Frankincense
We commonly think of Frankincense as one of the gifts the wise men presented to Jesus following His birth mentioned in Matthew 2:11, “And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.” While it is popularly mentioned in the Christmas story, it is also referenced in other parts of the Bible and is believed to promote skin cellular health. It also thought to build a healthy immune system.
Frankincense is also mentioned in Exodus 30:34-36, “Then the Lord said to Moses, 'Take fragrant spices—gum resin, onycha and galbanum—and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred. Grind some of it to powder and place it in front of the Ark of the Covenant law in the tent of meeting, where I will meet with you. It shall be most holy to you.’”
It is a natural healer and was used during biblical time to assist in the healing of almost any disease that people had at the time. It was also used during holy rituals as incense. People use frankincense today to shrink tumors, boost immunity and decrease inflammation.
Myrrh
This is another one of the gifts the wise men presented to baby Jesus. What you may not know is that is one of the most highly valued and desired oils. It is referenced as early as Genesis, “And they sat down to eat a meal. Then they lifted their eyes and looked, and there was a company of Ishmaelites, coming from Gilead with their camels, bearing spices, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry them down to Egypt” (Genesis 37:25). It was part of the daily regimen of people living during biblical times. Myrrh is now used as an antibacterial agent. Some even use it to control diabetes and a number of skin disorders including eczema and chapped skin. There are also people who use it to cure fungal infections like ringworm.
Hyssop
People living during biblical times relied on herbs like hyssop. It was prolific in the Middle East and was used in a variety of ways. During that period, it grew in Egypt , in the desert of Sinai and in Palestine but today, we have access to it outside of the Middle East. It was often used in ceremonial offerings and cleanings. You may remember it being mentioned as one of the ingredients in the sponge used to soak up the sour wine given to Jesus on the cross.
It is referenced in Psalm 51:7, “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” It is also referenced in Exodus 12:22, “Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe. None of you shall go out of the door of your house until morning.” While it is commonly associated with purification in Scripture, in today’s application it is used to open up circulation and stimulate creativity.
Aloes (Sacred Sandalwood)
Aloe is mentioned five times in Scripture. If you’re wondering why the plant is on the list, it’s important to know the biblical context. When aloe is mentioned in Scripture, it is referenced to it’s aromatic extract from a tree’s heartwood, used for healing and embalming. Nicodemus brought a hundred pounds of herbs including aloe to prepare Jesus for His burial (John 19:39). This showed that aloe was a preservative for the dead. It is also referenced in Psalms 45:8, “All thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces, whereby they have made thee glad.” Another reference is in Proverbs 7:17, “I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.” Some consider aloes or aloewood to be the same as sandalwood because they share the ingredient, A. agallocha which has powerful healing oil component. This was used as an incense and cosmetic oil. Aloewood is also recognized for its benefits as a stimulant and cardiac tonic. It also said to have many digestive benefits too.
Cinnamon
You’re probably wondering why cinnamon is on this list but what many people don’t know is that the Bible lists cinnamon as an anointing oil and an attractive sent. Cinnamon is related to a bark called cassia, a fragrant bark that is ground into powder. It is referenced several times in Scripture. One reference is Psalm 45:8 which says, “All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; from palaces adorned with ivory the music of the strings makes you glad.”
It is also referenced in Exodus 30:22-28: Then the Lord said to Moses, “‘Take the following fine spices: 500 shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much (that is, 250 shekels) of fragrant cinnamon, 250 shekels of fragrant calamus, 500 shekels of cassia—all according to the sanctuary shekel—and a hin of olive oil. Make these into a sacred anointing oil, a fragrant blend, the work of a perfumer. It will be the sacred anointing oil. Then use it to anoint the tent of meeting, the ark of the covenant law, the table and all its articles, the lampstand and its accessories, the altar of incense, the altar of burnt offering and all its utensils, and the basin with its stand.’” While it is a common spice and used as a perfume, cinnamon is also used in sacred anointing oil. It can also be an incredible aid for illnesses like stomach ulcers.
Balsam Fir
Fir oils come from fir trees which have come to be the most popular type of Christmas tree. What you may not know is that they are recognized for their highly medicinal properties. Two references in Scripture include Isaiah 60:13,“The glory of Lebanon will come to you, the juniper, the fir and the cypress together, to adorn my sanctuary; and I will glorify the place for my feet.” Another reference is 2 Samuel 6:5, “Then David and all the house of Israel played music before the Lord on all kinds of instruments of fir wood, on harps, on stringed instruments, on tambourines, on sistrums, and on cymbals.” The wood from the fir tree was used during biblical times to make musical instruments but today has even more healing applications. The fir oil can be used as an anticoagulant. It is also used to fight arthritis, throat and sinus infections along with urinary tract infections.
