The Balsam of Myrrh Beginnings

Myrrh Resin

In those days, there were no widely distributed remedies or nostrums. Medication was directly prepared by physicians, or city apothecaries, for individual patients.

But the traveling doctor had observed that one external antiseptic he had tried seemed to consistently reduce the risk of infection. And infection in the 1800's often meant amputation or death. He called this important treatment Balsam of Myrrh.

Its most conspicuous ingredient was an aromatic gum resin secreted by shrubs. Although long forgotten, myrrh had been used as a wound dressing at the dawn of recorded history. The Smyth Papyrus, an Egyptian medical text dated 1650 b.c., describes myrrh as "a most efficacious salve for Pharaoh's soldiers."

Microbiologists now understand that myrrh does, indeed, inhibit bacterial growth. In fact, it is considered bacteriostatic against that most common of bacterial invaders of skin and soft tissue, Staphylococcus aureus. Myrrh was an excellent defense against infection and gangrene.

The Hanford Farm

Soon, Seth Hanford was busy compounding his pungent natural antiseptic at his farm; then traveling to nearby communities to sell the cork-sealed bottles. His son, George C. Hanford began to help in the family enterprise.

However, 'G.C.' realized that making the product and then going on the road to sell it was a self-limiting way of doing business. He then had an idea which was truly innovative for its time. G.C. decided to stay home to manufacture large quantities and began to hire employees to sell Balsam of Myrrh as 'drummers' or traveling salesmen.

While this unorthodox approach was slow to be accepted, George C. Hanford gradually built the small family business into a big business with numerous employees by the second half of the nineteenth century.

Hanford's Balsam of Myrrh

Hanford manufacturing and distribution strategies ushered in a new era of popular interest in health care products. Balsam of Myrrh was among Americas' first widely distributed 'patent medicines', an enterprise which would ultimately bring profound changes to society by launching a new form of business communication — advertising.

(Until then, apart from signs on buildings and formal announcements in weekly newspapers, selling was a face-to-face personal endeavor. Then, G.C. Hanford and a handful of other marketers of elixers transformed the process into broad cast print.)

New Spray Bottle

With an emphasis on improving the application of Hanford's Balsam of Myrrh, Hanford introduces a new bottle size and spray top.

Hanford’s Balsam of Myrrh serves a double purpose as a liniment in the treatment of muscular lameness and superficial pain from overexertion and as an external antiseptic dressing for the treatment of minor cuts, bruises, galls, and calks.

It promotes healing and leaves a thin protective coating.

When using the spray bottle Hanford’s Balsam of Myrrh is best applied by spraying directly on affected area. It remains in place without a bandage. When using a bottle without the spray nozzle Hanford’s Balsam of Myrrh is best applied with cotton or poured on.