Myrrh - Commiphora myrrha - India

Family: Burseraceae

Origin: India

Extraction: Distilled from dried resin

Volatility: Base note

Colour: Reddish amber viscous liquid

Aroma: Heavy, smoky, drying, slightly bitter

Noted Constituents

Sesquiterpenes (55-75%) – lindestrene (20-30%), elemene (6-8%), bourolene (4-5%)

Furanoids (20-27%)

Ketones (15-20%) – curzenone (8-11%)

Monoterpenes (4-6%) – ocimene (2-3%), p-cymene (1-2%)

Carboxylic Acids (1-2%) – acetic, formic palmetic

Cautions / Safety Data

Avoid use during pregnancy. May irritate skin. Do not use on the skin full strength. Always dilute in appropriate carriers before use.  Not for internal use.  If pregnant or suffering from serious medical conditions, consult a qualified health professional, experienced in the use of essential oils.

Useful Information

This oil is best known for its healing properties in cases of wounds and tissue damage.  It’s reputation for this was noted in ancient Greece with Galen and his successful treatments of Gladiators for their wounds.  In fact, all Gladiators carried a pouch of myrrh paste into battle with them.