Most Western Christian churches observe epiphany on the 6th of January to celebrate the visit of the Three Wise Men (or Three Kings from the East). According to the New Testament these men brought Jesus gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
There are various theories about the meaning of these expensive and valued gifts. Whatever the reasons for their choice, gold, myrrh and frankincense all have their significance in medicine - and two millennia after the original epiphany, new medical uses for them are still being discovered. In particular, all of the three have been used in the treatment of rheumatic and autoimmune diseases.
Gold in Medicine
Gold salts (such as auranofin, aurothioglucose and varius sodium salts of gold - not all of them are actually salts) are best known for their use in rheumatoid arthritis. They are sometimes also used to treat other autoimmune diseases like psoriatic arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis).
The mode of action of gold in this use is not fully understood, but is likely associated with nonspecific reduction of immune system response and inflammation, as with most other drugs used in the treatment of autoimmune disease.
Auranofin also appears to have some anticancer properties. In studies it has been shown to induce apoptosis (cell death) in several types of cancer cells, including ovarian cancer and leukemia.
Myrrh in Medicine
Myrrh is a resin made by drying the sap of some tree species in the genus Commiphora, mainly Commiphora myrrha. It was historically used as an incense, in perfumes, in anointing oil and as an embalming ointment. Studies have found myrrh to possess anti-inflammatory, local anaesthetic and muscle relaxant activity.
Since ancient times myrrh has been known to have significant antiseptic properties. It has both antibacterial and antifungal activity. Recently myrrh has attracted interest as a treatment of schistosomiasis (bilharzia), a parasitic infection affecting millions of people, but its efficacy appears to be low.
In Arab countries myrrh is commonly used in the treatment of diabetes, though no clinical studies have been done of this use. However, myrrh may improve glucose tolerance and a recent study found that myrrh reduced cholesterol levels in rats, but human studies have not been performed.
Myrrh is also popularly used in Chinese medicine and Ayurveda. In many schools of herbalism it is commonly used together with frankincense.
Frankincense in Medicine
Frankincense was a highly valued incense in Biblical times - with a name literally meaning "French incense." Frankincense comes from trees in the Boswellia genus and may also be called olibanum. When used as an incense it repels mosquitoes, which can be an effective way of preventing mosquito-borne illnesses such as malaria, but there are also preparations for oral consumption.
Especially Indian frankincense or Boswellia serrata has attracted interest recently, after studies have shown efficacy in a variety of chronic illnesses from Crohn's disease to osteoarthritis. Boswellia has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antidepressive and anxiolytic (anxiety relieving) properties. It may even help rejuvenate the skin.
References
Marzano C, Gandin V, Folda A, et al. Inhibition of thioredoxin reductase by auranofin induces apoptosis in cisplatin-resistant human ovarian cancer cells. Free Radic Biol Med. 2007 Mar 15;42(6):872-81.
Kim IS, Jin JY, Lee IH, et al. Auranofin induces apoptosis and when combined with retinoic acid enhances differentiation of acute promyelocytic leukaemia cells in vitro. Br J Pharmacol. 2004 Jun;142(4):749-55.
Amoudi et al. Hypocholesterolemic effect of some plants and their blend as studied on albino rats. International Journal of Food Safety, Nutrition, and Public Health. 2009;2(2):176
Dolara P, Corte B, Ghelardini C, et al. Local anaesthetic, antibacterial and antifungal properties of sesquiterpenes from myrrh. Planta Med. 2000 May;66(4):356-8.
Barakat R, Elmorshedy H, Fenwick A. Efficacy of myrrh in the treatment of human Schistosomiasis mansoni. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2005 Aug;73(2):365-7.
Moussaieff A, Mechoulam R. Boswellia resin: from religious ceremonies to medical uses; a review of in-vitro, in-vivo and clinical trials. J Pharm Pharmacol. 2009 Oct;61(10):1281-93.
Join the Conversation