We three Kings of Orient are bearing gifts we've carried so far: frankincense and myrrh. Gifts fit for the greatest of kings. These were so important, wealthy and powerful men brought these herbals as the ultimate gift, the story is told.

Christmas is an amazing holiday period.

Myrrh (commiphora myrrha) is an amazing herbal resin. The gum exudate squeezes up from injuries in the bark of the myrrh tree which is typically found in the middle east and Africa. Very little is produced from a very small number of trees in a geographically restricted area. In days of old, the healers and priests would use myrrh as a medicine for the most wealthy or powerful citizens.

The old ones classified myrrh as an antiseptic, emmenagogue, carminitive, expectorant and stimulant. Modern science knows it is made up of acetic acid, beta sitosterol, cinnamaldehyde, cuminaldehyde, eugenol, limonene, m-cresol and xylose, plus many more.

It has been studied by the German medical community and approved by the German Commission E for use in treatment of mouth, gum and pharynx inflammation. The unstudied uses in folk medicine included topical treatment of infections; internally for intestinal infections; endometriosis; Athlete's foot; as a way to increase white blood cells; and as an expectorant for coughs.

Myrrh is also thought to stimulate the appetite and flow of digestive juices. Curiously, the Chinese use it for all of the above and for abdominal tumors, according to the PDR of Herbal Medicines. The only contraindication is for pregnancy and it has no known precautions or adverse reactions within proper dosage.

The gift of good health and the hope to have it are wondrous and mighty. Just healthy hope alone can change and has changed the outcome of many a serious ailment. Hope, faith and trust, I wish it to you all during this holiday time.