The historical patterns of herbal use, their medicinal applications, and their impact on society can be fascinating and informative. Frankincense and myrrh are part of the Christmas tradition, but they have historical roots that stretch back to ancient times long before they became gifts for baby Jesus. along with gold, they were considered gifts fit for kings in the ancient world. In addition to their symbolic and religious meaning, frankincense and myrrh were valued for their medicinal properties. there is evidence that frankincense and myrrh were used and traded over 5,000 years ago. Babylonians and Assyrians may have burned them as incense during religious ceremonies. the ancient Egyptians used them in incense, perfumes, and wound salves. In part, due to its antiseptic properties, myrrh was an ingredient used to embalm the bodies of the pharaohs. The ancient Romans and Greeks used frankincense and myrrh in religious ceremonies and recognized a wide range of medicinal effects. Traditional Chinese medicine has used these resins to improve blood circulation, treat injuries and traumatic masses, arthritis and other health problems.
Frankincense and myrrh are resins collected from trees. the trees that provide frankincense and myrrh are related and grouped into the same plant family classification. They are found growing in the harsh environment of Somalia and the Arabian Peninsula. the resin is collected when it oozes from cuts in the tree’s bark. The resin can be used in multiple ways, including burning as incense, inclusion in herbal formulas, or extraction as an essential oil.
While the history and symbolism of frankincense and myrrh are interesting, their medicinal benefits are being explored. A fascinating study found that frankincense has antidepressant and anti-anxiety effects in mice, giving rise to speculation that there may be more than symbolism attached to the use of incense in religious ceremonies. in other studies, frankincense has shown clear benefits in managing osteoarthritis pain and may be more effective than the use of an NSAID for some patients. Myrrh has also been shown to reduce pain. frankincense and myrrh have benefits for inflammatory problems like irritable bowel disease and asthma. In addition, they have anticancer effects and help wound healing.
Herbs have been an increasingly important part of health care over the past decade (see “Properly Selected Herbs Provide Effective Therapies,” Apr 28, 2017). For example, it is now estimated that 91 percent of human cancer patients worldwide use some form of complementary and alternative medicine with an emphasis on herbs and nutritional supplements. The use of herbs and nutritional supplements has also played an important role in the health care of pets. frankincense has received attention for its medicinal effects on dogs and cats. Less attention has been paid to myrrh, although it clearly has potential for a wide variety of conditions.
The use of incense for dogs and cats has focused on the essential oil and resin of boswellia herbal products. benefits were found in reducing pain, stiffness, and lameness in dogs with osteoarthritis. Clinical observations support the use of boswellia for inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract. these observations are consistent with the results of human clinical studies. Myrrh has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects, pain-modulating benefits, antibacterial properties, and anti-cancer attributes. some advocate the use of frankincense and myrrh along with the idea that there is a synergistic effect. this has not been evaluated in the dog and cat. While frankincense and myrrh essential oils are considered safe in cats (see “Essential Oils May Be Toxic to Cats,” Mar 26, 2016), caution should always be exercised.
The holiday season reminds us of the rich history of the use of frankincense and myrrh in ceremonies and for their health benefits. the growing use in dogs and cats highlights its medicinal properties. if in doubt about the use of these herbs, contact a veterinary herbalist.
Enjoy the holiday season with your furry companions.
ron carsten, dvm, phd, cva, ccrt was one of the first veterinarians in colorado to use the integrative approach, has lectured extensively to veterinarians, and has pioneered the therapeutic use of concentrated feeds to manage clinical problems. In addition to his Ph.D. in veterinary medicine, he has a Ph.D. in cell and molecular biology and is a certified veterinary acupuncturist and a certified canine rehabilitation therapist. He practices integrative veterinary medicine in Glenwood Springs.
