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'Myrrh' is a red-brown resinous material, the dried sap of the tree ''Commiphora myrrha'', native to Somalia and the eastern parts of Ethiopia. The sap of a number of other ''Commiphora'' and ''Balsamodendron'' species are also known as myrrh, including that from ''C. erythraea'' (sometimes called East Indian myrrh), ''C. opobalsamum'' and ''Balsamodendron kua''. Its name entered English via the Ancient Greek, ''μύρρα'', which is probably of Semitic origin. Myrrh is also applied to the potherb ''Myrrhis odorata'' otherwise known as "Cicely" or "Sweet Cicely".
High quality myrrh can be identified through the darkness and clarity of the resin. However, the best method of judging the resin's quality is by feeling the stickiness of freshly broken fragments to directly determine the fragrant-oil content of the myrrh resin. The scent of raw myrrh resin and its essential oil is sharp, pleasant, somewhat bitter and can be roughly described as being "stereotypically resinous". When burned, it produces a smoke that is heavy, bitter and somewhat phenolic in scent, which may be tinged with a slight vanillic sweetness. Unlike most other resins, myrrh expands and "blooms" when burned instead of melting or liquefying.
Myrrh is a constituent of perfumes and incense, was highly prized in ancient times, and was often worth more than its weight in gold. In Ancient Rome myrrh was priced at five times as much as frankincense, though the latter was far more popular. Myrrh was burned in ancient Roman funerals to mask the smell emanating from charring corpses. It was said that the Roman Emperor Nero burned a year's worth of myrrh at the funeral of his wife, Poppaea.
Myrrh was one of the gifts of the Magi to the infant Jesus according to Matthew 2:11. Mary would have used it to aide in postpartum healing. Myrrh was used as an embalming ointment and was used, up until about the 15th century, as a penitential incense in funerals and cremations. It is alluded to in the Christmas carol ''We Three Kings''. The scent can also be used in mixtures of incense, to provide an earthy element to the overall smell, and as an additive to wine, a practice alluded to by ancient authorities such as Fabius Dorsennus. It is also used in various perfumes, toothpastes, lotions, and other modern toiletries.

Contents

Medicinal value

Research

Further reading

References

See also

Medicinal value

In Chinese medicine, myrrh is classified as bitter, spicy, neutral in temperature and affecting the heart, liver, and spleen meridians. Its uses are similar to those of frankincense, with which it is often combined in decoctions, liniments and incense. Myrrh is more blood-moving, while frankincense tends to move the qi more, and is better for arthritic conditions. Myrrh is one of the most effective of all known disinfectants. It increases circulation, heart rate and power. It is useful for amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea, menopause and uterine tumors, as it purges what in Chinese medicine is known as stagnant blood out of the uterus. Myrrh is good for many chronic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. It helps toothache pain applied externally. An excellent liniment for bruises, aches and sprains is made from a combination of myrrh, golden seal and cayenne, macerated in rubbing alcohol for about two weeks. Combined with peach seeds and safflower, myrrh is good for stomatitis, gingivitis and laryngitis.^[1]
Myrrh is most commonly used in Chinese medicine for rheumatic, arthritic and circulatory problems. It is combined with such herbs as notoginseng, safflower stamens, Angelica sinensis, cinnamon and Salvia miltiorrhiza, usually in alcohol, and used both internally and externally. ^[1]
Myrrh is used more frequently in Ayurveda, Unani medicine and Western herbalism, which ascribe to it tonic and rejuvenative properties. A related species, known as guggul in Ayurvedic medicine is considered one of the best substances for the treatment of circulatory problems, nervous system disorders and rheumatic complaints, Myrrh (Daindhava) is used in many rasayana formulas in Ayurveda, formulas which are non-toxic tonics which will strengthen anyone regardless of constitutional type.
However rasayana herbs have special processing. Outside of this form myrrh is contraindicated for pregnant women or women with excessive uterine bleeding. It should not be used with evidence of kidney dysfunction or stomach pain. Best used as 5% or less of a formula.^[3][4]
In western pharmacy this herb is a powerful antiseptic and is a strong cleaning and healing agent, soothing the body and speeding the healing process. It is most often used in mouthwashes, gargles and tooth pastes for fighting and preventing gum disease. Myrrh is currently used in some liniments, healing salves that may be applied to abrasions and other minor skin ailments. It is also used in the production of Fernet Branca.

Research

• In an attempt to determine the cause of its effectiveness, researchers examined the individual ingredients of an herbal formula used traditionally by Kuwaiti diabetics to lower blood glucose. Only myrrh and aloe gums effectively improved glucose tolerance in both normal and diabetic rats
^[5]
• Mixing myrrh gum into vinegar increases its ability to remove blood congestion and relieve pain ^[6][4]

Further reading

★ Preliminary study of therapeutic efficacy of a new fasciolicidal drug derived from ''Commiphora molmol'' (myrrh), Massoud A, El Sisi S, Salama O, Massoud A, , , Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2001

★ (US ISBN 0-520-22789-1), pp. 107–122.

★ , pp. 226–227, with additions

★ Abyssine Myrrh), Monfieur Pomet, , , History of Druggs, 1709 Abyssine Myrrh

★ ''The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese, Western, and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatments'' by Ph. D., A.H.G., D.Ay, Alan Keith Tillotson, O.M.D., L.Ac., Nai-shing Hu Tillotson, and M.D., Robert Abel Jr.

References

1. http://www.planetherbs.com/articles/bloodherb.html#MYRRH Michael Tierra. 'The Emmenagogues"
2. http://www.planetherbs.com/articles/bloodherb.html#MYRRH Michael Tierra. 'The Emmenagogues"
3. http://www.swsbm.com/ManualsMM/HRBENRGT.pdf Michael Moore ''Materia Medica''
4. http://oneearthherbs.squarespace.com/important-herbs/myrrh-gum-commiphora-myrrha.html Alan Tillotson "Myrrh"
5. Al-Awadi FM, Gumaa KA. Studies on the activity of individual plants of an antidiabetic plant mixture. Acta Diabetol Lat. 1987 Jan-Mar;24(1):37-41.
6. Yeung, HC, Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas, vol. 1, Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles, 1983.(
7. http://oneearthherbs.squarespace.com/important-herbs/myrrh-gum-commiphora-myrrha.html Alan Tillotson "Myrrh"

See also

★ Chrism