Life of Brian - Three Wise Men
Well what is myrrh, anyway?- Monty Python's Life of Brian
As per the Biblical tale, as recounted in Matthew 2:1-12,an infant Jesus of Nazareth was visited in Bethlehem on the eve of his birth by Magi bearing gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
To our modern sensibilities, these three gifts don't seem quite even. Gold, then as now, is a highly valuable treasure. But frankincense and myrrh... what even are they?
According to Simon Cotton for Chemistry World,frankincense and myrrh are sap, drawn from the Boswellia sacra and Commiphora trees, respectively. Frankincense was often burned as an incense, while myrrh made its way into medicine and perfume. In antiquity, writes Cotton, these saps were worth just as much as gold.
But as modern science has shown, these Magi (or wise men or kings, as they've come to be known)may have been onto something with their gifts. More than just aromatic compounds, frankincense and myrrh have interesting medicinal properties.
“From tests on mice, chemists at the University of Florence have found that molecules in myrrh act on the brain’s opioid receptors, explaining its painkilling action,” says Cotton.
The key active ingredient in frankincense, boswellic acid, meanwhile, “has a structure not dissimilar from some hormones liketestosterone.”
Boswellic acids have anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects, so that they are finding pharmacological use in both East and West. These compounds seem to work by preventing the body from making pro-inflammatory compounds, whilst they also exert antitumor effects in colorectal cancer cells.
Atop its analgesic action, myrrh also seems to have anti-cancer properties.
Of the Magi's three gifts, maybe gold was the least valuable of all?
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Colin Schultz | | READ MORE
Colin Schultz is a freelance science writer and editor based in Toronto, Canada. He blogs for Smart News and contributes to the American Geophysical Union. He has a B.Sc. in physical science and philosophy, and a M.A. in journalism.
FAQs
Each of these precious gifts has a symbolic meaning. Frankincense was used for worship in the Temple; it is symbolic of Christ the High Priest. Gold is symbolic of Christ the King. Myrrh a perfume, was used to anoint dead bodies, it is symbolic of His death for the sake of truth, and therefore of Christ the Prophet.
What does frankincense and myrrh do together? ›
In TCM, frankincense and myrrh are both traditional remedies for promoting blood circulation and removing blood stasis. They often appear in the same prescription in the form of drug pairs. They usually have stronger synergistic effects than single medicines.
What is the significance of burning frankincense and myrrh? ›
Since ancient times, burning of frankincense and myrrh in places of worship for spiritual purposes and contemplation (a ubiquitous practice across various religions) had hygienic functions, to refine the smell and reduce contagion by purifying the indoor air.
What is the significance of the three wise men? ›
There they found Mary and the baby Jesus and offered him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. As gentiles who acknowledged Christ's divinity, the Magi claim an essential role in the Epiphany, the manifestation of God to the world.
Why did Jesus get frankincense? ›
The frankincense represents Jesus' deity. In the Old Testament, frankincense was traditionally burned in the temple as an offering to God (Leviticus 2:2). By bringing this gift, the Magi affirmed Jesus was no ordinary man; he is both fully man and fully God.
What is frankincense and myrrh used for today? ›
Today, frankincense and myrrh are still commonly used in cosmetics and medicines but also play a significant role in modern aromatherapy as an alternative treatment for anxiety and depression.
What is myrrh called today? ›
Myrrh gum is commonly harvested from the species Commiphora myrrha. Another commonly used name, Commiphora molmol, is now considered a synonym for Commiphora myrrha. Commiphora myrrha is native to Somalia, Oman, Yemen, Eritrea, Somali Region of Ethiopia and parts of Saudi Arabia.
What happens when you drink frankincense and myrrh? ›
Frankincense, along with myrrh, has been prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine and administered for the treatment of blood stagnation and inflammation diseases in addition to pain relief and swelling. There's some evidence that it can help with infection and inflammation.
Why is frankincense so powerful? ›
Frankincense or Boswellia serrata has been used traditionally as a medication against inflammatory diseases for a long time. Besides α- and β-boswellic acid, it contains other pentacyclic triterpenic acids, which inhibit pro-inflammatory processes via 5-lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase.
What are the magical benefits of frankincense and myrrh? ›
They are still used for spiritual “anointing” and in energy work, where the vibrational frequency of these oils can uplift the spirit, draw on spiritual and emotional protection, and aid in meditation. They may be diffused in the air, as at holiday time, or applied on the chakras or energy tapping treatment points.
Pain relief and wound healing
Aside from cancer, one study found that a mixture of frankincense and myrrh alleviated neuropathic pain in mice. Again, although this combination has been prescribed for pain for thousands of years, the evidence is still scant.
What smells better, frankincense or myrrh? ›
Frankincense is often mentioned together with it's cousin myrrh, another aromatic and earthy scent derived from the resin of the Commiphora tree which also has a long history in religion and spirituality. When comparing the two scents, frankincense is considered sweeter and warmer while myrrh is more earthy and bitter.
What did Mary and Joseph do with the gold, frankincense, and myrrh? ›
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.
What is the moral of three wise guys? ›
This story speaks to the fact that God makes every effort to reach every person on earth with His message no matter how far away they are from Him. God never abandons anyone, and there is no person or group of people that is too far gone to be able to come to Him.
What does myrrh symbolize? ›
The favorite preaching point about the gifts is their mystical meaning. The preacher will tell us that gold stands for the Christ child's kingly status, frankincense for his divinity, and myrrh for the anointing at his sacrificial death.
What is the spiritual meaning of frankincense? ›
Used in religious and spiritual rituals for thousands of years, frankincense is a symbol of holiness and righteousness. Because it is so fragrant when burnt, it was used by ancient people as a religious offering. In Christian symbolism, frankincense can represent Christ's sacrifice.
Why was myrrh a good gift for Jesus? ›
Myrrh is not only a symbol of Christ's death but also of the spiritual death that should come to you for your sin.
What is the spiritual benefit of myrrh essential oil? ›
In aromatherapy, Myrrh Essential Oil is known to offer relief for colds, congestion, coughs, bronchitis, and phlegm. Inhaling its sedative scent is known to lift negative moods, promote the feeling of being grounded, and encourage the feeling of spiritual awakening.
What are the five spiritual gifts? ›
Each of the five ministry gifts (apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher) are common social/cultural topics. The first ministry gift listed, apostle, has significant meaning for the first-century church.
/tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/accounts/headshot/smartnews-colin-schultz-240.jpg "There’s More to Frankincense and Myrrh Than Meets the Eye (3)")
