As the days get shorter and colder, it is easy to overlook the promise that winter holds for us. We forget that under gloomy skies and snowy scenes, the seed of all things new is hidden, waiting to grow. At its core, December is about birth. From the renewal of light at the solstice and the famous birth story of Christmas, to the month's end and the birth of another year.

As Christmas approaches, the story of motherhood shines brightly. There is a human element, something intimately recognizable in Mary's story. We are touched by a mother's faith and resolve, her endurance and resoluteness. We are reminded that the path is often difficult, but the rewards of our labor can be great.

The story of the nativity has different meanings for us all. Since I was a child, I have always been intrigued by the story of the magi - wise men, moved by faith, to travel from afar to be a part of one of the great stories of motherhood. While uncertainty surrounds these men, who they were and from where they traveled, we know they came bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While these materials sound exotic, they are still frequently used in ceremony and ritual around the world. They are also used medicinally.

There is a long history of the use of frankincense and myrrh in Chinese herbal medicine. Both substances are obtained by extracting sap from specific plants, much the same way one would gather maple syrup. Frankincense, known as ru xiang, has been thought to ease pain, relax the muscles, and speed in wound healing. Myrrh, or mo yao, has similar effects of treating pain and swelling and promoting the healing of wounds. Traditionally, these medicinal substances were used as pair to treat a variety of ailments including arthritic pain, traumatic injury, and postpartum pain. Today, these compounds are being scientifically researched for medical use. Recent studies show that extract of frankincense may be helpful in treating chronic inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's, IBS, asthma, arthritis, and even cancer. Similarly, Myrrh has been demonstrated to have both an analgesic effect and an effect on blood chemistry, regulating blood sugar and cholesterol levels.

Some historians speculate that at least one of the Three Wise Men came from China. If we assume that he had knowledge of the medicinal practices of his time, perhaps it was no coincidence that frankincense and myrrh were given to this new mother. I like to imagine that Mary was an early user of Chinese Medicine, gaining some natural relief from postpartum pain. Natural medicine has been used throughout history, by every culture, for a wide variety of ailments. Although Chinese Medicine has perhaps the most complete written history of herb use, every culture has its own record. Even the bible advises, "The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth; and (s)he that is wise will not abhor them." (Eccl. 38:4).

Today, we continue to use these same substances to treat pain naturally. Frankincense and myrrh are found in several of the formulas we use at TCRA, most notably in our formulation of Pain Free.

From all of us at TCRA, Happy Holidays to all of you. May your December be full of happiness, joy, and new beginnings!