What tree is myrrh from?

myrrh, (from Arabic murr, “bitter”), bitter-tasting, agreeably aromatic, yellow to reddish brown oleoresinous gum obtained from various small, thorny, flowering trees of the genus Commiphora, of the incense-tree family (Burseraceae). The two main varieties of myrrh are herabol and bisabol.

What trees do frankincense and myrrh come from?

“Frankincense and myrrh are both resins -- dried tree sap -- that come from trees of the genus Boswellia (frankincense) and Commiphora (myrhh), which are common to Somalia and Ethiopia,” said Rhonda Ferree.

What does myrrh tree look like?

Myrrh trees have an appearance akin to a short, flat-topped hawthorn tree with gnarled branches. These scrubby, solitary trees grow among the rocks and sands of the desert. The only time they begin to attain any sort of lushness is in the spring when their green flowers appear just before the leaves sprout.

Where is myrrh native?

Myrrh - American Botanical Council. Commiphora myrrha is a small, thorny tree or shrub that can grow to 9 feet tall. It is native to southwest Asia, including Arabia, and most commonly east and northeast Africa near the region of the Red Sea or Arabian Gulf,^3-6 specifically Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya.

What is myrrh called today?

Myrrh gum is commonly harvested from the species Commiphora myrrha. Another commonly used name, Commiphora molmol, is now considered a synonym of Commiphora myrrha. Commiphora myrrha is native to Somalia, Oman, Yemen, Eritrea, (Somali Region of) Ethiopia and parts of Saudi Arabia.

Why Frankincense And Myrrh Are So Expensive

Where do myrrh trees grow?

Herabol myrrh is obtained from C. myrrha, which grows in Ethiopia, Arabia, and Somalia, while bisabol myrrh is obtained from C. erythraea, which is an Arabian species of similar appearance. Myrrh trees are found on parched rocky hills and grow up to 3 m (9 feet) tall.

What is myrrh worth?

Myrrh is produced as a resin from the Commiphora tree, native to Yemen, Ethiopia and Somalia. A pound of granular myrrh for incense sold by a vendor called New Age on Amazon.com runs $13.95.

Can you eat myrrh resin?

When taken by mouth: Myrrh is LIKELY SAFE for most people when used in the small amounts found in food. Myrrh is POSSIBLY SAFE when used appropriately as medicine. It can cause some side effects such as diarrhea. But large doses of myrrh are POSSIBLY UNSAFE.

What does myrrh smell like?

Myrrh is resinous with an aromatic woody and slight medicinal smell. It can range from bitter and astringent to warm and sweet. Similar to frankincense or pine, it's a cooling scent.

Is Myrtle the same as myrrh?

In contrary to the fragrant evergreen myrtle leaves, myrrh is a desert tree that when gets hurt produces resin "tears" with a bitter, penetrating aroma ("marr" means "bitter" in Hebrew and is the root for "morr", the Hebrew name of myrrh).

Is myrrh and frankincense the same?

Frankincense and myrrh are both resins extracted from trees in the Burseraceae family, also known as the torchwood or incense family. Frankincense comes from the dried sap of Boswellia trees, while myrrh comes from the lifeblood of the Commiphora.

What is myrrh good for?

Myrrh is used to make medicine. Myrrh is used for indigestion, ulcers, colds, cough, asthma, lung congestion, arthritis pain, cancer, leprosy, spasms, and syphilis. It is also used as a stimulant and to increase menstrual flow.

What is more expensive gold frankincense or myrrh?

Solid frankincense resin can be sold at up to £37.33 per kilo, according to the International Centre for Research in Dry Areas. Myrrh is roughly twice as expensive, but prices are volatile – something that can also be said for the Wise Men's third gift.

Can I grow a frankincense tree?

Frankincense trees are endangered due to population expansion and climate change. If you want to grow frankincense, you are better off purchasing a plant. The seeds are notoriously difficult to germinate. The germination rate of seeds purchased here in the US is 10% or less.

Where do frankincense trees grow?

Most frankincense comes from about five species of Boswellia trees, found in North Africa and India, but also in Oman, Yemen, and western Africa. The trees look gnarled and knotty, like a desert bonsai.

What smells better frankincense or myrrh?

Frankincense is often mentioned together with it's cousin myrrh, another aromatic and earthy scent derived from the resin of the Commiphora tree which also has a long history in religion and spirituality. When comparing the two scents, frankincense is considered sweeter and warmer while myrrh is more earthy and bitter.

What does myrrh symbolize?

The first, referred to in the carol 'We Three Kings', interprets the gifts as symbolising three aspects of Christ's future life: gold representing kingship, frankincense (worship) and myrrh (death and mourning).

Can you burn frankincense and myrrh together?

6, drop some real frankincense and myrrh on a burning coal, wood stove or hot skillet and you bring the world of the ancients kings alive by the magic of fragrance. Triple Oaks sells real frankincense and myrrh tears and the charcoal disc on which to burn the resin. When we mix the two together we call it Holy Smoke!

Why do people drink frankincense and myrrh?

They are mainly used to treat blood stasis, inflammation, swelling, and pain [7]. Prescription drugs containing frankincense and myrrh in combination have definite curative effects on many chronic diseases, and have been clinically proven.

What happens if you smoke myrrh?

One recent study found that burning myrrh and frankincense incense reduced airborne bacterial counts by 68% ( 6 ). Preliminary animal research suggests that myrrh can directly kill bacteria, as well as stimulate the immune system to make more white blood cells, which also kill bacteria ( 7 ).

Can myrrh cure syphilis?

Myrrh has been used in a variety of infectious diseases, including leprosy and syphilis, and to treat cancers. The Chinese have used myrrh in the management of a variety of skin and mouth infections.

What does myrrh taste like?

Myrrh is an Arabic word meaning bitter. The highly valued aromatic gum resin of myrrh has a bitter, pungent taste and a sweet, pleasing aroma. A particularly treasured variety of myrrh is known as karam or Turkish myrrh.

What was myrrh worth in Jesus time?

The gifts, which the three men carried, were fit for a King. Equivalent to today's prices, a pound of frankincense was worth $500 a pound, and a pound of myrrh was $4,000.

What was myrrh used for in Jesus time?

In the Bible, myrrh was used as an anointing or embalming oil, and frankincense was used as perfume or incense. Myrrh was used for its health benefits and fragrance. The Magi's gifts - gold, frankincense, and myrrh had spiritual symbolism (kingship, worship, and death).