We’re all familiar with the three guys who started the tradition of giving gifts at Christmas.
In the New Testament of the Bible, the Magi (aka the Three Wise men) sought the Christ-child and brought him gifts: gold, frankincense and myrrh.
Now we all know gold makes a pretty nice gift – but what is it about frankincense and myrrh that makes them so valuable? Turns out…there are a lot of health benefits to these two gifts.
What Are Frankincense and Myrrh?
Frankincense and myrrh actually have a few things in common. They are both considered aromatic resins that come from the same plant family. Both are often used in aromatherapy. Frankincense literally means high quality incense.
Frankincense and myrrh are harvested from trees in the Commiphora family through a process called striping. Slashes are made in the bark of the tree to release droplets of sap, which are called tears.
The scent of frankincense is typically described as piney and lemony combined with a sweet, woody aroma. Myrrh has a slightly earthy scent that some say smells like black licorice. Both are often used in religious ceremonies today – just as they were many centuries ago.
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But there’s much more to these two natural components than their fragrance.
Health Benefits of Frankincense
For Stronger Immunity – Frankincense has anti-inflammatory properties. That means it can help reduce symptoms of respiratory issues such as asthma or a cough from the common cold. It is also an anti-septic/disinfectant, so it helps your body fights off germs.
For Pain Relief – Typical body pain may also be improved with frankincense. It is used for headaches and sore muscles as well as PMS pain and reduction of arthritis symptoms.
For Your Skin & Hair – Frankincense has anti-aging properties, making it a nice addition to lotions and skin creams. It is an astringent than can strengthen the roots of your hair while toning and lifting skin to reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
For Improved Digestion – In your digestive system, frankincense can encourage the production of gastric juices like bile. It can also be used as a diuretic.
For Stress & Anxiety – As an oil, it can act as a sedative, promoting feelings of peace and relaxation.
For Better Nutrition – Frankincense can even help your body absorb important nutrients so you get all the benefits of your healthy diet.
- Read More about the health benefits of Frankincense at OrganicFacts.net
Health Benefits of Myrrh
Since they are similar substances, it’s no surprise that Myrrh has many similar health advantages to Frankincense. Like its close cousin – myrrh is an astringent, an immune booster and a sedative for aromatherapy. But it also has its own unique benefits…
For Fighting Infection – Myrrh essential oil has antiviral and anti-fungal properties. It can keep microbes from growing in your body and causing an infection.
For Getting Rid of a Cough – Myrrh can be an effective expectorant and an anti-catarrhal. That means it helps you get rid of phlegm and cough up excess mucus from a cold or other types of respiratory infection.
For Better Circulation – Myrrh can help improve blood flow so that nutrients and oxygen reach every part of your body. Better circulation can also mean better digestion and a sharper mind.
For Faster Healing – When applied to wounds, myrrh acts as a vulnerary, protecting you from infection and promoting healing.
Where Can You Find Frankincense and Myrrh?
Lucky for us, frankincense and myrrh are much easier to come by in modern times. You don’t need a wise man to bring it to you. So we can literally treat ourselves like kings!
Natural Healthy Concepts offers a nice selection of products containing these ingredients. That includes essential oils, lotions and deodorants, as well as supplements.
- Click Here to view items with Frankincense
- Click Here t0 view items with Myrrh
Have you used frankincense or myrrh to benefit your health? What do you think of them as aromatherapy fragrances? Leave us a comment and tell us what you think!
I am trying to figure out how to take these oils internally to help the body absorb nutrients, and the many other internal benefits. Can you tell me how to do this? Or direct me to a website that will explain it to me? Thanks~
Jodi – thanks for reading. I believe most people inhale vapors of essential oils or apply it to the skin. Frankincense comes from the Boswellia tree, and you can also find Boswellia supplements at Natural Healthy Concepts – http://www.naturalhealthyconcepts.com/search.html?q=boswellia
You ca put 1 or 2 drops under your tongue. You will have to get use to the tast although I don’t think it’s too bad.
I use empty gel caps, you can purchase from health food store and use therapeutic grade essential oils, specifically Doterra or Young Living for internal use, I use 2 drips of frankincense 2 drops of myrrh and 2 drops of oregano oil integrated with grapeseed oil into a gel cap and take 2-3 times a day to fight virus or bacteria infection or to just boost immunity…I’ve had wonderful results!
Thanks for writing the article! I do use these oils and think they are so beneficial for our health. I use only the Young Living brand
Hi I need help i’ve been told about these oils and I will try tks,,,,But I was wondering about my 110 german shepard has allergies bad ever sence hes been 12 weeks and now hes 7 yrs we have changed his food done everything lots of docs and allergist alot of annibiotics creams always comes back hes chewing his paws there bleeding biting scratching and now hes dealing with a smelly bacterial on his stomach which is dark in color was told to give him yogurt and organic apple cider vinegar but nothing has worked we are even putting a anti fungal spray and baths need help how to mix and what to use and how much of the frankincense and myrrh tks
Hi, I can only tell You what I do and How it’s worked for My dog and Myself. I go over board as I only grow, eat, basically every thing I buy for My Dog and I is chemically free-non gmo’s (genetically Modified organism) look it up in the Wikipedia, free encyclopedia. I buy totally organic Non GMO everything. Everything You put on Your skin goes into Your blood stream ect, ect. I have to go, have to go help a friend by by 4:30
Hi, so sorry about your pet. I just found a site that might help it is http://www.experience-essential-oils.com/ benefits-of-myrrh.html It looks like they may have salves for dogs skin conditions. Hope this helps!
Things work a lot different in pets than they do humans and what is good for us can be toxic to them. Take your dog to a hollistic specialist before proceeding. I’m a vet tech.
There is also a really good natural bar and liquid soap called Dr bronners. This would be good to bath him in. They have a lot of good scents. Such as equalyptus. Almond. Citrus. Rose. Tea tree oil. You need to check out their website. Once you have tried this soap you will never want to go back to other soaps. I Love it. I hope you do to
We love Dr. Bronner’s soaps – you can shop here with free shipping!
There is a website called http://www.beardbay.com that has some pretty amazing beard oils. One of them is called 3 gifts. The ingredients include frankincense essential oil, myrrh essential oil, and golden jojoba oil. It is an amazing product that you should definitely check out if you have a beard and like frankincense and myrrh.
How long can you store organic frankincense and myrrh? I would like to stock up.
I like Swanson Products. They have a magazine. And a web site.
I have read that you can take a drop of frankincense with a teaspoon of honey, would this also work with myrrh?
As with many things in life, they do not taste nearly as good as they smell.
Hi xesia
My dog was suffering from all kinds of allergies the same. Biting scratching etc. Frontlined every month so it wasnt fleas.
I Bought her home a companoin. That made a huge difference. It must have been stress and loneliness. The hydrobath at the local servo then fixed the rest. You get a shampo, rinse, conditioner, flea rinse and blow dry for $15.00.
Hope this helps.
I REMBER GOING THROUGH THIS.??
It’s great that you’ve mentioned that frankincense and myrrh can give numerous benefits such as being an astringent, an immunity booster, and also a sedative for aromatherapy – all of this, along with their unique benefits. My wife wants to have a better smelling home and she’s considering getting essential oils. I’ll suggest to her that we can buy frankincense and myrrh essential oils online and experience their effects at home.
What’s up mates, its fantastic piece of writing about tutoringand entirely explained, keep it up all the time.
I suffered from acid reflux and flatulence so much until a friend advised me put 2 drops of frankincense in half a glass of water and drink.
After 3 days I felt so much better. A week later I had no acid reflux, no flatulence and my breath is very fresh. A miracle.