The original Christmas gifts were reported to be gold, frankincense and myrrh; and while they may not be on everyone’s shopping list, there are, even now, websites offering these three items as “deluxe three box gift sets” from less than $50.

The real value of these 21st century replicas might be uncertain (in common with many products available via the internet); however, there is no doubt 2000 years ago gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh would have been well received.

As well as its value as a precious metal, gold has also been used in healing. In the 17th century, gold cordials (gold mixed with alcohol) were prescribed for such ailments as melancholy, fainting, swooning and fevers. However, there is no evidence that these treatments were in any way successful.

Frankincense, as the name implies, for much of its 4000-year history, has been used for its aromatic qualities. Today it is in use as a component of perfumes and toiletries. Records of its medicinal use date back to the 3rd century, when it was recommended for gout, catarrh, colic and gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

In a pharmaceutical sense, myrrh seems to have the best credentials. As recently as the middle of the last century, Australian doctors prescribed pain relieving mixtures containing tincture of myrrh. In Hebrew tradition, myrrh was often mixed with wine and given to a condemned man as an anaesthetic. These days myrrh is valued in some cultures for its antiseptic, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

If you can’t (or don’t want to) get your hands on those Middle Eastern perfumes and pain relievers and you haven’t yet completed your Christmas shopping, health-related gifts might still be an option. If jewellery is on your shopping list, you might consider something that will not only last a lifetime, but might save a life as well – a MedicAlert bracelet or necklet.

MedicAlert is much more than a piece of jewellery. It’s the ultimate in patient protection in emergency situations or unforeseen adverse events.

The MedicAlert service begins with a wrist or a neck emblem individually engraved with critical medical facts and a 24 hours hot-line telephone number. Doctors, paramedics, hospital staff or other emergency responders can work quickly and confidently in the case of an accident or other emergency. They can also call the MedicAlert centre at anytime from anywhere in the world for additional medical details – information that can help avoid life-threatening complications. Check out the website www.medicalert.org.au for more details.

There are other healthy alternatives you might consider at this time as well.

If you or someone in your family has high blood pressure and gadgets are your go-to items for gift ideas, then an electronic home-use blood pressure measuring device (called a sphygmomanometer by the medicos) could be ideal. Meanwhile, for people with diabetes, you might like an upgrade to the new miniature-sized blood glucose meters – about the same size and shape as a mobile phone but at a fraction of the cost and without the bothersome phone calls.

Of course if you must have something near your ear, the electronic ear thermometers, widely used in hospitals and now available for home use, provide a simple, safe and accurate way of measuring body temperature.

Still searching for ideas? How about a first aid kit? There are ready prepared varieties for work, home or keeping in the car; or better still, your pharmacist can help tailor-make one for your own personal needs. And if you already have a first aid kit, make sure the contents are still usable and not out of date. Ask at your local Self Care pharmacy for more advice and pick up a First Aid in the Home fact card. For the location of your nearest Self Care pharmacy, phone the Pharmaceutical Society on 1300 369 772 or log onto the website www.psa.org.au and click on Self Care.