Myrrh in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Myrrh

Scientific name

Commiphora molmol

Family

Burseraceae

Origin

Somalia, Sudan, Yemen

Synonyms

Parts Used

As a drug, the resin with an acrid smell is used, collected in granules and in small brownish masses (Official Pharmacopoeia)

Chemical constituents

• Essential oil;
• Sesquiterpenes;
• Ketones;
• Sterols;
• Polysaccharides.

Myrrh in Herbal Medicine: Properties of Myrrh

In the past, the resin obtained from the plant was used orally as a carminative, expectorant, digestive and urinary disinfectant; however, these uses are now abandoned due to a lack of data on the safety of use of myrrh.

The plant was also used as a perfume for rooms, as an insecticide, or even during funeral ceremonies for embalming.
The myrrh tincture is a specific remedy (for external use) for gingivitis, pyorrhea, canker sores, stomatitis and tonsillitis; it can also be used for the dressing of abrasions, wounds, skin ulcerations, boils and acne.