Myrrh The Great Healer For Infections, Colds, and Flu

Myrrh is one of the most important herbs mentioned in the bible. Myrrh was one of the three gifts given to the baby Jesus by the wise men. You can find this recount in Mathew 2:11. When Jesus was crucified later, his body was wrapped in myrrh and aloes. This was the burial custom of the day by the Jews. Why was Myrrh given as a gift? Why was it used in the burial process for Jesus and other Jews? Learn about the history and healing properties of this potent medicinal herb, Myrrh.

Myrrh (Commifera Myrrha or dindin tree) is a tree that is etched into ancient history. Its gift is not its leaves or fruit, but the aromatic, bitter gum-resin that flows from its bark when cut. There are almost 135 different species that range from scrubs to small trees. The harvesters slash the bark, the gum-resin oozes out, it is left to harden, then scraped off, dried, and ground into a powder. Myrrh is then made into ointments, perfumes, and herbal medicine.

Myrrh Is An Ancient Tree: The oldest records for the use of Myrrh go back to 1500 B.C. where it is listed in the ancient Papyrus Ebers for mummification and treatment of wounds. In the 11TH century Myrrh was spread to other countries such as Egypt, Africa, Persia, Greece, and China by wandering spice traders.

Religious Importance: Myrrh is burned as incense with the belief that prayers are being sent up into heaven with the white smoke. Myrrh was a precious herb to the people of that time. The gift of Myrrh showed honor, respect and love.

Why was the body of Jesus wrapped with myrrh and aloes? Myrrh and other perfumes were used to delay decay of the body and to reduce death odors. The aloe and myrrh in also made the body wrappings stick together. Myrrh was also burned during the cremation of the body.

Other historic uses were to perfume undergarments, bed linens, as a sachet worn between a woman's breasts, and used to anoint the feet to show respect. Remember baths were few and far between so body odor and house odors got pretty strong. Clothes didn't get washed often either. Imagine wearing your gym clothes for a week straight. They needed something to kill the odor and bacteria. Myrrh worked.

Historic and General Native Usage: Used generally by all cultures for worms, parasites and infections of all sorts.

Myrrh and Ayurvedic Medicine: Called guggul and prescribed for circulation problems, arthritis, and to soothe the nervous system. It is also used to reduce cholesterol and high blood pressure.

Myrrh and East African Medicine: Used historically and today to treat snake bites and other venomous bites. It is also used for colds, coughs, diarrhea, and treatment of wounds, venereal disease, and female disorders.

Myrrh Used by Chinese and Tibetan medicine: used historically and now to treat bone pain, menstrual problems, wounds, leprosy, cancer, gonorrhea, and other infections.

Myrrh and Middle Eastern Religion: Myrrh is used in the Middle East as medicine by a good percentage of the people for the same ailments as stated above.

Myrrh and Female Problems: Myrrh is used to treat dysmenorrheal, amenorrhea, and vaginal infections. It is used as a douche.

It is interesting to note that generally Myrrh is used by all of these cultures for the same conditions. In these countries doctors administer herbal medicines. These doctors have gone to school as American doctors do here. The difference is they use both herbal medicine and standard medicine at times. They combine the best of both worlds to help their patient get healing. That should give you a good indication of the fact that Myrrh does work for these ailments, despite the lack of double-blind studies. Native use over thousands of years is an excellent demonstration of Myrrh's effectiveness

Modern Research Validation for Historic Native Usage:

Myrrh's Usage in The Food Industry: used to flavor baked goods, beverages, candy, gelatins, puddings, soft drinks and Swedish bitters,

Industrial Applications Using Myrrh: It is used as an adhesive thickener, stabilizer, fixative, emulsifying agent, clarification for beverages, release agent for rubber products, and tons of it is used for chewing gum. Myrrh is used as an insecticide, termite and mosquito repellent.

Modern Day German Medicine: myrrh gum-resin and myrrh tincture are listed officially in the German Pharmacopoeia and Commission E Monographs. The tincture dosage is approved in the German Standard License Monograph. It is approved for dental OTC remedies, mouthwash, toothpaste, ointments, and in tablet form. It is approved as treatment for thrush in infants.

Germany does not approve anything without scientific research. Their drugs, vitamins, and herbs are all controlled by German pharmaceutical companies. These pharmaceutical companies control all herbs in Europe now.

Government Approval: Myrrh is approved by most governments for OTC products such as toothpaste and mouthwash.

Myrrh and Parasites: It has been proven by research to work against many parasites. Its historic use for this purpose has been borne out by research

Myrrh Contains Antimicrobial Effects: Lab research has shown that myrrh is effective against Pseudomonas Aeruginosa, Staphylococcus Aureus, and Escherichia Coli. This means it is a natural, effective antibiotic for use in coughs, colds, and illness. A nasty sore throat would benefit from Myrrh capsules internally and mouthwash containing Myrrh and Tea Tree Oil. Staph or strep is usually responsible for sore throats. E.Coli is food poisoning.

Veterinarian Medicine: Myrrh is made into a tincture for application on horse and cattle wounds.

Anti-fungal Properties: effective against Candida Albicans which is a fungal infection. Used as a douche.

Glucose Lowering Effects: Laboratory research has shown that Myrrh may lower blood sugar levels. If you are taking Myrrh for a cold and are taking diabetic prescription drugs, monitor your blood sugar more carefully.

Tumors: There is not research to back up Myrrh's use in tumors but that does not mean it does not work. Since it is used for tumors in other healing modalities such as Chinese medicine, I would say that it probably does work. If you want double-blind studies right now, they are not there.

Check out the references below to learn more. The more your learn the more you will want to know about herbal medicine.

References:

http://www.eap.gov.et/content/files/Documents/EAP%20Documents/Agricultural%20Comodities/Crop/Gum%20and%20Incence/frankincense%20and%20myrth%20resources%20of%20ethiopia.pdf

http://www.drugs.com/npp/myrrh.html

http://ww2.netnitco.net/~legend01/myrrh.htm

http://www.naha.org/articles/frankincense%20and%20myrrh.htm

http://www.herbcompanion.com/growing/ancient-herbs-modern-uses-myrrh.aspx

http://www.botanical.com/botanical/mgmh/m/myrrh-66.html