SACRED MYRRH Resin | Commiphora myrrha

Myrrh Resin can be burnt on charcoal discs as a sacred incense. It can also be safely ingested and used on the skin for amazing health benefits.

Myrrh is a resin or sap-like substance, that comes from the Commiphora myrrha tree, common in Africa and the Middle East. It is one of the most widely used resins in the world.

The Myrrh tree is distinctive due to its white flowers and knotted trunk. At times, the tree has very few leaves due to the dry desert conditions where it grows. It can sometimes take on an odd and twisted shape due to the harsh weather and wind.

In order to harvest Myrrh, the tree trunks must be cut into to release the resin. The resin is allowed to dry and begins to look like tears all along the tree trunk. The resin is then collected.

Myrrh has a smoky, sweet or sometimes bitter smell. The word Myrrh comes from the Arabic word ‘murr’, meaning ‘bitter’.

The resin is a yellowish, orange color with a pungent smell. It is commonly used as a base for perfume and other fragrances.

Two primary active compounds are found in Myrrh, Terpenoids and Sesquiterpenes, both of which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Sesquiterpenes specifically also have an effect on our emotional center in the Hypothalamus, helping us remain calm and balanced.

Both of these compounds are under investigation for their anti-cancer and anti-bacterial benefits, as well as other potential therapeutic uses.

Myrrh has been used for thousands of years in traditional healing therapies and religious ceremonies.

Myrrh uses historically include fragrance, embalming, flavoring for food, treating hay fever, as an antiseptic to clean and treat wounds, as a liquid band aid to help stop bleeding.

The Chinese frequently used Myrrh as a medicine and it remains a part of traditional Chinese medicine to this day. The Myrrh use by the Egyptians was for embalming and Jewish people used it to make the holy anointing oil that was used in worship.

The most common historical Myrrh use was to burn the resin over hot coals. This would release a mysterious, spiritual quality into any room before a religious ceremony.

It has also been used in aromatherapy for its meditative quality or for prayer, usually in combination with Frankincense.

The smell of Myrrh has been traditionally thought of as a symbol of suffering, burned at funerals or other solemn events. At times, however, it is blended with Frankincense to help produce a more uplifting aroma. These lighter blends have been used to help promote inspiration and emotional insight.

The resin obtained from the bark of myrrh is a pungent, astringent, aromatic herb that is strongly stimulant, antiseptic and expectorant. It relieves spasms, inflammation and digestive discomfort and encourages healing. It is particularly associated with women's health and purification rituals. The resin is taken internally in the treatment of dyspepsia, bronchial and ear infections, glandular fever, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, gingivitis, menstrual and circulatory problem.

Myrrh is used externally to treat mouth ulcers, wounds and boils and is often added to oral preparations. It is one of the most effective herbal medicines for treating sore throats, mouth ulcers and gingivitis. The mild astringency makes it a useful treatment for acne, boils and mild inflammatory skin problems. The resin is collected from cut branches and dried to a solid, which can be distilled for oil, ground into a powder for tablets or dissolved in tinctures. An essential oil obtained from the resin is used by aromatherapists as a natural antiseptic for treating skin and mouth problems.

A fragrant, balsam-like gum oleo-resin is obtained from wounds in the bark of the stems. It is used for flavouring beverages, baked goods, sweets, desserts and chewing gum.