Myrrh Other Names: Bal, Bdellium, Bol, Commiphora molmol, Commiphora myrrha, Guggal Resin, Gum Myrrh, Heerabol,

Mo Yao, Opopanax Who is this for? Uses Although it has had a number of medicinal uses throughout recorded history, myrrh is now found most often in mouthwashes to soothe mouth and throat irritations. In addition to relieving inflammation, using myrrh as a mouthwash also is thought to improve bad breath. As a mouth rinse, myrrh is approved for treating mouth inflammation by the German Commission E, the German governmental agency that evaluates the safety and effectiveness of herbal products. Undiluted myrrh tincture can also be applied directly to sores inside the mouth. Occasionally, diluted myrrh tincture is used as a wash to treat hemorrhoids or as a douche to relieve vaginal irritation. Currently, myrrh is rarely taken by mouth for medicinal purposes, but it is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a flavoring, fragrance, or stabilizing ingredient in beverages, cosmetics, drugs, and foods. Myrrh Other Names: Bal, Bdellium, Bol, Commiphora molmol, Commiphora myrrha, Guggal Resin, Gum Myrrh, Heerabol, Mo Yao, Opopanax When should I be careful taking it? If it is taken orally, myrrh has been shown to tighten the muscles of the uterus and promote menstrual blood flow. Because these actions could cause a miscarriage, pregnant women should avoid taking myrrh by mouth. The effects of topical myrrh on a developing fetus are unknown, therefore the use of myrrh as a mouthwash is also not advised during pregnancy. Some evidence from animal studies and human case studies suggests that oral myrrh may lower blood sugar levels. Also, when large amounts (2,000 mg to 4,000 mg) of myrrh are taken by mouth, the heart rate may be affected. Because of these findings, individuals with diabetes or heart conditions should not take myrrh orally. Using myrrh as a mouthwash is thought not to affect diabetes or heart conditions, but these effects have not been studied. If you have diabetes or heart conditions, discuss the use of myrrh with your doctor or pharmacist before you begin to use it. Precautions Very little information is available on how myrrh might affect an infant or a small child. Therefore, its use is not recommended in any dosage form when breast-feeding or during early childhood.

Myrrh Other Names: Bal, Bdellium, Bol, Commiphora molmol, Commiphora myrrha, Guggal Resin, Gum Myrrh, Heerabol, Mo Yao, Opopanax What side effects should I watch for? Major Side Effects Oral doses of 2,000 mg to 4,000 mg (2 grams to 4 grams) of myrrh have resulted in:

Diarrhea Heart rate changes Kidney irritation

Less Severe Side Effects When it is applied to the skin, myrrh occasionally may cause an allergic reaction that may include an itchy rash. In addition, some evidence suggests that frequent applications of myrrh to the same area of skin can eventually be irritating. Myrrh Other Names: Bal, Bdellium, Bol, Commiphora molmol, Commiphora myrrha, Guggal Resin, Gum Myrrh, Heerabol, Mo Yao, Opopanax What interactions should I watch for? Interactions with drugs, other herbal products, or foods have not been reported with topical application of myrrh. Because it may have an effect on blood sugar, taking myrrh by mouth may interfere with the effectiveness of medications used for the treatment of diabetes. Myrrh applied to the skin or used as mouthwash is not thought to affect blood sugar. However, if you are taking medications for diabetes, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using any form of myrrh. Some interactions between herbal products and medications can be more severe than others. The best way for you to avoid harmful interactions is to tell your doctor and/or pharmacist what medications you are currently taking, including any over-the-counter products, vitamins, and herbals. For specific information on how myrrh interacts with drugs, other herbals, and foods and the severity of those interactions, please use our Drug Interactions Checker to check for possible interactions. Myrrh Other Names: Bal, Bdellium, Bol, Commiphora molmol, Commiphora myrrha, Guggal Resin, Gum Myrrh, Heerabol, Mo Yao, Opopanax Should I take it?

Myrrh is the hardened sap that oozes from specific types of trees native to desert areas of northern Africa and the Middle East. Collected as a thick, yellow liquid from natural cracks or cuts in the tree bark, myrrh dries into amber-colored lumps. For use as medicine, myrrh lumps are usually powdered and then dissolved in alcohol to form a tincture (a mild liquid preparation) for use on the skin or in the mouth. Valued as a fragrance as well as a medicinal agent by the early Egyptians and the ancient Chinese, myrrh was well-known and used extensively during Biblical times. At various periods in history, it was used in foods and drinks as a flavoring agent, in perfumes and other cosmetics as a fragrance, in incense as a part of religious ceremonies, and in embalming as a preservative. Medicinally, myrrh was taken orally to treat arthritis, digestive complaints and respiratory infections. It was also taken to treat infectious conditions such as leprosy and syphilis. Topically, myrrh was also applied to bacterial and fungal skin infections. While it may be slightly effective for some of these conditions, no well-controlled studies have been conducted to document its benefit in any of them. Dosage and Administration Taking myrrh by mouth is not recommended. For a mouthwash, a typical dose is 5 to 10 drops (approximately one-sixteenth to oneeighth of a teaspoon) of myrrh tincture added to about 8 ounces of water. Ordinarily, other herbal ingredients such as clove, eucalyptus, peppermint, rosemary, or sage are added to commercially available myrrh products. The herbal mixture may be gargled or used as a mouth rinse. It is not recommended that myrrh be swallowed following use as a gargle or mouth rinse because Full-strength myrrh tincture can also be applied to sore gums, lips, or mouth tissue up to three times a day. Diluted myrrh tincture is also available commercially and can be used as a skin wash or a vaginal douche. Amounts to use vary. If you decide to use myrrh in one of these ways, follow the directions on the package you purchase. Summary Myrrh is used mainly for mouth and throat irritation either as a mouthwash or as a tincture applied directly to the sore area. Risks Taking myrrh by mouth is not recommended. Due to stimulating effects on the uterus and menstrual flow, myrrh should not be taken orally by women who are pregnant Small children and breast-feeding women should also avoid its use. Myrrh taken orally may also interfere with blood sugar levels and heart rate, so individuals with diabetes or heart conditions should not take it by mouth.

Side Effects While topical myrrh appears to cause few side effects, oral doses of 2,000 mg to 4,000 mg (2 grams to 4 grams) have resulted in kidney irritation and heart rate changes, both of which resolved after individuals stopped taking myrrh. Cases of allergic rashes have been reported from the topical use of myrrh. Interactions Taking myrrh by mouth, which is not recommended, may interfere with medications for diabetes. References Al-Awadi FM, Gumaa KA. Studies on the activity of individual plants of an antidiabetic plant mixture. Acta Diabetologica Latina. 1987;24(1):37-41. Al-Rowais NA. Herbal medicine in the treatment of diabetes mellitus. Saudi Medical Journal 2002;23(11):1327-1331. Anon: Myrrh. In: DerMarderosian A, Beutler JA, eds. Facts and Comparisons: The Review of Natural Products. St. Louis, MO, Facts and Comparisons. February 1994. Blumenthal M, Gruenwald J, Hall T, Rister RS, eds. The Complete German Commission E Monographs. Austin, Texas: American Botanical Council; 1998. Dolara P, Corte B, Ghelardini C, et al. Local anaesthetic, antibacterial and antifungal properties of sesquiterpenes from myrrh. Planta Medica. 2000;66(4):356-358. El Ashry ES, Rashed N, Salama OM, Saleh A. Components, therapeutic value and uses of myrrh. Pharmazie. 2003;58(3):163-168. Haughton C. Commiphora molmol (Engl.). Revised September 23, 2002. Available at: http://www.purplesage.org.uk/profiles/myrrh.htm. Accessed March 28, 2003. HealthNotes, Inc. Myrrh. 2002. Available at: http://www.mycustompak.com/healthNotes/Herb/Myrrh.htm Accessed March 28, 2003. Hoffmann DL. Myrrh. Herbal Materia Medica. No date given. Available at: http://www.healthy.net/asp/templates/article.asp?PageType=article&ID=1547. Accessed April 22, 2003. Jellin JM, Gregory P, Batz F, Hitchens K, et al, eds. Pharmacist's Letter/Prescriber's Letter. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, 3rd Edition. Stockton CA: Therapeutic Research Facility, 2000. Lee TY, Lam TH. Allergic contact dermatitis due to a Chinese orthopaedic solution tieh ta yao gin. Contact Dermatitis. 1993;28(2):89-90.

Massoud A, El Sisi S, Salama O, Massoud A. Preliminary study of therapeutic efficacy of a new fasciolicidal drug derived from Commiphora molmol (myrrh). American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene. 2001;65(2):96-99.