The meanings, uses of the gifts of the Magi

By Jonathan Evans Herbal Information Specialist /Business Representative for the Herbarium Special to PRIME Happy Holiday Season, friends and readers. This Christmas season it seems appropriate to give you a little information on the background of the three gifts given to the Christ Child. Practically everyone knows these gifts were the items gold, frankincense and myrrh, but very few people have an understanding of why these gifts were so precious, physically and symbolically. There are many stories associated with the gifts; this version is the one I have felt a connection with over the years. The gifts First, let's look at gold. Most people understand the meaning of gold as a gift. On a spiritual level, however, it exemplified Christ's earthly kingship and power. But what of the other two gifts, frankincense and myrrh? These plant-based items items have very interesting histories. Myrrh (Comiphora myrrh) is a resin, and was a valued commodity 2,000 years before Christ. It is mentioned in Exodus, Psalms, Esther and the New Testament. Moses was instructed to anoint priests with myrrh, and the Egyptians employed myrrh in their embalming process. Myrrh has very powerful antiseptic and astringent properties. It kills virus and bacteria, so it was highly prized and very difficult to come by. The best myrrh came from the lower Arabian peninsula, and was brought hundreds of miles through the scorching desert by caravan. I read in "National Geographic" magazine that the trees that the myrrh resin is harvested from have been owned by the same family for more than a thousand years! Think about it in the Middle East two millennia ago, a simple cut or wound could become infected and cause serious illness or death. Having ointments made with myrrh could save one's life, and only the wealthy or royalty would have been able to afford it. On a spiritual level, myrrh was also seen as a portent of Christ's death, as myrrh would be one of the items used to prepare a body for burial. In Eastern traditions, myrrh is said to "strengthen spirituality and build a bridge between heaven and earth." Frankincense (Boswellia serrata) has also been used for millennia, and from my research, it appears it has always had a strong spiritual connection. Biblically, frankincense was burned in the temple of Solomon, in the Holy of Holies; the smoke from the resin would carry the prayers to Heaven. Spiritually it is obvious why the Wise Men brought frankincense to the Christ Child, symbolizing his spiritual power and authority. Frankincense is still used today in the Catholic Church. In Eastern philosophy and subtle energy therapy, frankincense will help calm and center a person. It connects us with the eternal and divine, and strengthens one's spirituality. It is a very good oil when used for meditation. Modern uses of Frankincense, Myrrh Today, frankincense and myrrh are most commonly used as incense, sometimes alone or in combination with other resins. Most people will get the resin in pieces and burn it on charcoal disks or in a censer (if you are Eastern or Roman Catholic, that's the object the priest is swinging with all the smoke coming out of it) The oils are also available and can be burned in a similar fashion. Myrrh is used in a variety of ways. Veterinarians still use unguents containing myrrh to heal wounds. It is very effective on mucous membrane, for mouth ulcers and canker sores. We have quite a few people at the Herbarium who have used myrrh powder as a mouth rinse or brushed it gently on the gums to help with gingivitis. Myrrh is also one of the ingredients in my wife, Kathy's, Magic Salve, which we use for many skin conditions. It is also a component in Kathy's Herbal Bandage. Myrrh in action Several years ago I was doing a talk and afterward, one of the attendees slipped and fell, cutting a nasty three corner gash just above his eye. He was bleeding quite a bit and there was no first aid kit at the location, so I ran out to my truck, grabbed the Herbal Bandage which I always carry and brought it to the man. We washed the cut and then I sprinkled the powder onto his cut. It stopped the bleeding and hardened up like a cast. He then went to Baystate Medical Center's Emergency Ward. Some days later, the fellow came in to tell me the doctor who treated him was swearing about how tough the Herbal Bandage was to remove. He said the doctor said "you could repair potholes with the stuff." Aside from that, the doctor was impressed with how well the powder had protected the wound and kept it from getting infected. Frankincense is also a very powerful anti-bacterial and antiseptic. It is rather interesting to contemplate how the ancients knew the physical and spiritual power of frankincense and how it has always been strongly identified with the divine. A blessed and peaceful Christmas and Holiday season to all and a healthy and prosperous New Year. Jonathan Please send your questions on botanical remedies to Natures Rx : Jonathan Evans via e-mail at info@theherbarium.com, or by regular mail at The Herbarium, 264 Exchange Street, Chicopee, MA 01013.