A fragrant resin obtained from certain trees, used in perfumes, incense, and traditional medicine. It has been valued since ancient times for its aromatic and preservative qualities.
From Arabic murr meaning 'bitter', referring to the resin's bitter taste. The word entered English via Latin myrrha and Greek myrrha, ultimately tracing back to a Semitic root. It was one of the gifts brought by the Magi to the infant Jesus, cementing its place in Western culture.
Myrrh's name literally means 'bitter' in Arabic, yet this bitter resin was so precious it was given as a gift fit for a king! The ancient Egyptians used it for mummification because its antimicrobial properties actually helped preserve bodies for millennia.
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