Myrrh is a sap-like substance that is produced by cutting open a myrrh tree to allow the resin to come out. It is also known for its binomial name Commiphora myrrha. It is distinct for its white flowers and a knotted trunk which takes an odd, twisted shape often caused by extremely harsh weather and wind. Myrrh trees are often found in Africa and the Middle East.
Myrrh Essential Oil is expressed from a resin harvested from the myrrh tree. It passes through the process of steam distillation to produce its organic by-product that has various medicinal properties often used for therapeutic purposes. This oil has a smoky sweet aroma, appears to be yellowish to orange in color and has a viscous consistency.
Benefits of Myrrh Essential Oil
Myrrh Essential Oil has a lot of benefits and here are to name some of them:
- Strengthens the immune system making the body less susceptible to infections
- Aids in the prevention of various mouth and gum infections
- Promotes proper digestion and helps cure various gastrointestinal problems
- Helps relieve congestion and a potent phlegm expectorant
- Aids in fast wound healing and prevents further wound infection
- Has calming effects that helps improve one’s mood
- Helps treat various skin problems and can facilitate lightening of scars and dark spots
Myrrh Essential Oil Uses
- Myrrh Essential Oil as Antispasmodic: This oil brings great relief from unwanted muscular contractions like cramps, muscle aches and is also known to reduce muscle pain.
- Myrrh Essential Oil as Anti-inflammatory: It has various chemical properties that reduce inflammation with various tissues in the digestive, circulatory and other body systems.
- Myrrh Essential Oil as Antiseptic: With the presence of an antiseptic substance, this oil can help prevent further wound infections and can somehow protect the body from acquiring tetanus infection.
- Myrrh Essential Oil as a Tonic: This oil is a known tonic, which helps strengthen the body and tones the bodily systems thus increasing one’s immunity. It also protects the body from premature aging.
- Myrrh Essential Oil as Diaphoretic: This oil has certain chemical properties that aid in the stimulation of sweat glands to increase sweat production thus eliminating excessive salt, water and other harmful toxins in the body.
- Myrrh Essential Oil as Anti-catarrhal: It has chemical properties that aid the respiratory tract to expel excess mucus, phlegm, and any associated mucus deposition including cough, congestion and other breathing problems.
- Myrrh Essential Oil as Antimicrobial: This type of essential oil has both antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help prevent further growth of microbes that may cause severe infections.
- Myrrh Essential Oil as Astringent: Its astringent property aids in strengthening the gums, muscles, intestines and more. It also has clotting factors that stop heavy bleeding.
- Myrrh Essential Oil as Stimulant: This type of essential oil is a potent stimulant that aids in the proper function of various body systems like the cardiovascular system, digestive system, excretory, and other systems in the body.
- Myrrh Essential Oil as Carminative: Due to the presence of carminative properties, this oil aids to prevent gas formation in the intestines and helps in driving out excess gas to provide relief from colic.
Side Effects of Myrrh Essential Oil
Myrrh Essential Oil, having its therapeutic properties, has also been proven to have various side effects that should be taken with precautions. It is still best to consult a medical practitioner before consumption or use.
The following are the noted side effects of Myrrh Essential Oil:
- Gastrointestinal Tract. Ingestion of Myrrh Essential Oil can cause stomach upset leading to diarrhea. This oil may also cause dehydration for rare cases of gastrointestinal upset like chronic diarrhea.
- Pregnancy and Lactation. The use of Myrrh Essential Oil by pregnant women is strictly prohibited. It is known to induce uterine contractions that may lead to severe bleeding and possible miscarriage. It is also advised that nursing mothers should be cautious and consult a medical practitioner first before use.
- Patients with Diabetes. It has the tendency to lower down the blood sugar levels that may interfere the effects of the usual medications that treats diabetes.
- Due to its potent effect to lower blood sugar levels, it is advised that patients who will undergo various types of surgery must not use this oil at least 2 weeks before the procedure.
- People with highly sensitive skin should carefully check if it is advisable to apply myrrh essential oils on the skin. This may cause contact dermatitis, skin inflammation, irritation and other related skin issues.
- Myrrh Essential Oil is known to affect the cardiovascular system by causing some heart irregularities and can lower the blood pressure if taken with excessive amounts.
How to Use Myrrh Essential Oil
Myrrh Essential Oil has a lot of therapeutic benefits and can be used through the following methods:
- For Aromatherapy. Myrrh Essential Oil is known to have an aromatic scent that helps improve one’s mood and helps cure some respiratory ailments. It is utilized with the use of a diffuser or via steam inhalation by adding few drops of this oil to release its therapeutic effects.
- For Topical Application. This oil can be directly applied to the affected area or can be instilled with a cold compress to aid instant relief from inflammation, reduce swelling and its other therapeutic benefits.
- For Oral Administration. Myrrh Essential Oil, given with the right amount, can be taken internally to promote tissue repair, healing from various ailments and prevents further infection.
How to Make Myrrh Essential Oil
Myrrh Essential Oil is pressed out from myrrh resin produced by puncturing the myrrh tree allowing the sap to dry and thus collected for oil production. The resin goes through the process of steam distillation to acquire its organic by-product.
Myrrh Essential Oil Recipe
Thinking of making your own version of Myrrh Essential Oil? Here are some easy steps to make your own essential oil at home:
- Prepare the needed materials along with the ingredients: Myrrh Resin, Olive Oil or any carrier oil of your choice, Glass vial and a Mason jar.
- Put a cup of the carrier oil of your choice in a saucepan along with at least 7g of myrrh resin.
- Allow the mixture to sit for about six hours and occasionally stir it under low heat.
- Put the oil mixture in a mason jar and expose it in a place having direct contact to sunlight for up to two weeks.
- Observe the presence of residues in the mixture.
- Remove the residue by using a clean cloth to filter the oil.
- Pour the filtered myrrh oil in a glass vial for proper storage and safekeeping.
Where to Buy Myrrh Essential Oil
Myrrh Essential Oil is available for consumption and purchase in many parts of the world. You can pay a visit to the nearest organic stall or health shops and check its availability. This oil is also posted on online markets for easy access, just type and click on the web and you can immediately purchase this essential oil delivered at your convenience.
Suggested brands of Myrrh Essential Oils are as follows: doTERRA, Esoteric Oils, Young Living and more.
More information on Myrrh Essential Oil
- Myrrh Essential Oil, if applied directly to the skin, must be mixed with other carrier agents like jojoba, almond or grapeseed oil before its actual use. It can also be mixed with other emollients like unscented lotions to prevent skin irritation due to direct skin contact of the unmixed organic substance.
- Itl can be blended with any variety of citrus oils. This can help increase the production of a suitable aroma that uplifts your mood.
- This oil has been used in various purposes in olden times. It is usually incorporated in food for flavoring, used in embalming the dead, treats hay fever and is used in ceremonial practices as an incense.
- It can also be beneficial to both men and women for hygienic use. Due to its soothing properties, this oil can be used in shaving thus reducing the cause of skin irritation.
- This oil is also observed to help soften nail cuticles and has a potent agent to help smoothen callouses and dry feet.
- To check for possible allergic reactions for topical use, you can apply a tiny amount of this oil on a small area of your skin and test for itchiness or redness noted on the exposed skin.
- People who have maintenance medications like anticoagulants (ex. Warfarin) or antidiabetic medications, should take precaution in using this oil because it may cause various drug interactions that may interfere with the effects of the given medications.
- Myrrh Essential Oil is a known emmenagogue, which helps regulate menstruation and provides fast relief from its associated symptoms.
