Myrrh and Frankincense

Of the ‘chief spices' (literally ‘head spices’) listed in this paradisiacal garden from the Songs of Solomon, eight are identified and seven of them are known to tweak the brain. Both of the resinous gifts of the Magi, for example, are classed as tranquillizers today, though the label doesn’t do them justice. Myrrh is one of the more commonly accepted "drugs" mentioned in the Bible, mainly because Most don't think "drug" when they think Myrrh yet by definition, it does and is. Like opium, myrrh targets opioid receptors to regulate pain. It was used for many things, but the sap was specifically useful because of its anesthetic properties.  

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Myrrh targets mu- and delta-opioid receptors (like opium), and frankincense contains dehydroabietic acid which works on GABA receptors (like Valium).

The mode of action on the receptors, and therefore the resulting experience, is quite different from Valium, but the proof of that pudding is in the eating. You can chew up about the size of two peas to start with and go gently beyond that because at some point your intestinal flora will be offended. I think frankincense is lovely, Dioscordes wrote that it could cause madness. You have been warned.

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Frankincense also contains incensole acetate, which works on the TRPV3 ion channel. In skin cells, TRVP3 is involved in temperature sensation, but it is also widely distributed in the brain where its functions remain a mystery. Whatever it does, since at least the 16th century BC people felt that it justified a 1,500-mile, six-month camel trek across bandit-infested deserts. It seems rather too much trouble just for a posh whiff, no?

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Other Chief Spices from the Garden

Saffron In Islamic jurisprudence, saffron is classed as one of the permissible “drugs that cause joy”. It contains the GABA agonist safranal, as well as safrole which is used in the manufacture of MDMA. Safrole is also found in Cinnamon, along with eugenol, which is another MDMA precursor.

 

Agarwood is sedative and analgesic.

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Spikenard (pronounced “spick ‘n ‘ard”) is the ointment rubbed on Jesus’ feet, much to the annoyance of Judas who betrays his master immediately afterwards (John 12, Mark 14).

 Remember that incident of Mary anointing the feet of Jesus? “Mary took a pound of costly perfume made of pure nard, anointed Jesus’ feet, and wiped them with her hair. The house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume,” (John 12:3). This was another occasion of drug use.

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Although an extremely expensive perfume, nard oil was also used as a sedative, as well as for fighting insomnia, pain, and minor ailments. It boosts neurotransmitters including serotonin, dopamine and GABA, and is classed as a nootropic, meaning that it assists in memory formation. Pomegranate is rich in serotonin, melatonin, and other tryptamines. Henna is the one plant without any known psychoactive chemicals, though maybe the ancients knew something we don’t.

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Mandrake is another found in the bible. This plant, found in the Mediterranean area, has been associated with a variety of sorcery, witchcraft, and other pagan practices. The plant’s roots, which sometimes resemble human figures, are the parts needed for most uses, for they contain components (hallucinogenic alkaloids) producing wild excitement or ecstasy.28 They commonly were used as an aphrodisiac to excite sexual desire.29 The apple-sized fruit of this plant possesses stimulating and narcotic properties in lesser amounts and was called ‘love-apples’ (or ‘Satan’s apples’ by Arabs), and these plants are still grown in Israel and surrounding areas.30 Here is an example, in the Old Testament, of using mandrakes to barter for sex, not much unlike how some alcohols or drugs are used in today’s society.

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“In the days of wheat harvest Reuben went and found mandrakes in the field, and brought them to his mother Leah. Then Rachel said to Leah, ‘Please give me some of your son’s mandrakes.’ But she said to her, ‘Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son’s mandrakes also?’ Rachel said, ‘Then he may lie with you tonight for your son’s mandrakes.’ When Jacob came from the field in the evening, Leah went out to meet him, and said, ‘You must come in to me; for I have hired you with my son’s mandrakes.’ So he lay with her that night,” (Genesis 30:14-16).