ミルラは、没薬とも呼ばれていて、古代のエジプト人が使っていたことが知られています。
防腐剤として使われたり、のみを寄せつけないために使われたりしました。 エジプト人はまた、ミルラなどの入った帽子のようなものを頭にのせ、太陽の熱で溶けたミルラを浴びることで日焼けを軽減させ、虫除けに使っていました。 現代でも、ミルラを良質のキャリアオイルと混ぜると、日焼け止めに効果があると実証されています。 ミルラは、フランキンセンスと黄金とともに幼子イエスキリストに献上されたことで知られています。 ミルラは黄金に次ぐ富の象徴でした。 But the benefits of myrrh continue to astonish us in modern time. It is a powerful antioxidant and like frankincense it is now being considered by modern medicine to treat certain cancers and tumors. Did you know that in 2001 Rutgers University scientists identified myrrh compounds that kill cancer cells? They were optimistic that myrhh can be used for the treatment and prevention of prostate and breast cancer. And to assist with the treatment of brain tumors (malignant). Similar to Frankincense, myrrh contains up to 75% sesquiterpenes compounds that stimulate the part of the brain that controls emotions. It also helps the hypothalamus, pineal and pituitary glands that produce many of the important hormones in the body. The benefits of myrrh include skin care. Since the Egyptians it has been used to maintain healthy skin, prevent skin aging and sooth chapped or cracked skin. Many of the skin care products and animal ointments I use contain myrrh essential oil. Myrrh is also prized for its skin regenerative properties. Today, many add it to their skin care routine by gently smoothing their wrinkles and dry areas with myrrh before proceeding with their chosen skincare protocol. When combined with other essential oils, myrrh prolongs the scent of the other oils, making it a favorite among perfumers. In fact, it was blended with so many perfumes and ointments in Biblical times that in the Gospels the Greek word for myrrh, “muron,” was sometimes translated as “ointment” without revealing that its content included myrrh. Down through history, myrrh has been used by women during pregnancy. It is used to prevent stretch marks. It is often diffused and inhaled during labor to reduce anxiety and facilitate calmness and massaged on perineum to facilitate stretching. It is also customarily used on umbilical cords of newborn to protect the navel from infection. Personally, myrrh is my oil of choice when “doctoring” the wounds that my cat Mama comes home with after defending her territory. Its highly antibacterial properties, combined with the thicker nature of the essential oil make it an excellent option for treating wounds of all sorts. Part of the oil goes on her wounds, the rest she licks off as she grooms herself. The ingested myrrh oil is helps her immune system fight off bacterial or viral contamination, relieves pain, and reduces inflammation. |