Papaya - a world class meat tenderizer, natural digestive aid, prevents ulcers, and also a soft contact lense cleaner.Myrrh
Thoroughly Modern Mouthwash
Family: Burseraceae; (includes Balm of Gilead, Bdellium)
Genus and Species: Commiphora Abyssinica or C. Myrrha
Also known as: Balsamodendron
Parts used: The oleo-gum-resin from the stem
The Bible tells us that when Joseph’s jealous brothers decided to dispose of him, they plotted and schemed. How could they get rid of this unwanted rival for their father’s affection without actually murdering him? The answer soon appeared on the horizon. “And looking up, they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh on their way to carry it down to Egypt” (Genesis 37:25). They sold Ioseph to the lshmaelites.
This is just the first of a dozen biblical references to the hardened, tear-shaped clots of clear or reddish brown aromatic resin that exude from incisions in the bark of a small Middle Eastern tree.
First used by the ancient Egyptians in embalming mixtures, myrrh became the all-purpose biblical aromatic for perfumes, funerals, and insect repellents. Today it may help to repel tooth decay and gum disease.
Mythological Origins
The Greeks traced myrrh’s teardrop shape to Myrrha, daughter of the Syrian king Thesis. Myrrha refused to worship Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Angered by this blasphemy, Aphrodite tricked her into committing incest with her father. When Thesis realized what he had done, he threatened to kill his daughter. To save her, the gods transformed her into a myrrh tree, whose teardrop resin recalls the girl’s sorrow.
Ancient Greek and Roman physicians used the herb to treat wounds and prescribed it internally as a digestive aid and menstruation promoter.
Soothes Sore Gums
As the centuries passed, myrrh became valued primarily as an oral treatment for bleeding gums, mouth ulcers, and sore throat. Medieval German abbess/herbalist Hildegard of Bingen prescribed a mixture of powdered myrrh and aloe for dental problems. Later herbalists also used it as an expectorant for colds and chest congestion.
America’s 19th-century Eclectics considered myrrh an external antiseptic for treatment of “indolent sores and gangrenous ulcers.” They prescribed internal use for colds, laryngitis, asthma, bronchitis, indigestion, gonorrhea, sore throat. dental cavities, and bad breath. The Eclectics also warned that large amounts can have violent laxative action and cause sweating, nausea, vomiting, and accelerated heartbeat.
Contemporary herbalists recommend adding powdered myrrh to well-washed wounds as an antiseptic and consider a gargle made from the herb effective against sore throat, colds, sore teeth and gums, coughs, asthma, and chest congestion.