Myrrh Gum

from $12.00

100% ORGANIC

Traditional and modern uses

Oral and dental health

  • Astringent and antiseptic: Myrrh has been used for centuries to treat mouth sores, gingivitis (gum inflammation), and sore throats due to its ability to kill bacteria and reduce swelling.

  • Oral hygiene products: Myrrh is an ingredient in many natural toothpastes, mouthwashes, and oral rinses to combat bacteria, reduce plaque, and freshen breath. 

Skincare and wound healing

  • Antimicrobial properties: In traditional medicine, myrrh was applied to wounds to prevent infection. Test-tube studies show that myrrh oil can kill microbes that infect skin wounds and may inhibit fungi that cause conditions like ringworm and athlete's foot.

  • Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant: Myrrh contains compounds that may help reduce inflammation and combat oxidative damage, potentially aiding in wound healing.

  • Cosmetics and fragrance: Myrrh is used as a fragrant component in cosmetics, lotions, creams, and soaps. 

Aromatherapy and spiritual practice

  • Incense: Throughout history, myrrh resin has been burned as incense for its earthy, spiritual aroma.

  • Aromatherapy: The essential oil is diffused to create a calming and grounding atmosphere, alleviate stress, and support emotional balance.

  • Decongestant: Myrrh is inhaled for its purported ability to offer relief from coughs and congestion. 

Other potential medicinal applications

  • Pain management: Myrrh oil contains compounds that may help reduce pain by interacting with the body's opioid receptors.

  • Antiparasitic effects: Some preliminary studies have explored the use of myrrh against parasitic infections, such as schistosomiasis, but results on its effectiveness have been mixed.

  • Cancer research: Test-tube studies suggest myrrh may help kill or slow the growth of some cancer cells, but human research is lacking. 

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100% ORGANIC

Traditional and modern uses

Oral and dental health

  • Astringent and antiseptic: Myrrh has been used for centuries to treat mouth sores, gingivitis (gum inflammation), and sore throats due to its ability to kill bacteria and reduce swelling.

  • Oral hygiene products: Myrrh is an ingredient in many natural toothpastes, mouthwashes, and oral rinses to combat bacteria, reduce plaque, and freshen breath. 

Skincare and wound healing

  • Antimicrobial properties: In traditional medicine, myrrh was applied to wounds to prevent infection. Test-tube studies show that myrrh oil can kill microbes that infect skin wounds and may inhibit fungi that cause conditions like ringworm and athlete's foot.

  • Anti-inflammatory and antioxidant: Myrrh contains compounds that may help reduce inflammation and combat oxidative damage, potentially aiding in wound healing.

  • Cosmetics and fragrance: Myrrh is used as a fragrant component in cosmetics, lotions, creams, and soaps. 

Aromatherapy and spiritual practice

  • Incense: Throughout history, myrrh resin has been burned as incense for its earthy, spiritual aroma.

  • Aromatherapy: The essential oil is diffused to create a calming and grounding atmosphere, alleviate stress, and support emotional balance.

  • Decongestant: Myrrh is inhaled for its purported ability to offer relief from coughs and congestion. 

Other potential medicinal applications

  • Pain management: Myrrh oil contains compounds that may help reduce pain by interacting with the body's opioid receptors.

  • Antiparasitic effects: Some preliminary studies have explored the use of myrrh against parasitic infections, such as schistosomiasis, but results on its effectiveness have been mixed.

  • Cancer research: Test-tube studies suggest myrrh may help kill or slow the growth of some cancer cells, but human research is lacking. 

Myrrh (/mɜːr/; from an unidentified ancient Semitic language, מוֹר /mor/; from Hebrew, see § Etymology) is a gum-resin extracted from a few small, thorny tree species of the Commiphora genus, belonging to the Burseraceae family.[1] Myrrh resin has been used throughout history in medicine, perfumery, and incenses. Myrrh mixed with posca or wine was widely used in many ancient cultures to produce pleasurable feelings and as an anti-inflammatory and analgesic.[2][citation needed]

Extraction and production

Commiphora myrrha tree, one of the primary trees from which myrrh is harvested

When a cut on a tree penetrates through the bark and into the sapwood, the tree secretes a resin. Myrrh gum, like frankincense, is such a resin. Myrrh is harvested by repeatedly cutting the trees to bleed the gum, which is waxy and coagulates quickly. After the harvest, the gum becomes hard and glossy. The gum is yellowish and may be either clear or opaque. It darkens deeply as it ages, and white streaks emerge.[3]

Myrrh gum is commonly harvested from trees of the genus Commiphora. It is commonly extracted from the species Commiphora myrrha[a], Commiphora africana, Commiphora erythraea, Commiphora gileadensis, Commiphora habessinica, Commiphora hodai, Commiphora quardricincta, Commiphora schimperi and Commiphora truncata.[4]

Commiphora myrrha is native to Somalia, Oman, Yemen, Eritrea, Somali Region of Ethiopia and parts of Saudi Arabia. Meetiga, a trade name for Arabian myrrh, is brittler and gummier than the Somali variety and does not have the latter's white markings.

Liquid myrrh, or stacte, which was written about by Pliny,[5] was formerly a greatly valued ingredient and is commercially available as Jewish Incense.