Oleum Martyris

An oily discharge from the bones of St Nicholas of Myra, the Oleum Martyris has healing properties that pilgrims will cheerfully pay top dollar for. At his shrine in Myra (and later, after the theft and relocation of his remains, in Bari), priests have placed in a sarcophagus that collects and drains the oil, allowing them to bottle and dilute it. The Oleum smells faintly of myrrh, and has taste and mouthfeel that is floral, greasy and thick.

The priest who maintained the shrine at Myra poured oil, myrrh and holy water into the sarcophagus and then sold the drainings as the Oleum Martyris: it is possible, therefore, that the bones do not generate oil of their own accord, and that the healings attributed to the substance are merely examples of the placebo effect.

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Origin: Nicked by M. T. Anderson.