The Bible tells us about many natural remedies. People used these healing plants and oils thousands of years ago. Many of these old remedies still work today.
Here are five natural healing remedies mentioned in the Bible.
Olive Oil
Olive oil was like medicine in Bible times. People used it for many health problems. It was their first aid kit in a bottle!
The Bible mentions olive oil around 200 times. In James 5:14, we read about using oil to help sick people. The church elders would pray and put oil on the sick person.
Remember the Good Samaritan story? He helped an injured man on the roadside. He cleaned the man’s wounds with olive oil and wine. This shows how people used olive oil to heal wounds.
Today, we know olive oil is good for our health. It fights inflammation in our bodies. It helps keep our hearts healthy. You can also put it on your skin for moisture. Some people use it for minor burns or dry skin.
Frankincense
You probably know frankincense as a gift the wise men brought to baby Jesus.
Frankincense comes from Boswellia trees that grow in hot, dry regions. It was very valuable back then.
Frankincense comes from tree sap that hardens into golden drops.
People didn’t just value frankincense for its nice smell. They used it as medicine too. It helped with pain and swelling. People even used it to improve their mood when feeling down.
Scientists today have studied frankincense. They found it really does reduce inflammation. It can help conditions like arthritis. Some studies show it may help with anxiety and stress too.
You can use frankincense oil in a diffuser. The scent helps with deep breathing and relaxation. Many people find it calming at bedtime.
Hyssop
Hyssop is a small bush with blue-purple flowers. It appears in many Bible stories about cleaning and purifying.
King David wrote about hyssop in Psalm 51:7. He said, “Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean.” He was talking about spiritual cleaning, but people knew hyssop had real cleansing powers too.
During the first Passover, God told the Israelites to use hyssop branches. They dipped the branches in blood and marked their doorposts.
We even see hyssop at Jesus’ crucifixion. Someone put a sponge on a hyssop stem. They dipped it in vinegar and lifted it to Jesus’ lips.
Hyssop contains natural oils that fight germs. It helps clear mucus from your chest when you have a cough. Many people drink hyssop tea for sore throats. It helps with congestion from colds too.
I find it amazing that modern science confirms what Bible people knew. Hyssop really does help clean and heal.
Myrrh
Myrrh appears many times in the Bible. Like frankincense, it was one of the gifts the wise men brought to baby Jesus. Myrrh comes from small, thorny Commiphora trees.
When the bark is cut, a yellowish sap flows out and hardens into reddish-brown chunks.
Myrrh has a distinct smell. It’s warm, earthy, and slightly bitter. Some people say it smells a bit like licorice. The scent lasts a long time. People in Bible times valued this unique fragrance.
The Bible mentions myrrh in many places. In Exodus 30:23-25, God tells Moses to use myrrh in the sacred anointing oil. In Esther 2:12, we learn that Queen Esther used myrrh oil for six months as part of her beauty treatments.
Myrrh was also used for embalming. In John 19:39, Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes to prepare Jesus’ body for burial. This was a common practice in those days.
People valued myrrh for its healing properties. They used it to clean and treat wounds. It helped with mouth and gum problems.
Some used it for stomach troubles. Women used it for problems with their monthly cycles.
Today, scientists know myrrh has strong germ-fighting properties. It helps reduce swelling and pain.
You can find myrrh in many mouthwashes and toothpastes. It helps keep gums healthy.
Balm of Gilead
The Bible mentions the Balm of Gilead several times. This special healing mixture came from trees in the Gilead region. It was famous for its healing power.
In Jeremiah 46:11, we read, “Go up to Gilead and get balm.” This shows how well-known this medicine was. People traveled great distances to get it.
The Bible also tells us about traders carrying this balm to Egypt. It was a valuable item that people would pay good money for.
We don’t know exactly what the Balm of Gilead contained. Most scholars think it came from a special tree that grew in that region.
People used this balm to heal wounds and prevent infection. They applied it to painful joints for relief. Some inhaled the vapors to help with breathing problems.
Today, products called “Balm of Gilead” contain ingredients that reduce pain and fight infection. They continue the tradition of this ancient healing remedy.
God’s Pharmacy in the Bible
I find it wonderful that the Bible mentions these healing plants and oils. God provided natural remedies in His creation. People discovered these healing substances and passed down their knowledge.
Today’s medicine has given us many new treatments. But these old remedies still have value. Scientists continue to study them and find they really work.
Always talk to your doctor before trying any natural remedy. This is especially important if you take other medications. These biblical substances can work alongside modern medicine. They shouldn’t replace proper medical care.
God’s creation contains many healing wonders. The Bible gives us glimpses of this ancient wisdom that still helps us today.
