Ode to Myrrh

Myrrh is one of the oldest and most revered resins and aromatic medicines of all time.  It is mentioned in Ebers Papyrus in 2000 BC, and is currently still a very valuable medicine!  

This is all information learned in my Aromatherapy Practitioner course by the inimitable Jeanne Rose.  This is an answer from one of the course questions.

Myrrh (commiphora molmol - Burseraceae family) - Commiphora has many different species and generally it grows in Africa especially around the Ethiopian regions.  The tree is punctured and the "tears" of resin come out.  These little resin balls are used in incense and is one of the oldest medicines dating as far back as 4500 BC!!  It can be distilled for the essential oil and is commonly now found CO2 extracted.  It is a deep rich amber brown, very viscous extract, it is not clear, and has a smoky, herbaceous, woody odor with an intensity of about 6 on a scale up to 10.  Although mostly sesquiterpenes, it also contains the alcohol Bisabolol, that can be detected as a powdery back note.  The sesquiterpenes are responsible for Myrrh's anti-viral properties and the Bilsabolol for its anti-inflammatory action.  It is also indicated for hyperthyroidism & as a sexual sedative (anaphrodisiac) by inhalation.  Jeanne also says it cools the emotions upon inhalation, we can certainly attest to this.  The resinous nature plus the powerful chemical make up have proven to give Myrrh the job of fixative in the perfumery world.  This means it will "hold" the scent and be the last scent left when the others have volatilized.  It sticks, literally!!  We read in Jeanne's books that Myrrh could be used for mouth pain and sore throats, so one day we put a PIN sized drop in our tea.  Our mouth and throat was numb for 2 hours!  It tasted hot and bitter.

Myrrh CO2 from Somalia is currently found in our Egyptian Body Nectar, our body creme for Winter 2014.

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