Myrrh
From www.plantsasmedicine.com
Myrrh is an edible gum oleo resin from trees of the genus Commiphora, especially Commiphora myrrha, from which true myrrh is harvested. Myrhh which is hard, clear, crystalline, and yellow to brown in color is said to be the best. On the outside of myrrh clumps is a dusty powder created by pieces of it rubbing together. Clumps of it may be pea to walnut-sized, and can be shattered into goldish brown glass-like crystals.
Further pulverization results in a light gold brown powder.
Myrrh is extremely bitter when consumed in pure form, so it is thought that the name "myrrh" comes from "murr" in Arabic, which means "bitter."
Myrrh trees are in the Burseraceae family,[1] the same family as Boswellia sacra (frankincense) and many other species of incense trees.
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Trees
Various Commiphora tree species from which various myrrh varieties are harvested:[2]
- Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. (syn. Commiphora myrrha var. molmol Engler),[1] True myrrh, Somalian myrrh
- Commiphora habessinica (O. Berg) Engl. (syn. Commiphora abyssinica Berg (Engler)),[3] Arabian myrrh, Abyssian myrrh
- Commiphora africana (A. Rich) Engl., African bdelium[4]
- Commiphora guidottii Chiov., Sweet myrrh
- Commiphora truncata[4] Engl.[5]
Uses
Myrrh is known to have been used as incense for over 5000 years. It is most often burned or vaporized by putting it onto burning charcoal. Myrrh can also be heated to form vapor without burning.
One of the major uses of myrrh has been in treating wounds. Myrrh has antiseptic, astringent, pain-killing (analgesic) and anti-inflammatory properties. Soldiers in Ancient Greece took myrrh poultice with them into battle to treat their scrapes and wounds.[6] Myrrh can be used to treat deep wounds that need to be flushed out. It can also be used to treat gangrene.[7]
The the analgesic effects of myrrh have been found in the laboratory to originate from chemical compounds such as furanoeudesma-1,3-diene and curzarene.[8]
Since it is a gum oleo resin, corresponding parts of it are soluble in water, oils and ethanol.
Myrrh is used to treat arthritis because of myrrh's pain-killing and anti-inflammatory properties. This is somewhat analogous to frankincense's much greater use in treating arthritis.
Myrrh has a spicy smell and is used as a spice in some places. Crushed myrrh can be added to wine, dissolved, and then strained before consumption.
Myrrh has antiseptic properties. A tincture (ethyl alcohol extract) is used with water for mouthwash and myrrh is used in toothpaste. Myrrh may have anti-cancer properties.
Myrrh is burned both indoors and outdoors to repel insects and snakes.[9] Ancient Egyptians burned myrrh in their homes to get rid of fleas and to cover up unpleasant smells.[10]
Myrrh is used in some medicinal Swedish bitters containing drinking alcohol. [11]
Gallery
 Myrrh from Kenya |
 Myrrh from Kenya |
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Commiphora myrrha information from NPGS/GRIN (www.ars-grin.gov)
- ↑ L.O. Hanus, T. Rezanka, V.M. Dembitsky, A. Moussaieff. Myrrh Commiphora -- Chemistry, Biomed Papers 149(1), 3–8 (2005), pp. 3–4. Exists free online.
- ↑ Commiphora habessinica information from NPGS/GRIN (www.ars-grin.gov)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 www.fao.org
- ↑ Commiphora truncata zipcodezoo.com
- ↑ Commiphora myrrha Species Information (www.worldagroforestrycentre.org)
- ↑ Myrrh The Thomsonian System Of Medicine (chestofbooks.com)
- ↑ Medicinal Myrrh (www.archaeology.org)
- ↑ Myrrh (www.ics.trieste.it)
- ↑ History of Myrrh (www.herballegacy.com)
- ↑ The Medicine Woman’s Roots » Therapeutics and Nutrition (bearmedicineherbals.com)
External Links
- Myrrh (www.fineareprints.com)
- Incense (zebra.sc.edu)
- Frankincense and Myrrh History (wysinger.homestead.com)
- Myrhh (www.archaeology.org)
- Myrrh (www.ics.trieste.it)
- Medicinal Myrrh (www.herballegacy.com)
- Myrrh Manual-Pharmacology -- Has Free Illustration (chestofbooks.com)
- Myrrh The Thomsonian System Of Medicine (chestofbooks.com)
- Opponax and Myrrh (www.cropwatch.org)
- History of Myrrh and Frankincense (www.itmonline.org)
- Commiphora africana (www.metafro.be)
- Myrrh Pharmacology PDF
- Botanical.com - A Modern Herbal Myrrh (www.botanical.com)
- Myrrh (www.herbs2000.com)
- Myrrh in Greek Mythology (www.theoi.com)
- Commiphora wightii Free Pic
