Benefits and History of Frankincense & Myrrh Essential Oils
SEEPing in God’s Presence with Frankincense & Myrrh
Did you know that the precious gifts of Frankincense and Myrrh that the Wise Men gave to baby Jesus came from a tree? (Matthew 2:11) Yes, they are actually a gum resin that oozes from the tree after it has been cut. Just as the resin heals the bark of the tree, Jesus, the Author of Creation designed it to be healing for us.
What are the Scriptural applications of Frankincense and Myrrh and how can I incorporate these oils into my life for Spiritual, Emotional, Environmental and Physical health?
SPIRITUAL BENEFITS
Scriptural Application –
- INTERCESSION – The Lord directed Moses to include Frankincense for the Altar of Incense for the tabernacle as a symbol of the prayers rising up to God. (Exodus 30:34-36)
- ANOINTING – The Lord gave instructions to Moses for an oil blend to anoint the priests. This anointing oil included myrrh.
- FORGIVENESS – Use as a part of the Day of Atonement in Leviticus 16:12-13 (referred to as incense, which included frankincense). This is known today as Yom Kippur, a day of prayer, repentance and forgiveness of sins.
Contemporary Applications
- DEVOTIONS/FORGIVENESS – Inhale during prayer time to deepen personal prayer and intercession. These oils may be especially helpful for working through the process of forgiveness.
- PRAYER – anoint someone who is in need of healing prayer. You may also anoint yourself as a part of putting on the spiritual armor to get spiritually ready for the day as in Ephesians 6:10-18(see How to Use Essential Oils, Topical Use).
- RESTFUL SLEEP – apply (in carrier oil blend) on your neck, wrist, and/or palm of your feet before going to bed to foster a good night sleep. (Cooksley, 1996)
- HOME – Anoint your home as part of a house blessing.
- BEDROOM – Add to a diffuser to promote a spirit filled atmosphere…a tangible reminder of God’s presence.
EMOTIONAL BENEFITS
Scriptural Application
- LOVE – Songs of Solomon referred to myrrh as a symbol of love and romance 8 times.
- BEAUTY – Esther used myrrh as a part of her beauty treatments to prepare for her meeting the King. (Esther 2:12)
Contemporary Applications
- CALMING and GROUNDING – Science has shown that the molecules of all essential oils go directly to the limbic system (emotional seat) of the brain. Frankincense and myrrh have a calming, grounding impact. (Price and Price, 2012).
- BEAUTY – Frankincense and myrrh are both nurturing for the skin. When you LOOK BETTER, you FEEL BETTER emotionally. (Price and Price, 2012)
ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS
Scriptural Application
- EMBALMING – myrrh was used in the embalming process (John 19:39-40)
Contemporary Applications
- ROOM SPRAY – Anti-bacterial properties are in both myrrh and frankincense to promote a healthy environment.
- DIFFUSING – placing a couple of drops in a diffuser can also combat any bacteria in the air, thus helping to prevent ailments.
PHYSICAL BENEFITS
Scriptural Application
- BEAUTY/SKIN CARE – Esther used beauty myrrh as a part of her beauty treatments to prepare for her meeting the King. (Esther 2:12)
Contemporary Applications
- OVERALL PHYSICAL HEALTH – Through their fragrance and unique molecular structure, essential oils can directly stimulate the limbic lobe (the emotional seat of the brain) and the hypothalamus through inhalation and topical use. Anxiety, depression, fear, anger and joy all stem from the limbic lobe of the brain, which then activates the hypothalamus. The hypothalumus controls growth hormones, sex hormones, thyroid hormones, and neurotransmitters such as serotonin. Thus, essential oils can be helpful in reducing stress, emotional trauma, energy levels, sex drive, and the growth/aging process. (Price and Price, 2012).
- BEAUTY/SKIN CARE –
- Add to facial serums.
- Healing for skin issues
- Dry, aging skin – since the skin is the largest organ of the body, you can also nurture your whole body. (Cooksley, 1996)
REFERENCES
Price, L., Price, S. (2012). Aromatherapy for Health Professionals. London: Elsevier.
Cooksley, Valerie (1996). Aromatherapy: A Lifetime of Healing with Essential Oils. Paramus, NJ: Prentice Hall.
HOW TO USE ESSENTIAL OILS
1. Inhalation – Inhale from the bottle … this may deepen your prayer time.
- Before bedtime – For a more restful sleep, put a drop on your pillow or put a drop on a tissue and place it near your nose. (Using a tissue avoids staining the pillow.)
2. Topical Use – 5-6 drops per oz of olive oil, grapeseed oil, jojoba or other massage oil for children under age 5 or elderly; 10-15 drops for ages 5 and above. Use a dark bottle to prevent light exposure.
3. Room Freshener – add a few drops to a diffuser i.e. Shekinah Lights/Lamps or approximately 10 drops/oz of water in a spray bottle (adjust the number of drops according to your preference).
4. Facial serum – add 5-6 total drops of Frankincense/Myrrh to 1 oz of jojoba oil, grapeseed oil, or carrot seed oil.
Recommended Resources about Essential Oils and its Uses:
- The Aromahead Institute
- The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, by Salvatore Battaglia, 2nd Edition (2004)
- Aromatherapy: A Holistic Guide to Natural Healing with Essential Oils, by Valerie Cooksley (2015)
- Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, by Shirley and Len Price (2012)
- Essential Oil Safety, by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, 2nd Edition (2014)