I was reading in my book "Healing Oils of the Bible" by David Stewart Ph.D. and came across this possible help to relieve arthritis pain...
"When Jesus was about to be nailed to the cross at Golgotha he was offered wine mixed with myrrh--Mark 15:23--a common practice at the time. The Romans thought that adding a little myrrh to wine would make it less inebriating and less likely to produce drunkenness. They also claimed that drinking myrrh in wine would alleviate arthritis."
"The Romans often added the oleo-gum-resin of myrrh to wine to prevent it from vinegarizing (turning sour), which also provided a narcotic to deaden pain. Wine laced with myrrh helped Roman soldiers endure the discomforts of military life such as cold, damp nights on the ground. Such wine was also drunk by shepherds sleeping in the fields."
Myrrh is the only essential oil that was included in both the holy anointing oil and the holy incense (Exodus 30:23, 34) and is the most mentioned oil in scripture (156 times), and frankincense is the second most mentioned. A blend of spikenard and myrrh was used to anoint Jesus' feet and head on three different occasions--twice on his feet and once on his head--and scripture mentions it was precious and very costly.
Some of the things I've read say that myrrh cures athlete’s foot and other fungal infections, cold sores (herpes simplex), helps chronic pain, periodontal problems, can be used in mouth washes for bad breath, is antiseptic, it is stimulating but also helps manage stress and frustration, was used in biblical times for anointing and healing the sick, myrrh was one of the gifts the wise men brought to Joseph and Mary and is the most mentioned essential oil in the Bible. Myrrh promotes healing and reduces inflammation--it is stimulating and strengthening and is useful for weak stomachs.
The Egyptians used myrrh for everything from birth to death and found it to be an effective protection from the desert heat, as well as an insect repellent. In pictures of ancient Egyptians you will see cones on their heads—they were lumps of fat saturated with myrrh and perhaps other essential oils. They would place these on their head in the morning and as the heat rose during the day the fat would melt slowly, running down their bodies, keeping their skin moist and repelling insects.
The oleo-resin of the myrrh tree was also chewed as a gum by the Hebrews and other ancient peoples of the Bible. This helped to prevent infectious diseases of the mouth, teeth and gums. Myrrh will help heal and soothe cuts and bruises. The scent of myrrh promotes spiritual awareness.
Myrrh is a powerful immune-stimulating substance and fights infection and is said to help preserve a youthful complexion and soothe the skin. It helps bronchitis, coughs, diarrhea, dysentery, ringworm, thrush, ulcers, viral hepatitis and stretch marks. It is oxygenating to body tissue, mood elevating, creates a sense of well-being, and promotes overall heal, vitality and longevity. The Book of Esther tells us that six of the twelve months devoted to the purification of women were accomplished with oil of myrrh. The oils take time to heal and make their changes, but they do work.
Now that sounds like one amazing essential oil!
P.S. I tried a drop of myrrh in a glass of red wine and it was nice--very nice! Try it…I think you’ll like it.
P.S. March 28, 2011: Susan and I tried our wine with one drop of myrrh and one drop of peppermint and enjoyed it so much! Essential oils are awesome!
