Not sure how this got here twice.

> Healing Oils
> By Jim Lynn

> The balm of Gilead was a healing oil
> distilled from a
> particular specie of tree known
> scientifically as
> Commiphora opobalsamum. Though this
> particular
> specie no longer exists, many other plant
> species do
> exist which, when distilled, offer amazing
> therapeutic,
> healing qualities.

> For instance, the oil of myrrh (Commiphora
> myrrha),
> which was harvested, produced, and traded in
> Genesis,
> is known today for its anti-infectious,
> antiviral, antiparasitic,
> hormone-like, anti-inflammatory qualities.
> Myrrh oil is
> soothing to the skin, antihyperthyroid, and
> supports the
> immune system.4 It may also prove to be
> anti-tumoral.
> The fragrance of myrrh is heavenly. In fact,
> David described
> the robes of God as smelling of myrrh
> (Psalms 45:8).

> Myrrh contains high amounts of
> sesquiterpenes, compounds
> that have direct effects on the
> hypothalamus, pituitary, and
> amygdala, the seat of our emotions. Those
> who have
> experienced myrrh know of its great calming
> effect. Because
> it directly effects emotion, myrrh promotes
> spiritual awareness
> and is uplifting. Myrrh may also help
> asthma, athlete’s foot,
> candida, coughs, eczema, digestion, fungal
> infection, gingivitis,
> gum infections, hemorrhoids, mouth ulcers,
> ringworm, sore
> throats, skin conditions, wounds, and
> wrinkles.5 No wonder
> myrrh is considered precious throughout
> Scripture. You may
> recall it was myrrh, frankincense and gold
> that was presented
> to the Christ child by the magi. (Matthew
> 2:11).

> It may be difficult for us today to wonder
> how a plant oil could
> be considered more valuable than gold. But
> this will give you
> some idea of how revered precious healing
> oils were in ancient
> times. The Pharaohs of ancient Egypt
> routinely exchanged
> healing oils with the kings of India for
> slaves, gold, and other
> precious goods. When King Tutankhamun’s tomb
> was opened
> in 1922, three hundred and fifty liters of
> oil were discovered in
> alabaster jars. Again, this indicates how
> revered these precious
> oils were held at one time in human history.

> But if something as effective as a plant oil
> was in such demand
> in ancient time, it only underscores, all
> the more, man’s continual
> need for healing today. For the history of
> suffering is the history
> of Satan inflicting injuries and disease on
> God’s children. This is
> the reason why God in His wisdom set a
> healing process in
> motion at the time of creation. He placed
> medicine and food that
> man would need into the plant kingdom so
> each generation could
> have access to the healing and nutrition
> found there.

> Excerpt from The Miracle of Healing in Your
> Church Today