Myrrh is a natural gum that is harvested from the sapwood of a tree
native to Ethiopia, Somalia and Yemen. This resinous material is syrupy
when it first runs from the cut wood, but it quickly hardens into
“tears” when exposed to air. Once collected, the resin is aged for
several weeks before going to market.
Myrrh gum has a long history of use in the Mediterranean region as
fragrance and spice. It is mentioned in the Christian Bible numerous
times, most notably as one of the gifts presented by the Three Wise Men
to the infant Jesus on the eve of his birth. Myrrh was also among the
materials utilized in the elaborate embalming process used by the
ancient Egyptians.
