What is myrrh?
By Chelsie Vandaveer
July 23, 2001
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Suggested Reading—>Click here.
Assorted Killer Savings Garden Links—>Click here.
Killer Picks: Wollemi Pine, greatest living fossils discovered in the 20th century—>Click here.
The Gift of Kings, Kashmir Paisley Matelasse Cover—>Click here.
Hand-powered Emergency Radio, SkyScout Personal Planetarium—>Click here.
Myrrh trees (Commiphora myrrha, C. erythraea and others) [com mif' er a mur' a; e rith' ra ee] grow on arid, rocky hills of the deserts of Arabia, Ethiopia, and Somalia. These are trees that survive in a scrub wilderness. Myrrh trees produce a fragrant, yellow to brown resin. The resin seeps from where the bark has split and hardens into globules called 'tears'. For thousands of years, these tears have been collected and placed over coals to produce a fragrant smoke.
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Experience the beautiful aroma of frankincense and myrrh the legendary gifts of the Magi.
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Myrrh was a sacred and valued commodity of the ancient world. It was used to anoint the heads of kings, embalm the dead, and perfume fabrics for holy places. Medicinally, myrrh was used as an analgesic, an antiseptic, and an astringent. It was a component in perfumes and cosmetics. And the smoke from myrrh is said to carry prayers to heaven. Myrrh was one of the most valued of all gifts.
Hatshepsut, the first woman to rule Egypt, imported myrrh trees to be planted on the Dayr al-Bahri temple grounds. The Children of Israel planted groves of myrrh for their holy oil and incense. In ancient Yemen, great city-states grew based on the wealth from the trade of myrrh to Greece and Rome. Even today, sacred myrrh is said to weep from the holiest icons of the Russian Orthodox Church.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew has photographs and information on myrrh trees and other Christmas related plants. To view photographs of the unusual myrrh trees, click on the link:
http://www.rbgkew.org.uk/plantfacts/christmastrad/myrrh.html
Series: | 1 | | 2 | | 3 | | 4 |
killerPlants Tendrils: ~~1~~2~~3~~4~~5~~
Suggested Reading:
Frankincense and the Lost City of Ubar Herbal Folklore - December 24, 2001
Why did Alexander take the island of bliss? Plants that Changed History - November 4, 2003
Have pomegranate, will travel Plants that Changed History - June 4, 2002
How was this Biblical plant used? Herbal Folklore - May 13, 2002
What is saffron? What's in a Name? - January 4, 2002
Why was a legendary bird named for a palm? What's in a Name? - December 26, 2003
Killer Savings Links: Breck's Bulbs -$25 off—>Click here.
Gurney's Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Henry Fields Seed and Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Spring Hill Nursery -$20 off—>Click here.
Gardens Alive! -$20 off—>Click here.
Michigan Bulb -$20 off—>Click here.
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The Gift of Kings
National Geographic®
The gifts of the Magi to the infant Jesus bear a special significance during this season. Many people have heard of frankincense and myrrh, but few have ever seen them or experienced their beautiful aroma. Fragrant resins harvested from trees indigenous to the coastal plains of southern Arabia, frankincense and myrrh were used by the ancient Greeks and Romans for medicinal, religious, and cosmetics applications.
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Our exclusive dome-topped wood box with intricate inlay is made in Syria. Inside you'll find a velvet pouch filled with nuggets of white frankincense and reddish myrrh, plus information on their history, legend, and for use. Enjoy some on your evening fire, or use as incense.
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National Geographic®
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Kashmir Paisley Matelasse Cover & Shams
National Geographic®
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Our Jaipur bedding collection will transport you nightly to India's exotic Pink City. Like the collection of rare textiles found in Jaipur's Chandra Mahal, or moon palace museum, the coverlet and pillow shams feature a traditional Indian paisley motif in rich red hues with pumpkin and hints of blue. 60% cotton, 40% polyester. Made in Portugal.
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National Geographic's net proceeds from the sale of the Home Collection go to the Society's World Cultures Fund to support the study and preservation of world cultures.
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National Geographic®
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National Geographic®
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Point the revolutionary SkyScout at the night sky and it can identify celestial objects instantly.
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It also provides astronomical information, historical data, and mythological background on the LED display. Listen to audio narration with the included earphones, and use the USB cable to download updates and new discoveries from your PC directly to the SkyScout. Winner of the Consumer Electronics Show Best of Innovation award for 2006.
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Wollemi Pine
National Geographic®
Exclusively from National Geographic, this survivor from the age of the dinosaurs is one of the greatest living fossils discovered in the 20th century. The Wollemi pine is one of the world's oldest and rarest tree species, belonging to a 200-million-year-old plant family thought to have been extinct for more than two million years.
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Previously known only from fossil records, it was presumed extinct until a single tree was found in the Wollemi National Park, Australia, in 1994. Subsequent research discovered 100 adult trees that have survived in a single canyon in this wild and rugged area.
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National Geographic Magazine
National Geographic®
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You are invited to roam the world in the pages of National Geographic magazine. Explore the diversity of our planet's lands and inhabitants in compelling stories covering topics such as animals, nature, science, technology, culture, history, travel, adventure, exploration, and geography. The monthly National Geographic magazine is your key benefit of membership.
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