Plant of the Week – Myrrh or Dinden Tree

Another of the gifts brought to Jesus by the wise men, and traditionally Casper from Tarsus, was myrrh. Myrrh, like frankincense, is a plant extract that had religious significance, but was used primarily in funeral preparations of the body after death, as was the body of Jesus following his crucifixion. Myrrh grows as small trees or shrubs and they are of the botanical family Burseraceae. Its natural growing range is limited, but this has been extended by cultivation, and the current supplies are adequate to meet worldwide demand. Today, most of the internationally-traded myrrh is produced in the southern Arabian peninsula (Oman, Yemen) and in northeast Africa (Somalia).

The bushes yielding the resin do not grow more than 9 feet in height, but they are of sturdy build, with knotted branches, and branchlets that stand out at right-angles, ending in a sharp spine. The trifoliate leaves are scanty, small and very unequal, oval and entire. There are ducts in the bark, and the tissue between them breaks down, forming large cavities, which, with the remaining ducts, becomes filled with a granular secretion which is freely discharged when the bark is wounded, or from natural fissures. It flows as a pale yellow liquid, but hardens to a reddish-brown mass, being found in commerce in tears of many sizes, the average being that of a walnut.

Because myrrh was used in the embalming or anointing of the dead, it came to represent mortality, suffering, and sorrow. Myrrh also has many medicinal uses. In ancient times it was used for cleaning wounds and sores. As late as the 19th century it was given as a treatment for worms, coughs, colds, sore throats, asthma, indigestion, bad breath, gum disease, and gonorrhea. Today it is still a common ingredient in toothpaste and mouthwash. For further information, please call Patrick Haller at Quality Trees, Inc. at 931-261-5885.