Myrrh

There is much to be said about Myrrh and much has been written about this fantastic herb. It is responsible for glowing radiant skin, is a great disinfectant for wounds, supports the immune system, enhances the body’s natural defenses and has a powerful history to boot.

A Bundle of myrrh is my well-beloved unto me; he shall lie all night betwixt my breasts. (Song of Solomon 1:13)

Myrrh, a fragrant gum resin, comes from a small bushy tree (Commiphora myrrha and Commiphora Gileadensis), cultivated in ancient times in the Arabian Peninsula, Israel and Ethiopia. Myrrh is collected when the cultivator makes a small cut in the bark, allowing the gum resin to leak out. It is then collected and stored for about three months until it hardens into a fragrant, crystal like form. It can be used raw or crushed and mixed with oil to make a perfume. It still is in fact. Many fragrances on the market today use myrrh to accentuate their perfumes. It is also used medicinally to reduce swelling and stop pain. This makes a lot of sense in that the gum that leaks out of the tree is meant to heal the tree itself, so it stands to reason that the resin would be packed full of healing properties.

I arose to open to my beloved, and my hands dripped with myrrh, my fingers with liquid myrrh, on the handles of the lock. (Song of Solomon 5:5)

Myrrh for Anointing

Myrrh was also the oil offered to Christ at the beginning and the end of His life. It is listed in the first and last books of the Bible. Jesus was anointed with this highly prized and expensive oil several times in the scriptures:

“While Jesus was in Bethany sitting at the table in the home of Simon the leper, a woman arrived with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume made from pure nard. She broke open the jar and poured the perfume on his head.” (Mark 14:3)

"Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil." (Exodus 30:23–25)

Myrrh for your skin

Myrrh, the very name of it is beautiful. Perhaps that’s why it was used on Esther for six months prior to her marrying King Ahasuerus. Myrrh is referenced quite often in the Bible, about 156 times, but the story of Esther is one of my favorites.

Now when the turn came for each young woman to go in to King Ahasuerus, after being twelve months under the regulations for the women, since this was the regular period of their beautifying, six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments for women—when the young woman went in to the king in this way... (Esther 2:12-13, ESV)

As with all essential oils, I always recommend using a good quality 100% therapeutic grade essential oil. Do not cut corners and use synthetic oils. Synthetic oils are toxic and usually do just the opposite of the desired effect. Drop a few drops of Myrrh into an all-natural moisturizer that you are already using or If you make your own, all the better, here are some super simple tips I suggest:

If you have a favorite carrier oil use that. I love Jojoba oil, its great in helping reduce scarring and absorbs easily. Add a few drops of Myrrh Essential oil and any other essential oil that you hold near and dear. Since Myrrh is not only great for restoring and soothing dry skin and reducing wrinkles and fine lines, it is also a synergistic oil that enhances the quality of any oil it is mixed with. I would also recommend using Argan oil as a carrier oil as it has great anti-aging properties and gives you a beautiful glow as well. Coconut oil is another great carrier and in the summer months’ raspberry seed oil (about 35-50 SPF) and pomegranate oil are my oils of choice due to its SPF qualities (20-25). Myrrh also helps to reduce stress, frustration, and helps carry oxygen to body tissue. It is a wonderful oil for your overall health and wellness, vitality and longevity.

Skin care doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated.

Have fun creating your very own line of skin care products, they are bound to be more effective and healthy than those expensive name brands for sure.

Have Fun!

Michele

(Sources: Healing oils of the Bible by David Stewart PH.D.)