Myrrh

Species Name: Commiphora myrrha.

Also known as: Balsamodendron Myrrha, Commiphora Myrrha, Molmol, Mirra, Morr, Didin, Didthin, Bowl.

Myrrh is a red-brown resin of dried sap from the Comminphora myrrha, Commiphora erythreaea, Commiohora opobalsamum, and Balsamodendron kua trees.

Known as one of the gifts brought to the baby Jesus by the three wise men, it is native to Somalia and Ethiopia.

It is an ingredient in many perfumes and incence. Highly prized in ancient times, it was often worth more than gold.

It was burned at funerals and cremations to mask unpleasant smells. It is now used in a variety of perfumes, lotions, and toiletries. Fernet Branca, a bitter aromatic spirit, is made from Myrrh, a combination of other flavorings, and a base of grape alcohol.

It is still used as a digestif in many places. It is often served with coca cola, or coffee and espresso. A number of home remedies, including treatment for menstrual discomfort, gastro-intestinal upset, hangovers, and baby cholic. It was even used as a treatment for cholera once upon a time.

What is Myrrh: A red-brown resin of dried sap from trees such as Comminphora myrrha, Commiphora erythreaea, Commiohora opobalsamum, and Balsamodendron kua.

Home remedies using myrrh:

Benefits of Myrrh:

Gum makes a good mucilage and the insoluble residue from the tincture can be used in this way. It is soluble in alcohol, water, and ether.

Myrrh is a common ingredient of toothpowders, and is used with borax in tincture, with other ingredients, as a mouth-wash.

The Compound Tincture, or Horse Tincture, is used in veterinary practice for healing wounds.

Uses of Myrrh:

It is used in chronic catarrh, phthisis pulmonalis, chlorosis, and in amenorrhoea is often combined with aloes and iron. As a wash it is good for spongy gums, ulcerated throat and aphthous stomatitis, and the tincture is also applied to foul and indolentulcers.

It has been found helpful in bronchorrhoea and leucorrhoea. It has also been used as a vermifuge. Astringent, healing. Tonic and stimulant. A direct emmenagogue, a tonic in dyspepsia, an expectorant in the absence of feverish symptoms, a stimulant to the mucous tissues, a stomachic carminative, exciting appetite and the flow of gastric juice, and an astringent wash.

The gum makes good mucilage and the insoluble residue from the tincture can be used in this way. It is soluble in alcohol, water, and ether. When long-continued rubefacient effect is needed, a plaster may be made with 1 1/2 OZ. each of camphor, myrrh, and balsam of Peru rubbed together and added to 32 OZ. of melted lead plaster, the whole being stirred until cooling causes it to thicken. It is normally imported in powder form and converted to tinctures, or extracts to be used as ingredients in various topical and oral solutions.

Side Effects of Myrrh:

Taken orally, myrrh has been shown to tighten the muscles of the uterus and promote menstrual blood flow. Because these actions could cause a miscarriage, pregnant women should avoid taking myrrh by mouth.

The effects of topical myrrh on a developing fetus are unknown therefore the use of myrrh as a mouthwash is also not advised during pregnancy.

Not recommended in any dosage form when breast-feeding or during early childhood.

Oral doses of 2,000 mg to 4,000 mg (2 grams to 4 grams) of myrrh have resulted in: Diarrhea, heart rate changes, and kidney irritation could occur.

When it is applied to the skin, myrrh occasionally may cause an allergic reaction that may include an itchy rash. In addition, some evidence suggests that frequent applications of myrrh to the same area of skin can eventually be irritating.

Because it may have an effect on blood sugar, taking myrrh by mouth may interfere with the effectiveness of medications used for the treatment of diabetes.

Myrrh applied to the skin or used as mouthwash is not thought to affect blood sugar. However, if you are taking medications for diabetes, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using any form of myrrh.