- Myrrh [1 oz] -
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Myrrh: The Female Quality of Incense Although the myrrh genus is diverse, the common myrrh tree grows in similar conditions and has a similar stunted, gnarly appearance as frankincense. Legendarily, in Egypt the falcon god Horus created myrrh, and people who partook of this fragrance were promised to escape death and “become part of the eternal life of the gods.” Myrrh never became as popular as frankincense in the Roman Empire, but it did become much more expensive, and therefore it was used as a status symbol. Myrrh was seen even as a luxury for the dead, as it was burned during cremations. The sacred Jewish anointing oils specified in the Old Testament contained myrrh as the main ingredient. Hebrew women were also prescribed specific cleansing rituals that involved the use of fragrant substances, including myrrh. In Ayurveda, common myrrh is able to increase Pitta (a type of dosha or energy in the body that is fiery in nature). It is also thought to be soothing for stomach tension, nerves, and for rheumatism, and to be able to strengthen the uterus, and ease sciatica, and for treatment of psoriasis. |