THE myrrh perfumes are among the most sought after for Christmas: it is in fact an olfactory note widely used in winter perfumery, of natural origin. It is a resin released from the trunks of some Middle Eastern and African plants, left to harden for three weeks to three months. Warm, balsamic, aromatic, slightly spicy, myrrh is a very enveloping note, perfect for perfuming the Christmas holidays.
Myrrh perfumes, a well-known symbol of Christmas
A myrrh fragrance it is suitable for those who love creations full of charm and mystery. This resin is in fact mentioned many times in the BibleIt is one of gifts brought by the Three Wise Men at the birth of Jesus and it is also present in the Vedas, sacred texts in Sanskrit, and in the Koran.
In short, myrrh is an olfactory ingredient with a thousand-year past. Precisely for this reason it has always been considered, together with incense, a so-called “aroma-bridge” with God, a scent with a very strong meditative power. Not surprisingly, its resin is also burned during moments of prayer.
Obviously, this ingredient brings with it many myths. One above all is narrated in the Metamorphosis by Ovid: tells of Myrrha’s love for her father Cinyras, king of Cyprus. Once realizing her daughter’s infatuation, her father sacrificed her to the Gods who, however, taking pity on her young girl, transformed her into a myrrh plant. Hence the custom of burning its precious resin as a sacred gesture towards the deities. And therefore as a symbol of Christmas.
Myrrh, a resin with precious drops
But what is myrrh? Considered the “blue gold” of natural resins, it is a gum resin that comes out in the shape of a drop from the blue bark of a thorny shrub, la Commiphora Myrraand is harvested after about 3 weeks, so that it is well solidified, either directly from the bark itself or once it has fallen to the ground.
NoIn Ancient Egypt it was thought to come from the tears of Horus, the sky god, and was burned in large quantities at midday as a greeting to the Gods, as well as being used in the mummification process. Raw, it has a color that varies from yellow to dark and a very oily and viscous consistency. From it yes they get the absolute, essential oil, and tincture.
Native to all semi-arid and arid areas of East Africa, Arabia and the Indian subcontinent, it is widespread for example in Somalia, Eritrea and Yemen, where it was already used 3700 years ago for religious contemplation.
Beyond its mystical value, some studies have shown that the myrrh helps calm the nervous system, relax the mind and purify the spirit.
The aroma of myrrh, woody, liqueur-like, enveloping
Full-bodied and soft, myrrh has a very multifaceted aroma: liqueur-like and very warm, woody, but also balsamic and in a certain sense slightly sweet.
Where to find it? Myrrh&Tonka Of Jo Malone is inspired bythe atmospheres of the Namib desert, populated by many myrrh trees. The English brand has enhanced it with tonka bean, slightly almondy and vanilla-flavoured, and lavender. Lavender also present in Eau Noire from the Collection Privée by Christian Dior where the myrrh base is refreshed by the Provençal note and made more gourmand by the tonka bean.
Very oriental interpretation in Myrrhe Imperiale Of Armani Privemysterious and seductive, and for Myrrhe Mystere Of Tom Ford which makes the key note more enveloping thanks to a base of intense vanilla. Black Datura Of Miller Harris instead reveals a much more seductive and disturbing myrrh: the credit goes to the tuberose and ylang-ylang which give charm.
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