, has healing properties. The roots are used to treat a wide range of inflammation including gout and snakebite. It is also useful as a tonic to lift the spirit!

Copyright© Pegasus Publications, Inc.

Dorothy Dobbie is the author of 10 Neat Things, published by Pegasus Publications and is a new contributor to KBR.