Myrrh
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From the family of Commiphora, but with many
appearances, Myrrh claims a prominent place among the aromatics. The Arabic myr
means bitter; because it has an antiseptic working Myrrh is also chewed and
do we speak often of bitter Myrrh, as opposed to sweet Myrrh(Jahwee) There
are many other medicinal applications which make the gum throughout history
much wanted. Dissolving bitter Myrrh into alcohol makes it a powerful
tincture and anointment oil. In ancient times Myrrh was already known, for
example for embalming the dead, but also to burn upon the holy altars. In the
biblical song of Solomon and in the evangely of John Myrrh is praised. The
three wise men come with the gift of Myrrh for the divine child. Because of
Myrrhs connection with illness, scholars see this gift of Myrrh as a referral
to the sacrifice to mankind Jezus has to bring in the end. |
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The Roman writer Ovidius comes with the story
of the girl Myrrha who accidentally falls in love with her father. They sleep
with together, both not knowing who they really are. When the girl finds out
what she had done she flees into the desert and asks the Gods to kill her. As
a deed of mercy, they change her into a Myrrh shrub instead, weeping bitter
tears. (again explaining the connection of the resin with pain but also with
redemption) After nine months she nevertheless gives birth to a child which
is called Adonis, who will become Venus' messenger of love. The story
parallels the Greek mythical story of Amor and Psyche. When combusted the gum has a nutty and heavy
scent, but overwhelmingly mystical. When you encounter it in little lumps the
origin is usually unknown and the quality a little less the the above
quality, which comes from Yemen. |
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Here you see the so called sweet Myrrh, also
known as Jahwee, after the Hebrew name for God, but later confused with the
Indonesian island Java, which as far as I know does not produce sweet Myrrh.
The substance looks grey en comes from Syria and Iran. It is dryer then
bitter Myrrh and can be crumbled easily. |
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So now and the you will encounter painted
resins and gums in the shops. It can be in all colours and under exotic
esoterical names, but in many cases it is bitter Myrrh. Probably you will
have to be impressed by such a presentation, and tempted to pay accordingly.
My advice is to avoid these products and to buy the real thing. Sometimes
Myrrh is sold unde the name Oppoponax. |
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