2006-12-10 11:49:54 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
Myrrh is a red-brown resinous material, the dried sap of the tree Commiphora myrrha, native to Somalia and the eastern parts of Ethiopia. The sap of a number of other Commiphora and Balsamodendron species are also known as myrrh, including that from Commiphora erythraea (sometimes called East Indian myrrh), Commiphora opobalsamum and Balsamodendron kua. Its name is derived from the Hebrew murr or maror, meaning "bitter".
Myrrh is currently used in some liniments, healing salves that may be applied to abrasions and other minor skin ailments. It is also used in the production of Fernet Branca.
Myrrh is a constituent of perfumes and incense, was highly prized in ancient times, and was often worth more than its weight in gold. In ancient Rome myrrh was priced at 5 times as much as frankincense, though the latter was far more popular. Myrrh was burned in ancient Roman funerals to mask the smell emanating from charring corpses. It was said that the Roman Emperor Nero burned a year's worth of myrrh at the funeral of his wife, Poppaea.
Myrrh was one of the gifts of the Magi to the baby Jesus in the story told in the Bible (Gospel of Matthew). Myrrh was used as an embalming ointment and was used, up until about the 15th century, as a penitential incense in funerals and cremations. It is alluded to in the Christmas carol We Three Kings. The scent can also be used in mixtures of incense, to provide an earthy element to the overall smell, and as an additive to wine, a practice alluded to by ancient authorities such as Fabius Dorsennus. It is also used in various perfumes, toothpastes, lotions, and other modern toiletries.
2006-12-10 11:57:07 · answer #1 · answered by Hatir Ba Loon 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Myrrh is a spice common in the middle east. It was often used as a burial spice because of it's strong and pleasant aroma.
2006-12-10 12:00:22 · answer #2 · answered by Bobby Jim 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
It was an ancient idyllic utopia on par with Atlantis championed by the Theosophist society, I personally don't think it existed.Oh, maybe you're talking about myrrh, I thought you meant LeMURia.
2006-12-10 11:54:24 · answer #3 · answered by enslavementality 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
1
2017-02-09 17:45:22 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
myrrh is a sweet smelling resin.
2006-12-10 11:54:00 · answer #5 · answered by STFU Dude 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You mean myrrh? ANTI-SEMITISM!
2006-12-10 11:53:26 · answer #6 · answered by burbank 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋