Name and origin

Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh) or in old texts it is referred to as Balsamodendron myrrha (See Kohler’s Medicinal Plants (1890)).

Family

Burseraceae

Part used for essential oil

Gum resin from the Commiphora myrrha tree by distillation.

History

Myrrh has been used and valued since ancient times. Its long history of use goes back to 4000 years go. It was regularly used in Egypt and India for rituals, as incense, in cosmetics and even for oral health applications such toothpaste and mouth rinse.

In Christianity, gold, frankincense and myrrh were the gifts given to the baby Jesus by the three wise men.

Nowadays, it is widely used for spiritual applications, food and drink industry and in cosmetics and perfumery for its grounding, meditative scent.

Safety information

Tisserand and Young indicated that myrrh essential oil may be fetotoxic, and recommended to avoid its use during pregnancy and lactation.

Use of essential oil

Emotional: stress, nervous tension, anxiety, insomnia, depression, debility

Skin: grazes, cuts, chapped/cracked and dry skin, mature skin, fungal infections, ulcers, acne

Respiratory: laryngitis, sinusitis, colds, influenza, coughs, catarrh

Digestive: gingivitis, mouth ulcers

Muscular/Skeletal: arthritis, rheumatism, aches and pains

Genito-urinary: dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea, birthing tears

Therapeutic properties

• anaesthetic

• antibacterial

• anticatarrhal

• antidepressant

• antifungal

• anti-infectious

• anti-inflammatory

• antimicrobial

• antiseptic

• cicatrisant

• emmenagogue

• expectorant

• sedative

• tonic

• uterine

• vulnerary