Wise men from the East are among the favorite Christmas story characters along with the angels, shepherds, and, of course, Mary, Joseph, and baby Jesus. Tradition says there were three wise men, but the truth is that the exact number of wise men is unknown. The Bible does not say how many wise men there were, but Scripture does specifically list three gifts brought by the wise men to present to the Christ child, resulting in the usual depiction of three wise men--one carrying each gift. The gifts they brought to the newborn King were highly valued and worthy of royalty: gold, frankincense, and myrhh. Although these items don't usually make the top of our Christmas wish lists, we would be wise to learn about their uses and health benefits.
FRANKINCENSE essential oil is made by steam-distilling the raw resin of Boswellia trees, which grow in regions of Africa and Arabia. It is traditionally burned as incense and has been revered in the Middle East for thousands of years as an anointing oil.
Frankincense essential oil has been called the King of Oils, and is one of the top essential oils used for health today. Inhaled or diffused, Frankincense oil is used in aromatherapy for its comforting and sedative properties. It promotes feelings of peace, relaxation, and satisfaction while reducing feelings of anger, anxiety, and stress. Frankincense essential oil (not fragrance oil) is considered a tonic since it benefits all of the body's operating systems, including the digestive, excretory, nervous, and respiratory systems. It promotes healthy cell regeneration and keeps existing cells and tissues healthy. It strengthens the immune system and aids in the absorption of nutrients. Frankincense oil has anti-inflammatory, astringent, antiseptic, disinfectant, digestive, diuretic, and expectorant properties, and it can cross the blood-brain barrier. It can be used to treat many conditions, including the following:
- Skin health (dry skin, scars and stretch marks, signs of aging, acne, insect bites, boils)
- Oral health (treats bad breath, mouth sores, cavities, tooth aches, infections; strengthens gums)
- Wound care (stops bleeding, speeds healing)
- Colds/respiratory conditions (breaks up phlegm, relieves bronchial-related congestion)
- Digestive disorders (speeds up secretion of gastric juices, bile, and acids; stimulates proper food movement through the intestines)
- Uterine health (regulates estrogen production, regulates the menstrual cycle of premenopausal women; reduces formation of post-menopause cysts and tumors, reducing the risk of uterine cancer)
- Arthritis/Rheumatoid Arthritis (inhibits production of key inflammatory molecules, helping prevent the breakdown of cartilage tissue; used topically as an effective natural painkiller)
- Cancer (an agent in this oil stops cancer from spreading and also induces cancerous cells to self-destruct). I know of a young lady who cured her brain stem tumor by taking Frankincense oil drops on the roof of her mouth!
Using essential oils: essential oils are very powerful, concentrated substances, and are best used under the guidance of a qualified health practitioner. Both Frankincense and Myrhh oils may be inhaled (diffused or used in a vaporizer), and applied topically--either alone or with a carrier oil (People with skin sensitivities may want to test a small area of skin first.). Frankincense oil may be ingested in very small amounts (a drop or two under the tongue/on the roof of the mouth, or one drop in an edible carrier oil such as coconut oil, with a teaspoon of honey, or in purified water). For internal use, check the label to ensure the oil being used is made for internal use, as not all brands are. Myrhh oil is approved by the FDA as a food additive and flavoring agent, but it is still recommended to get advice from a health professional.
Contraindications: Neither oil is recommended internally for children ages six and under. They can both have
blood-thinning effects, so are not indicated for those with bleeding disorders or taking anticoagulants.
Neither is recommended for pregnant or nursing women.
MYRHH essential oil is made from the bark of the Commiphora myrrha tree, which is the same plant family as the Boswellia tree. Myrhh has enjoyed popularity among ancient cultures: the Chinese used it medicinally; ancient Egyptians used it medicinally, as an embalming agent for their pharoahs, and in the heavy kohl eyeliner worn by their women; ancient Greek soldiers took myrhh resin into battle to help stop bleeding wounds. It has been used for thousands of years as an incense and as a holy oil in religious ceremonies.
Myrhh oil is commonly used today in skin care products and fragrances, as a natural ingredient in mouthwashes and toothpaste, in food as flavoring, and in embalming. Myrhh oil contains compounds that can affect the hypothalamus, amygdala, and pituitary--specific parts of the brain which control emotions and produce many important hormones. These compounds are largely responsible for its calming effects on the mind and body. Myrrh oil is valuable as an aromatherapy oil that can be used for massages, mixed in bathwater, or simply applied on the skin.
Myrhh oil is antioxidant, antifungal, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, anti-parasitic, expectorant, and antispasmodic. It strengthens and activates your immune system to prevents infection and putrefaction, which helps clear toxins and promote tissue repair. Myrhh oil can be beneficial for many health conditions, including the following:
- Skin infections (athlete's foot, ringworm, weeping eczema, bedsores, boils, carbuncles, acne)
- Skin care (prevents the signs of aging and soothes cracked or chapped skin, relieves sores and wounds)
- Oral diseases (eliminates dental infections, relieves toothache, gingivitis, mouth ulcers; freshens breath)
- Respiratory problems (relieves congestion and expels phlegm; works well against coughs, colds, and sore throats)
- Digestive ailments (helps cure upset stomach, diarrhea, dyspepsia, indigestion, flatulence and hemorrhoids; promotes digestive health)
- Cancer (effective against prostate and other reproductive organ cancers)
GOLD You might wonder what health benefits gold can offer. Well, it has been suggested that the wise men's gift of gold may not have been the precious metal but rather a powerful golden spice. Tumeric is a common spice used in Indian cooking and is a bright golden-yellow color. It has a lengthy history of medicinal uses, and its bioactive ingredient, CURCUMIN, is one of the most well-studied nutrients in the world.
Curcumin's anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-microbial, and anti-cancer properties are among its 150-plus potentially therapeutic activities. Curcumin has a vast array of mechanisms using numerous pathways to affect many different cells, hormones, and molecules in the body, allowing it to have multiple health benefits and to prevent multiple diseases. Curcumin can be therapeutic for lung and liver diseases, cardiovascular diseases, neurological diseases, metabolic diseases, autoimmune diseases, and inflammatory diseases. It supports brain, heart, and digestive health; promotes wound healing and relieves pain; suppresses rheumatoid arthritis symptoms and relieves osteoarthritis pain; protects against cataracts.
Curcumin is able to pass the blood-brain barrier, and it, along with another nutrient in turmeric, has shown great promise in combatting neurological conditions like Parkinson's and Alzheimers.
Curcumin is also a super-hero nutrient in the cancer-fighting realm, which is how I first learned of it. There is more evidence-based literature supporting the use of curcumin against cancer than for any other nutrient. It is also unique in the fact that it is effective against any and all types of cancer due to its ability to affect more than 100 different intra-cellular molecular pathways. Curcumin suppresses the formation, growth, and spread of tumors. Research has also shown that curcumin can work in conjunction with conventional chemotherapy, making it more targeted and effective. Unlike chemotherapy, however, curcumin has zero side effects and targets only the cancer cells, leaving normal cells unharmed.
Considering its abundance of health benefits, it should be a no-brainer to add the spice turmeric to your cooking. It can also be taken in supplement form--just be sure you purchase a high-quality supplement (third party verified and satisfaction guaranteed) with at least 95% curcumin content and no fillers or unnecessary added ingredients.
Hopefully the next time you see or hear the Christmas nativity story with the wise men and their gifts to the Savior, you will think of Gold, Frankincense, and Myrhh in a whole new way!
