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Myrrh Herb - Uses And Side Effects

Myrrh is a mixture of volatile oil, gum, and resin (oleo-gum-resin) from Commiphora molmol and other Commiphora species. These shrubs, members of the bursera family (Burseraceae), are native to Ethiopia, Somalia, and the Arabian Peninsula.

The Federal Register has recommended against recognizing myrrh tincture as safe and effective. If you see myrrh in a product promoted as an oral health aid, consider it mislabeled.

The bushes yielding the resin do not grow more than 9 feet in height, but they are of sturdy build, with knotted branches, and branchlets that stand out at right-angles, ending in a sharp spine. The trifoliate leaves are scanty, small and very unequal, oval and entire. It was first recognized about 1822 at Ghizan on the Red Sea coast, a district so bare and dry that it is called 'Tehama,' meaning 'hell.'

From reading the Bible you can see that Myrrh has been used since ancient times, it was one of the gifts presented to the infant Jesus by the Three Wise Men.

Common doses of Myrrh

Myrrh is available as:

• capsules (525 and 650 milligrams
• salves
• mouthwash
• tinctures
• fluid extracts.

Some experts recommend the following doses:

• As a tea, 1 to 2 teaspoons of resin in 1 cup of boiling water. Let steep for 10 to 15 minutes. Drink three times daily.
• As a tincture, dissolve resin in alcohol. As needed, apply 1 to 4 milliliters externally three times daily.

Uses of Myrrh herb

Myrrh is a powerful antiseptic, being a remedy second only to echinacea. It is a strong cleaning and healing agent, soothing the body and speeding the healing process. It is often used with goldenseal. It is often used in mouthwashes, gargles, and toothpastes for fighting and preventing gum disease. Specifically, myrrh may help to :-

• Abrasions
• Bedsores
• Gingivitis (gum disease)
• Hemorrhoids
• HIV and AIDS
• Infections
• Mouth sores
• Respiratory congestion
• Sore throat
• Wounds

The essential oil is used in aromatherapy to treat digestive upsets, and is diluted to use as an antiseptic mouthwash or gargle. Pregnant women should not use myrrh oil.

Side effects of Myrrh

Call your health care practitioner if you experience any of these possible side effects of myrrh:

• diarrhea
• restlessness
• hiccups
• skin inflammation.

Interactions

Combining herbs with certain drugs may alter their action or produce unwanted side effects. Tell your health care practitioner about any prescription or nonprescription drugs you're taking, especially:

• insulin
• oral drugs that lower blood sugar (such as Amaryl, DiaBeta, Diabinese, Glucophage, Glucotrol, Precose, and ReZulin).

Important paints to remember

• Don't use myrrh if you're pregnant or breast-feeding.

What the research shows

With little available information on myrrh's effects on people, medical experts don't recommend using it medicinally. To evaluate the herb's potential in treating HIV infection as well as use of a related plant, Commiphora mukul, against diabetes, researchers must conduct thorough clinical studies

Other names for Myrrh

Other names for myrrh include African myrrh, Arabian myrrh, bal, bol, bola, gum myrrh, heerabol, Somali myrrh, and Yemen myrrh.

Products containing myrrh are sold under such names as Astring-O-Sol, Myrrh Gum, and Odara. Myrrh also comes in combination products with goldenseal.