GOLD, FRANKINCENSE & MYRRH
Christmas Essential Oils
We all know the story of the 3 wise men who travelled far and brought the gifts of Gold Frankincense & Myrrh to the baby Jesus. Gold represented his ‘Kingdom’, Frankincense depicted that he was a ‘Spiritual Leader’ and Myrrh signified his ‘death’ ( Not so pleasing for a new born!) These gifts were however considered fit for a King!
But how does that relate to Aromatherapy I hear you cry? Well a lot actually.
Let me explain…..
Frankincense, Boswellia carterii, a resin obtained from the Frankincense tree. A wonderfully aromatic oil, that is used traditionally in skin care and to raise the spirits. It has associations with meditation and religion and is used in Incense the world over. It’s obtained by cutting the bark of the tree and collecting the resin which is then distilled to produce the essential oil. This resin is a natural healer for the wood if cut or damaged, so little wonder that it’s so powerful for our skin and is being used throughout the beauty industry at the moment as an anti ageing ingredient. It has been collected in this way for centuries and was a highly prized substance. Even today it is an expensive essential oil and has the ability when used to calm the breath, focus our intentions and maybe connect us to our ‘spiritual self’.
Myrrh , Myrtus communis, a warm and rich, slightly bitter sweet essential oil. Presented to Jesus to represent his death, nice! Myrrh like Frankincense has been used for millennium and is associated with The Sun god in ancient Egypt. It was used for mummification and burnt during funerals. Like Frankincense it comes from a tree, the bark is cut and the ‘tears’ of resin are collected and distilled to produce the essential oil. Also like Frankincense it offers you stillness and tranquillity, it helps ease grief and encourages acceptance.
There is no Essential oil for Gold but I have chosen instead Jasmine, Jasminum officianale, a heady aromatic’ golden coloured’ oil that like gold is very expensive. So Gold was the Kingdom and in Jasmine we have a truly magnificent oil. Exquisitely aromatic it is redolent of warmth, sunshine, and golden light. Traditionally used for its ability to restore passion and uplift the senses. The flowers are harvested at night when the scent is at its strongest, the classic distillation process actually destroys the flowers so it’s distilled by solvent extraction resulting in an Absolute.
So we can still offer Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh at Christmas. You could combine the three in a atomiser or essential oil burner and fill your home with aromas that will bring stillness, tranquillity and sweetness to all who visit. Definitely feelings I will be trying to achieve this Christmas!