Myrrh

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Myrrh (Commiphora molmol, C. myrrha, C. abyssinica)

Myrrh is a gummy resin harvested from shrubby trees that are native to eastern Africa and the Middle East. A light yellow color when it oozes from the cut stems or incisions in the tree's bark, myrrh darkens upon drying. The dried resin is then crushed into a powder or dissolved in liquid. Myrrh has been a component of incenses, perfumes, insect repellents, and herbal remedies since biblical times. The Egyptians also used myrrh to help preserve their mummies.

Traditional uses

Myrrh has traditionally been applied topically or used as a mouthwash to treat various types of mouth and gum ailments, including sore gums, bad breath, and canker sores. Herbalists have also used myrrh in formulas for laryngitis, coughs and colds, respiratory and sinus congestion, and sore throats. Chinese herbalists have used myrrh to promote the healing and relieve the pain of wounds, arthritis, tumors, bedsores, sore muscles, and skin conditions. Myrrh has a folk reputation as a uterine stimulant and women have been known to use it to promote menstruation or alleviate menstrual pain. Some herbalists have recommended myrrh as a digestive tonic to promote appetite or expel gas from the intestinal tract.

Modern uses

Studies have begun to confirm that myrrh has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that make it useful against conditions such as canker sores, sore throat, and gum disease. In addition some evidence suggests heart-protective properties in myrrh, from reducing blood levels of cholesterol and fats, and anti-cancer effects. Myrrh may also help to prevent or treat:

bad breath	common cold	athlete's foot
herpes	stomach ulcers

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For more information on the features and benefits of the various dosage forms of herbal products (dried herb, extracts, teas, etc.), click here.

Recent findings

Researchers isolated and described seven terpene compounds in scented myrrh (C. guidotti), two of which were new and two others found in a natural source for the first time. The major component, T-cadinol, has previously been shown to be able to relax smooth muscles.

An herbal mixture containing myrrh and extracts from four other plants was found to have a blood glucose lowering effect. According to Kuwaiti researchers, the mixture "may prove to be a useful therapeutic agent in the treatment of non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus."

Scientists recently investigated extracts of eleven plants found in Jordan and employed in traditional medicine. When tested on mice, myrrh and three other herbs were shown to have a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory effect against both acute and chronic inflammation.

Researchers in Saudi Arabia determined that myrrh protects mucous membranes in the gastrointestinal tract against ulcers. Myrrh was shown to protect against depletion of stomach wall mucus and against formation of lesions on the stomach wall.

Do scientists know how it works?

Myrrh is an unusual combination of chemical compounds. Technically it is an oleo-gum-resin whose constituents include volatile oils, terpenes, resin acids, mucilages, and tannins. The resin is thought to be the most effective component in killing various microbes, while the tannins may be the astringent agents. Terpene compounds found in myrrh species have been shown to relax smooth muscles, possibly benefiting lung and digestive function.

Types of products

Myrrh is available as a liquid extract, in tea bags, and as an essential oil. It is sometimes included with herbs such as goldenseal in healing salves. Myrrh is also a common ingredient in: mouthwashes, formulas for bad breath and halitosis, and for teeth and gums

Safety

Myrrh is relatively safe and nontoxic for occasional use. Because large doses may stimulate the uterus, pregnant women should not use myrrh. Large doses may also have a laxative effect.

References
al-Harbi, M.M., et al., "Gastric antiulcer and cytoprotective effect of Commiphora molmol in rats," J Ethnopharmacol (1997), 55(2):141-50
Andersson, M., et al., "Minor components with smooth muscle relaxing properties from scented myrrh (Commiphora guidotti)," Planta Med (1997), 63(3):251-54
Atta, A.H, and A. Alkofahi, "Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of some Jordanian medicinal plant extracts," J Ethnopharmacol (1998), 60(2):117-24

Abstracts
al-Harbi MM; Qureshi S; Raza M; Ahmed MM; Afzal M; Shah AH. Gastric antiulcer and cytoprotective effect of Commiphora molmol in rats. J Ethnopharmacol, 55(2):141-50 1997 Jan
Abstract: The aqueous suspension of Commiphora molmol (oleo-gum resin) has been screened for its potential to protect gastric mucosa against the ulcers caused by 80% ethanol, 25% NaCl, 0.2 M NaOH, indomethacin and combined indomethacin-ethanol treatment. C. molmol pretreatment at doses of 250, 500 and 1000 mg/kg provided dose-dependent protection against the ulcerogenic effects of different necrotizing agents used. The effects caused by ethanol were further investigated. Treatment of rats with 1 ml of 80% ethanol was found to cause depletion of stomach wall mucus, reduction in the concentration of protein, nucleic acids and NP-SH groups in the stomach wall. Ethanol treatment also caused histopathological lesions including necrosis, erosion, congestion and haemorrhage of the stomach wall. Pretreatment with C. molmol offered a dose-dependent protection against all these effects. In the same manner it affected the malondialdehyde concentration altered by ethanol treatment. C. molmol also offered protection against mucosal damage caused by indomethacin and its combination with ethanol. The protective effect of C. molmol observed in the present study is attributed to its effect on mucus production, increase in nucleic acid and non-protein sulfhydryl concentration, which appears to be mediated through its free radical-scavenging, thyroid-stimulating and prostaglandin-inducing properties.

Atta AH; Alkofahi A. Anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects of some Jordanian medicinal plant extracts. J Ethnopharmacol, 60(2):117-24 1998 Mar.
Abstract: The anti-nociceptive effect of ethanolic extract of 11 traditionally used Jordanian plants was studied by using the acetic acid-induced writhing and hot-plate test in mice. The anti-inflammatory effect of these plants was determined by xylene-induced ear oedema in mice and cotton pellet granuloma test in rats. Mentha piperita, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Apium graveolens, Eucalyptus camaldulentis, and Ruta graveolens possess an anti-nociceptive effect against both acetic acid-induced writhing and hot plate-induced thermal stimulation. M. piperita, Jasminum officinale, Commiphora molmol, and Beta vulgaris possess an anti-inflammatory effect against acute (xylene-induced ear oedema) and chronic (cotton-pellet granuloma) inflammation. The anti-nociceptive and anti-inflammatory effects were dose dependent. These data affirm the traditional use of some of these plants for painful and inflammatory conditions.

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