A reflection on the fragrance of preparation, purity, and spiritual renewal.

What is oil of myrrh?

Myrrh oil is an essential oil that is obtained from the resin of the commiphora myrrha tree. This tree is a small tree, growing about five metres tall and it is native to the Middle East and Africa. Myrrh oil is orange, amber to brown in colour. It can be described as both bitter and sweet, possessing a warm, spicy, earthy and woody aroma.

What are some of the benefits of oil of myrrh?

Protection against harmful bacteria and fungus. Myrrh oil can be used to kill bacteria and other microbes and has historically been used in Ancient Egyptian societies to embalm mummies, as it provides a nice scent and slows the decaying process.

Healing skin wounds and infections. It is believed that myrrh oil is effective at killing microbes that infect skin wounds. Scientists have found that using myrrh oil helps to increase white cell blood counts, which helps to speed up the healing of wounds and irritations.

Reducing or preventing pain and swelling. Myrrh oil does not just work to dull or reduce the source of pain, but it actually interacts with opioid receptors, essentially telling your brain that you’re not in pain and there is no pain to respond to. Myrrh also stops the production of inflammatory chemicals that typically leads to pain and swelling.

Oil of myrrh in skincare

Myrrh oil has antioxidants which help protect the skin from damage that causes aging. It help with reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. It is useful in healing and soothing chapped, cracked, and dry skin and can even help with sun burned skin. Myrrh oil is beneficial in increasing skin tone elasticity thus maintaining a youthful glow and dewy complexion.

It’s important to note that myrrh oil is potent and should never be used undiluted and applied to the skin directly. It has to be combined with a carrier oil or integrated into existing skincare products by adding a few drops of myrrh oil into your normal facial moisturiser.

What is perfume and the history behind perfume?

Perfume is a mixture of fragrant essential oils, natural scents, fixatives and solvents. Perfumes provide a pleasant aroma for people, living spaces, furniture, etc. The first recorded use of perfume dates back to ancient times when incense was burned and the people would enjoy the pleasant aromas that were produced. Over time, the interest and fascination in the specific ingredients that caused the much loved aromas grew. This resulted in the inventions of fermented liquors, fumigations, balms and even oils. A connection between fragrance, beauty and power was then developed.

Finding your scent

It is believed that the fragrance industry has shifted towards more expressive, identity-driven scents influenced by societal shifts like the pandemic and cost-of-living pressures. People are less concerned in following trends and are more interested in showcasing their individuality and authenticity. It can be argued that people wanted to express themselves more and their fragrance is one way to do this.

Practically speaking, the best way to find your ‘signature scent’ is to simply try out different perfumes and fragrances. Explore and research different fragrance families, physically go into different stores and try out different fragrances on your skin. It is advised to keep this fragrance on your skin for an extended period of time, such as a day or a few hours to see how it evolves and wears over the day.

Biblical beauty treatments

The bible emphasises the importance of looking after your bodies and health as it is the temple of God.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NKJV) “Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.”

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This means that investing in beauty and healthcare is essential for a Christian. The bible is extremely necessary for the Christian walk and provides direction and instruction amongst other things. It could be said that the bible could also provide beauty treatments and healthcare tips if one were to read and research into these topics.

Oil of myrrh and perfumes were mentioned in the book of Esther when describing the beauty treatments that Queen Esther undertook. As it can be seen, these are products that can still be and are still being used today.

Esther 2:12 (NKJV) “Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women.”

Read the bible, be informed on what was used in the bible for healthcare and beauty, and investigate how this can be incorporated in your daily beauty routines.