Myrrh Oil
Proven health benefits of myrrh oil:
- Treats oral infections.
- Kills harmful bacteria.
- Relieves pain and reduces inflammation.
- Improves skin appearance.
- Improves digestion.
- Treats cancer.
- Reliefs cough, respiratory congestion, and colds.
What is myrrh oil?
Myrrh oil is derived from resin secretions of the (Commiphora myrrha) plant, a thorny shrub characterized by rugged branches and a few leaves. It is native to Somalia, Yemen, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Oman. The harvested gum is yellowish and deepens with age. The gum is then steam distilled to produce myrrh oil.1
Myrrh oil has an earthy sweet aroma making it a crucial ingredient in promoting spiritual feelings when used in mindfulness practices such as yoga and the making of incense. Other names for myrrh are; African myrrh, gum myrrh, Yemen myrrh, Bol, Abyssinian myrrh, common myrrh.2
What is myrrh oil useful for?
Myrrh oil has been in use for centuries. In Biblical times, myrrh was burned together with frankincense as incense. In Egypt, it was used in embalming mummies by killing bacteria and microbes. In traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic medicine, myrrh oil was used to reduce stress, improve strength, flexibility, and stamina.3
Myrrh oil is used to kill bacteria due to its antimicrobial properties, treat oral infections and inflammation, heal wounds, improve skin health, and relieve pain. Myrrh oil can be applied directly on the skin, used as a mouth wash, or inhaled to soothe emotions. Myrrh oil is used for its flavor and as a fixative in the cosmetic industry in food and beverages.4Health Benefits:
- Treats cancer by reducing cancerous cells' proliferation and replicating breast, gynecological, and skin cancerous cells.
- Treats oral infections such as gingivitis and mouth sores when used in mouth wash due to its antimicrobial properties.
- Relieves back, joint, and headache pain by blocking the production of inflammatory chemicals responsible for pain and swelling.
- Relieves digestive problems such as indigestion, diarrhea, and inflammatory bowel illness due to its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant properties.
- Improves skin appearance by reducing the oxidative damage caused by free radicals, which contributes to premature aging.
- Treatment of fungal infections such as candida and athlete's foot because of its antifungal properties.
- Kills bacteria by stimulating the immune system to produce white blood cells, myrrh also directly kills bacteria.
Nutrition
Myrrh contains:
- Furanoeudesma-,3-diene 34.9%
- Lindestrene 12.9%
- Curzerene 8.5%
- Germacrome 5.8%
Toxicity:
Avoid myrrh oil use when pregnant as it may trigger miscarriage, if you have diabetes as it may lower blood sugar level and when using blood-thinning drugs.