Myrrh
A reddish aromatic resin from Commiphora trees, used in incense, anointing oil and perfume since antiquity.
Also: Commiphora, bol, mur, heerabol
Myrrh is the dried gum resin of Commiphora species, thorny shrubs of Somalia, Ethiopia, Yemen and Arabia. The tears are reddish brown, bitter and balsamic. Egyptians used it in embalming and incense, the Hebrew holy anointing oil included it, and the Magi gifted it to the infant Jesus in the Gospel account. Christian liturgy includes it in the chrism of some Orthodox churches. Greeks and Romans burned it and added it to wine. In India it is known as heerabol, used in Ayurvedic and Unani preparations as tradition. It is sold as chunks, powder or oil, and the aroma deepens when it is heated gently.