Frankincense And Myrrh — The Healing Benefits Of A Few Favorite Resins
The words frankincense and myrrh summon the story of Christ’s birth for many. The use of these resins has a long, rich history in the Middle east. Some may say that the gifts were given for spiritual reasons or wealth. I prefer to believe that they were given for a very pragmatic reason, a women-focused reason.
In my way of thinking, frankincense and myrrh were gifted to Mary to relieve pain and aid recovery from childbirth. Here’s my reasoning.
Resins relieve pain and move Blood.
Frankincense, myrrh, pine (includes pine, fir, and spruce), dragon’s blood (no dragons were slayed, it comes from a tree), amber, copal, and Palo Santo, are a few examples of resins that have a long history in herbal and spiritual practices.
Resins are the thick, sticky substance that oozes out of particular trees and shrubs. While they each have their own uses, and characteristics we can talk about them in a broad category. They all —
They vitalize Qi and Blood
Most are warming or neutral in temperature
They help heal wounds and fight infections
They treat inflammation patterns in anything from arthritis to asthma and cerebral edema
Yeah… you may want resins in your life. I’m partial to pine. It is local, organic and sustainable. I have three beautiful trees right out the front door, so I don’t need to go far, it doesn’t have as strong of Blood moving and pain relieving qualities as frankincense and myrrh, though.
Frankincense and myrrh in particular have a long history in women’s healthcare and midwifery.
In Western herbal terminology frankincense and myrrh are emmenagogues, which mean they are approached and used a little differently by a Western herbalist than someone with Chinese herbal knowledge. Michael Tierra sums explains this perfectly —
“In this category the traditional Chinese indicated use and application is much broader than that of Western herbalism. The term ‘emmenagogue’ tends to restrict the use of these herbs to women and the use to the regulation of menstruation, whereas the Chinese concept of moving blood indicates their therapeutic value for men and women of all ages. For these herbs can treat injuries, heart disease, pain caused by blood clots, and tumors and cancer, as well as gynecological disorders. Most of these herbs have been shown to have vasodilatory, anti-hypertensive and analgesic properties.”
Michael Tierra, C.A., N.D. — Planetary Herbology
Frankincense
Boswellia, Ru Xiang in Chinese herbology.
Energetics and actions— Warm, bitter and pungent. It enters the Heart, Liver and Spleen. It is antiseptic, antispasmodic, a nervine and an emmenagogue (brings on the period). Vitalizes and moves Qi and Blood.
It is used to relieve menstrual pains, promote menses, treat rheumatic conditions, and to treat bruises and injuries.
Myrrh
Commiphora myrrha, Mo Yao in Chinese
Energetics and actions — Neutral temperature, bitter and spicy. It enters the Heart, Liver and Spleen.
It is used similarly to frankincense, however, myrrh has a stronger action of moving Blood and purges static blood from the uterus. It is widely used in patterns such as endometriosis, uterine ulcers, ammenorhea, and perimenopause and menopause where there are patterns of erratic bleeding. Myrrh is a strong disinfectant and is used in wounds, ulcers, and gum disease. And it shines with chronic pain for arthritis and old injuries. I used to treat carpal tunnel type pattern that showed up when I started using my hands intensely as a bodyworker, typing, and I was doing wrist lock martial arts — ouch. A few months of treatment and it’s all good now.
How to use frankincense and myrrh —
Topically — Essential oils can be blended yourself or are readily available at in pain relieving formulas at your local co-op or apothecary. I have a frankincense and myrrh combination that I use for neuropathy, nerve pain and aches and clients love it.
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Find them in formulas — You will likely need help here assessing which formula you need to use. Formulas for gynecological patterns are going to be different than those that would be used for arthritis or injury patterns. Unless you have herbal training, seek guidance here to find the right formula to treat your particular pathology.
Contraindications — pregnancy.
Cheers!
