Frankincense and Myrrh

Timeless Gifts fit for a King

As we enter into the Advent Season, let's turn to the second chapter of Matthew, verses 10-11, where we read about the visit of the wise men: "...they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Then, opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh."

While gold easily makes sense as a gift, frankincense and myrrh might seem like odd choices for a baby. But in the ancient world, these resins were treasures; valuable not just for their rarity, but for their remarkable properties.

The nativity narrative has been told for two thousand years, but the plants themselves have an even longer history. Both frankincense and myrrh were used medicinally and in burial practices for millennia before that night in Bethlehem, and both continue to offer benefits we can use today.

Why Gift Frankincense and Myrrh?

In the ancient world, frankincense and myrrh were precious commodities carried by caravans across long trade routes and were primarily used in three ways: for worship, in medicine, and in burial preparations. Their worth made them fitting gifts for a newborn king, but their everyday practicality made them familiar to the families living in and around Israel at the time.

Both frankincense and myrrh are aromatic resins harvested from hardy desert trees that grow in the arid landscape of the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa. The resin was gathered by making small cuts in the bark of the trees where the sap wept out like golden tears. Once the sap was dry, it would be collected and added to wine, infused into oils for anointing, used in healing balms, or burned as incense.

• Frankincense (Boswellia spp) was used for respiratory issues, digestive complaints (a little powdered resin in warm wine), and fumigation of the air

• Myrrh (Commiphora spp) was used for healing wounds, for oral and skin care, as an anti-inflammatory, and a pain reliever

Modern Applications

Today, frankincense and myrrh are available not only as resin but also as essential oils, and modern research has begun to support some of their traditional uses.

Frankincense (Boswellia spp.)

Herbal (Resin) Uses:

• Respiratory & Immune Support: burn the resin as incense for antimicrobial effects on the air, ease breathing, and offer respiratory support for those with asthma

• Ease Pain & Inflammation: take capsules by mouth, or apply resin-infused oil topically to reduce pain and inflammation

• Skin Care: use infused oils and salves to support damaged skin, including eczema, psoriasis, or dry patches

Aromatherapy (Essential Oil) Uses:

• Joint & Muscle Support: dilute essential oil with a carrier oil (10-12 drops per ounce of carrier oil for 2% dilution) and massage onto sore muscles or inflamed joints

• Respiratory & Immune Support: diffuse frankincense essential oil to ease congestion and support the immune system

• Skin Care: add essential oil to lotion (2-3 drops per ounce of lotion for 0.5% dilution) for dry or aging skin; supports skin regeneration and gentle care

• Stress Reduction: diffuse frankincense essential oil, or massage essential oil diluted in a carrier oil on the feet and back of neck to ease stress and tension

Myrrh (Commiphora spp.)

Herbal (Resin) Uses:

• Wound & Skin Care: apply resin-infused oils to minor cuts, scrapes, sores, acne, wounds, or chapped skin for their antimicrobial and vulnerary properties

• Oral Health: chewing a small piece of resin or using a myrrh tincture as a mouthwash or gargle helps maintain gum and dental health (canker sores, gingivitis, and spongy gums)

• Throat Spray: spritz a myrrh tincture in the back of the throat to ease a sore throat caused by post-nasal drip and fight the potential infection

• Improve Circulation & Ease Pain: use myrrh liniments to help ease sore muscles and arthritic joints, decrease bruising and contusions, and improve blood flow

Aromatherapy (Essential Oil) Uses:

• Respiratory Support: diffuse myrrh essential oil for decongestant and mucolytic support, and ease coughing

• Wound & Skin Care: dilute with carrier oil or aloe vera for minor cuts, scrapes, or slow healing wounds for its antimicrobial and vulnerary support and healing

• Ease Pain & Inflammation: use in oil blends for easing pain, inflammation, and arthritis

Safety Note: Myrrh essential oil should be avoided during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Myrrh hydrosol is a safe alternative for these times.

Recipes

Frankincense Skin Salve

This versatile salve is great for a variety of skin needs

• 2-3 Tbsp frankincense resin, ground into coarse powder

• 4 oz carrier oil (jojoba, almond, or coconut)

• 2 Tbsp beeswax

• 10 drops frankincense (Boswellia carterii or B. sacra) essential oil (optional)

Place powdered frankincense resin into a jar and cover with carrier oil. Heat over low heat for 3-6 hours using a double boiler, or allow to infuse slowly at room temperature for 4-6 weeks. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer and/or cheesecloth.

To make the salve, melt beeswax in a double boiler, then slowly stir in the infused oil. Once the blend is melted, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before adding essential oil. Stir well, then pour into salve tins or jars. Allow to harden before putting on the lids.

Muscle Relief Oil (2% dilution)

A soothing blend for tense or overworked muscles

• 2 Tbsp carrier oil (jojoba, almond, or meadowfoam)

• 5 drops frankincense (Boswellia carterii) essential oil

• 3 drops spike lavender (Lavandula latifolia) essential oil

• 2 drops peppermint (Mentha x piperita) essential oil

Add the essential oils and carrier oil to a bottle with a flip-top lid. Shake gently to blend.

Myrrh Mouthwash/Gargle

This can be diluted and used daily after you brush your teeth

• 1 oz (by weight) myrrh resin, ground into a coarse powder

• 1 oz (by weight) dried sage

• 5 oz (by volume) alcohol, 95% or stronger

Place the myrrh and sage into a glass jar, and pour the alcohol over top, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cap the jar, and set aside to infuse over 4-6 weeks, with occasional gentle shaking. Strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer and/or cheesecloth.

To use, mix ½ tsp tincture with 1 cup warm water + ¼ tsp salt. Rinse and spit.

For post-dental care, increase to 1 tsp of myrrh tincture.

Pain Relief and Respiratory Support Oil (2% dilution)

This oil can be rubbed on the chest to help with respiratory support or over aching muscles

• 2 Tbsp carrier oil (jojoba, almond, or olive, optionally infused with calendula and/or lavender)

• 4 drops myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) essential oil

• 3 drops black spruce (Picea mariana) essential oil

• 3 drops Scotch pine (Pinus sylvestris) essential oil

Add the essential oils and carrier oil to a bottle with a flip-top lid. Shake gently to blend.

Final Thoughts

The wise men brought gifts fitting for a king: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Two thousand years later, these same resins still offer practical benefits. Modern research is validating what ancient physicians observed. We can use them for respiratory support, skin care, oral health, and more.

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