Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh – Gifts From the Magi or Three Smart Women in Disguise?

Discussions and debates have continued for centuries by theologians, evangelists, archaeologists and various historical experts on why these three gifts were presented to Jesus.

The gold is obvious, but why the frankincense and myrrh?  Because I work with these precious raw materials and teach courses on essential oils, I am asked quite often with increased interest during holiday season.  So, here are some of my thoughts on the topic. Just to be clear, an essential oil obtained from these precious resins would not have been presented as distillation was not used to obtain vital elements from plants during this time in history.    Nevertheless, frankincense and myrrh as pure resins were very useful as they could be ground into powders, melted into ointments, salves, pomades or used to make incense sticks for ceremonial burning, purification and inhalation.

These two plant-based substances have fascinated humanity, holding an honoured place in history, transcending various creeds, cultures and faiths.   Physical, emotional and spiritual benefits were reported on these resins long before the arrival of Jesus. Many religious, spiritual and medicinal compilations such as the bible, dead sea scrolls and Vedic texts make mention or refer to their healing powers.  The Egyptian Book of the Dead refers to the oozing resin from the trees as “sweat of the Gods”. Apparently, God ordered Moses to bring significant amounts of both resins out of Egypt during the exodus to provide healing salves made with them for everyone to carry.  Talk about a glowing celebrity endorsement!

Galen, one of the most famous of all ancient Greek doctors, further popularized the use of myrrh with his successful treatments of Gladiators for their wounds.  In fact, all warriors carried a pouch of myrrh paste into battle with them to stop bleeding if a potentially catastrophic wound were to occur.  I have experienced this use of myrrh personally and can attest to its incredible ability to coagulate blood and seal a wound.

Relaxation, easing pain, anti-ageing, wound care and cancer treatment have been explored and treated with these mysterious resins that drip from trees native to India, China, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean regions.  Traces have even been found in mummified bodies unearthed from thousands of years ago. Many churches and organizations still incorporate the use for religious and spiritual ceremony to this day.

Now, with the aid of advanced technology, detailed chemical analysis is available. An impressive list of naturally occurring chemicals such as Lindestrene, elemene, bourolene, ocimene, p-cymene and sabinene which reads like a pharmaceutical candy store have been identified. Boswellic acid found in the resin of frankincense, not the distilled oil has the spotlight recently as a potential cancer treatment.

While both resins and their oil derivatives are great for many issues, I believe that the frankincense was gifted for matters of religious & spiritual ceremony, perfumery and general skincare, even to aid better sleep while myrrh would have been more practical for wound care and pain.  The gold? Well, it may have been necessary to purchase ample supply of these precious resins.

Now to explain the title of this piece. I am not qualified to determine whether this story is true.  I wasn’t there; however, I do have difficulty believing that three guys would have thought of and then obtained  such complex practical offerings to be presented to their saviour and then, dressed up in their finest ceremonial robes with matching socks and sandals, trekked across the desert without asking for directions, getting lost, or somehow attracted to shiny stuff on the ground instead of the sky. 

All the while, managing to be on time for that perfect moment in history. I could more easily believe that women were involved somehow by either choosing the gifts and packing them in their suitcases with a detailed map. Or is it possible that they simply stole the robes and set out, leaving the men sitting at home in naked embarrassment to make sure the mission was completed.

Otherwise, one of the most famous historical events in history left entirely to three “wise men” may have resulted in the pontificating drone of experts for the last 2000 years debating why Jesus was presented gifts that had big wheels, shot fire or made obnoxious loud noises.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Joyous Kwanzaa, Feliz Navidad, Happy Holidays!

Sandy Powell

Copyright 2005-2025

Disclaimer

This article is not meant to be a replacement for medical advice. With all the hype surrounding these two oils in recent years and the annual spike of interest triggered by the holiday season, you should not be attempting to treat serious medical conditions with any substance unless medically qualified.