Myrrh

Botanical Name:                  Commiphora myrrha
Synonym:                             Nil
Botanical Family:                 Burseraceae
Country of Origin:                North Africa, Asia, Somalia, Middle East
Plant Part:                            Resin from stem & shoots
Extraction Method:              Distillation
Characteristics:                   warm, rich, spicy, gum like
Properties:                             
Antiseptic, antimicrobe, antiphlogistic, astringent, balsamic, deodorant, carminative, disinfectant, diuretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, fungicide, stimulant, stomachic, sudorific, tonic, uterine, vulnerary
Chemical Constituents:       
Myrrholic, cinnamic, cuminic, eugenol, cadinene, pinene, dipentene, heerabolene, limonene        
 
Indications:
 
Mind & Spirit:                                   
 
	
Relieves stress
	
Grounding, warming
	
Lifts feelings of apathy and lack of motivation.
 
Body:             
           
	
Excellent for healing skin, sores, weeping wounds and eczema
	
Great for mature skin as an anti-wrinkle
	
Relieves poor circulation, arthritis and chest or nasal congestion
	
Treats mouth ulcers, gingivitis, bad breath and spongy gums
	
Treats bronchitis, sore throats, coughs, pharyngitis, catarrh and glandula fever. 
 
Contraindications:                Nil – best avoided during pregnancy
Note:                                      Base
Odour Intensity:                    Un-referred
Blends well with:                  Clove, frankincense, lavender, patchouli, sandalwood
 
Traditions:                 
Myrrh was much prized by the ancient civilisations.  It was used for incense, embalming, perfume, religious ceremonies and medicinally to treat wounds and chest complaints.  Was also one of the gifts given to the infant Jesus.  The Egyptians combined it with Coriander and Honey as an ointment to treat herpes.  They also burned it as part of their sun-worshipping ritual at noon every day.