Medicinal Value of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh

No wonder these were such great gifts!

I just wrote an article about the Christmas carol We Three Kings in which I talk about its symbolism and religious significance. That was an article focused on faith. This article, however, is focused on the medicinal aspects of these three substances. They have been used since ancient times to treat various illnesses, and now science is showing that not all of these claims are hype.

Here is my other article, which addresses faith:

As I explained in the article above, the gifts the Magi brought symbolized various aspects of Christ. Gold was given because Christ was King. Frankincense was used to worship in the Temple and symbolized His divinity. And Myrrh was used to anoint the dead and was associated with both His sacrifice and prophesy.

However, long before Christ, the ancient Indians, Chinese, and other groups used these substances in traditional medicines.

Now, let’s be clear — just because something is used in traditional remedies does not mean it’s effective or beneficial. Sometimes these “cures” were actually poison, such as mercury (used to treat syphilis), lead (used to treat skin problems), and antimony (used to treat poisoning).

Don’t try a traditional treatment based on what some ancient philosopher or herbal manuscript says. However, if verifiable evidence suggests its use is backed by science, it may be worth doing more research.

So, what are some actual facts about the Gifts of the Magi?

Gold

As early as 2500 BC, gold was used therapeutically in India, China, and Arabia. Called swarna bhasma in Indian Ayurvedic medicine, it was given orally to treat asthma, arthritis, diabetes, and nervous disorders. Typically it was mixed with ghee or milk.

In ancient China, it was called jinzi and was used to treat skin problems and as a surgical aid.

Frankincense

Frankincense is a dried resin. It was used to treat swelling and to reduce pain due to inflammation and tumors in India and China. It was also used to improve blood circulation in China and to treat arthritis in India.

In modern times, animal studies and initial clinical trails indicate that its active component, boswellia serrata gum resin extract, can be used for IBS, arthritis, and asthma. In 2002, it was classified as a treatment for brain edema.

Myrrh

An aromatic gum resin, myrrh was used to treat pain and inflammatory diseases as well as skin infections, chest ailments, and other ailments in ancient India, China, Rome, and Greece.

It has been used to clean wounds and as analgesic for over 2000 years.

Currently, it has been shown to be effective as an anti-inflammatory. It may also have antimicrobial properties.

Frankincense and Myrrh

In China, Frankincense and Myrrh are often used together in order to obtain a synergistic effect for relieving pain and activating blood circulation and specifically to treat inflammatory diseases.

As can be seen, while in the West, gold, frankincense, and myrrh had symbolic, religious, and cultural meaning, in traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine they were used for treatment of chronic diseases. (Gold was also used worldwide as a medium of exchange).

Interestingly, super-thin gold sheets are often used with traditional Indian desserts and so are ingested there. This doesn’t have any medicinal value but it’s also harmless in the small doses eaten this way.

Frankincense and myrrh are also used today by those who like essential oils. Diluted with a carrier oil, they can be used in skin products or diffusers. While myrrh does not smell particularly pleasant to most people, frankincense is often used in incense as it’s got a complex fragrance that combines sweet and citrusy elements with more earthy and woody undertones. It is still used during traditional Roman Catholic Mass.

For the curious, you can add a few drops of frankincense and myrrh essential oils to a diffuser and see it it helps any inflammatory conditions. Even if it doesn’t, the pleasant scent might prove relaxing. If you decide to try this, I’d use more of the frankincense than the myrrh!

Advent inspired me to write this article. I hope you enjoyed it and that your holidays are filled with peace, joy, and love.

I am fighting stage IV cancer. If you would like to help with medical bills, I would really appreciate it. Or if you enjoy my writing and would like to buy me a cup of coffee, that’s great too. Maybe someday I can return the favor.