Myrrh

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

For another plant called myrrh see cicely; for the record label see Myrrh Records.

Commiphora myrrha tree, one of the primary trees from which myrrh is harvested.

Myrrh is a common resin in the Horn of Africa.

An essential oil extracted from myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)

Myrrh (/mr/; from Aramaic, but see Etymology) is a natural gum or resin extracted from a
number of small, thorny tree species of the genus Commiphora.[1] Myrrh resin has been used
throughout history as a perfume, incense, and medicine. Myrrh mixed with wine can also be
ingested.

Contents
[hide]

1Extraction and production

2Etymology
3Attributed medicinal properties
o 3.1Medicine
o 3.2Traditional Chinese medicine
o 3.3Ayurvedic medicine
4Religious ritual
o 4.1In Ancient Egypt and Punt
o 4.2In the Hebrew Bible
o 4.3In ancient Nabataea
o 4.4In the New Testament
o 4.5In contemporary Christianity
o 4.6In Islam
5Ancient myrrh
6See also
7References
8Further reading
9External links

Extraction and production[edit]

When a tree wound penetrates through the bark and into the sapwood, the tree bleeds a resin.
Myrrh gum, like frankincense, is such a resin. When people harvest myrrh, they wound the trees
repeatedly to bleed them of the gum. Myrrh gum is waxy and coagulates quickly. After the harvest,
the gum becomes hard and glossy. The gum is yellowish and may be either clear or opaque. It
darkens deeply as it ages, and white streaks emerge.[2]
Myrrh gum is commonly harvested from the species Commiphora myrrha. Another commonly used
name, Commiphora molmol,[3] is now considered a synonym of Commiphora myrrha.[4]
Commiphora myrrha is native to parts of Saudi Arabia, Oman, Yemen, Somalia, Eritrea and
eastern Ethiopia. Meetiga, the trade-name of Arabian Myrrh, is more brittle and gummy than the
Somalian variety and does not have the latter's white markings.
The oleo gum resins of a number of other Commiphora species are also used as perfumes,
medicines (such as aromatic wound dressings), and incense ingredients. These myrrh-like resins
are known as opopanax, balsam, bdellium, guggulbisabol, and Indian myrrh.
Fragrant "myrrh beads" are made from the crushed seeds of Detarium microcarpum, an unrelated
West African tree. These beads are traditionally worn by married women in Mali as multiple strands
around the hips.
The name "myrrh" is also applied to the potherb Myrrhis odorata, otherwise known as "cicely" or
"sweet cicely".
Liquid myrrh, or stacte, written about by Pliny, was an ingredient of Jewish holy incense, and was
formerly greatly valued but cannot now be identified in today's markets.

Etymology[edit]
The word "myrrh" corresponds with a common Semitic root meaning "bitter," as
in Aramaic murr, and Arabic murr. Its name entered the English language from
the Hebrew Bible, where it is called mor, , and later as a Semitic loanword[5] was used in
the Greek myth of Myrrha, and later in the Septuagint; in the Greek language, the related word
(mron) became a general term for perfume.

Attributed medicinal properties[edit]

Commiphora gileadensis (listed as "Balsamodendron ehrenbergianum"

Medicine[edit]
In pharmacy, myrrh is used as an antiseptic in mouthwashes, gargles, and toothpastes.[6] Myrrh is
currently used in some linaments and healing salves that may be applied to abrasions and other
minor skin ailments. Myrrh has also been recommended as an analgesic for toothaches and can be
used in linament for bruises, aches, and sprains.[7]
Myrrh is a common ingredient of tooth powders. Myrrh and borax in tincture can be used as a
mouth-wash. A compound tincture, or horse tincture, using myrrh is used in veterinary practice for
healing wounds.
Myrrh gum is used for indigestion, ulcers, colds, cough, asthma, lung congestion, arthritis pain, and
cancer.[8]
Traditional Chinese medicine[edit]
In traditional Chinese medicine, myrrh is classified as bitter and spicy, with a neutral temperature. It
is said to have special efficacy on the heart, liver, and spleen meridians as well as "blood-moving"
powers to purge stagnant blood from the uterus. It is therefore recommended for rheumatic, arthritic,
and circulatory problems, and for amenorrhea, dysmenorrhea,menopause, and uterine tumours.
Myrrh's uses are similar to those of frankincense, with which it is often combined
in decoctions, linaments and incense. When used in concert, myrrh is "blood-moving" while
frankincense moves the Qi, making it more useful for arthritic conditions.
It is combined with such herbs as notoginseng, safflower petals, angelica sinensis, cinnamon,
and salvia miltiorrhiza, usually in alcohol, and used both internally and externally.[9]
Ayurvedic medicine[edit]
Myrrh is used in Ayurveda and Unani medicine, which ascribe tonic and rejuvenative properties to
the resin. It (daindhava) is used in many specially processedrasayana formulas in Ayurveda.
However, non-rasayana myrrh is contraindicated when kidney dysfunction or stomach pain is
apparent or for women who are pregnant or have excessive uterine bleeding.
A related species, called guggul in Ayurvedic medicine, is considered one of the best substances for
the treatment of circulatory problems, nervous system disorders and rheumatic complaints.[10][11]

Religious ritual[edit]
In Ancient Egypt and Punt[edit]
The 5th dynasty ruler of Egypt King Sahure recorded the earliest attested expedition to the land of
Punt, which brought back large quantities of myrrh, malachite andelectrum. Sahure is shown
celebrating the success of this venture in a relief from his mortuary temple which shows him tending
a myrrh tree in the garden of his palace named "Sahure's splendor soars up to heaven". This relief is
the only one in Egyptian art depicting a king gardening.[12]. Myrrh was used by the ancient Egyptians,
along with natron, for the embalming of mummies.[13]
In the Hebrew Bible[edit]
Myrrh is mentioned as a rare perfume with intoxicating[citation needed] qualities in several places in
the Hebrew Bible. In Genesis 37:25 the Ishmaelite traders to whomJacob's sons sold Joseph their
brother had "camels ... loaded with spices, balm and myrrh" and Exodus 30:23-25 specifies that
Moses was to use 500 shekels of liquid myrrh as a core ingredient of the sacred anointing oil.
Myrrh was an ingredient of Ketoret, the consecrated incense used in the First and Second
Temples at Jerusalem, as described in the Hebrew Bible and Talmud. An offering was made of
the Ketoret on a special incense altar and was an important component of the Temple service. Myrrh
is also listed as an ingredient in the holy anointing oil used to anoint the Tabernacle, high priests and
kings.
Oil of myrrh is used in Esther 2:12 in a purification ritual for the new queen to King Ahasuerus:
Now when every maid's turn was come to go in to king Ahasuerus, after that she had been
twelve months, according to the manner of the women, (for so were the days of their
purifications accomplished, to wit, six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with sweet
odours, and with other things for the purifying of the women)
In ancient Nabataea[edit]
Myrrh was recorded in the 1rst century BC by Diodorus Siculus to have been traded overland
and by Sea via Nabatean caravans and sea ports, which transported it from indigenous
Ethiopian sources in Southern Arabia to their capital city of Petra, from which it was distributed
throughout the Mediterranean region.[14].
In the New Testament[edit]
Myrrh is mentioned in the New Testament as one of the three gifts
(alongside gold and frankincense) that the magi "from the East" presented to the Christ
Child(Matthew 2:11). Myrrh was also present at Jesus's death and burial. Jesus was offered
wine and myrrh before the crucifixion (Mark 15:23). According to John's
Gospel, Nicodemus and Joseph of Arimathea brought a 100-pound mixture of myrrh and aloes
to wrap Jesus' body (John 19:39). The Gospel of Matthew relates that as Jesus went to the
cross, he was given vinegar to drink mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he
would not drink (Matthew 27:34); the Gospel of Mark describes the drink as wine mingled with
myrrh (Mark 15:23).
In contemporary Christianity[edit]
Because of its mention in the New Testament, myrrh is an incense offered during some
Christian liturgical celebrations (see Thurible). Liquid myrrh is sometimes added to egg tempera
in the making of icons. Myrrh is mixed with frankincense and sometimes more scents and is
used in almost every service of the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, traditional Roman
Catholic and Anglican/Episcopal Churches.
Myrrh is also used to prepare the sacramental chrism used by many churches of both Eastern
and Western rites. In the Middle East, the Eastern Orthodox Churchtraditionally uses oil scented
with myrrh (and other fragrances) to perform the sacrament of chrismation, which is commonly
referred to as "receiving the Chrism".
In Islam[edit]
According to the Encyclopedia of Islamic Herbal Medicine, "The Messenger of Allah stated,
'Fumigate your houses with al-shih, murr, and sa'tar.'" The author claims that this use of the
word "murr" refers specifically to Commiphora myrrha.[15]

Ancient myrrh[edit]
Modern myrrh has long been commented on as coming from a different source to that held in
high regard by the ancients, having been superior in some way.Pedanius Dioscorides described
the myrrh of the first century AD as most likely to refer to a "species of mimosa", describing
it "like the Egyptian thorn". He describes its appearance and leaf structure as "pinnate-winged".
The ancient type of myrrh conjectured was noted for possessing a far more delightful odor than
the modern. It was noted in 1837 that "The time, perhaps, is not far distant, when, through the
spirit of research, the true myrrh-tree will be found".[16]

See also[edit]
Bdellium
Chrism
Frankincense
Naturalis Historia
Pliny the Elder

References[edit]
1. Jump up^ Rice, Patty C., Amber: Golden Gem of the Ages, Author House, Bloomington, 2006
p.321
2. Jump up^ Caspar Neumann, William Lewis, The chemical works of Caspar Neumann, M.D.,2nd
Ed., Vol 3, London, 1773 p.55
3. Jump up^ Newnes, G., ed., Chambers's encyclopdia, Volume 9, 1959
4. Jump up^ The Plant List. 2013. Version 1.1. Published on the
Internet:http://www.theplantlist.org/. Accessed on February 24, 2014.
5. Jump up^ Klein, Ernest, A Comprehensive Etymological Dictionary of the Hebrew Language for
Readers of English, The University of Haifa, Carta, Jerusalem, p.380
6. Jump up^ "Species Information". www.worldagroforestrycentre.org. Archived from the original on
2011-09-30. Retrieved 2009-01-15.
7. Jump up^ "ICS-UNIDO MAPs". www.ics.trieste.it. Retrieved 2009-01-16.
8. Jump up^ Al Faraj, S (2005). "Antagonism of the anticoagulant effect of warfarin caused by the
use of Commiphora molmol as a herbal medication: A case report". Annals of tropical medicine
and parasitology. 99 (2): 21920.doi:10.1179/136485905X17434. PMID 15814041.
 9. Jump up^ Michael Tierra. "The Emmenagogues"
10. Jump up^ Michael Moore Materia Medica
11. Jump up^ Alan Tillotson "Myrrh"
12. Jump up^ S.Wachsmann, (2008) "Seagoing Ships & Seamanship in the Bronze Age Levant" -
Page 19
13. Jump up^ Fritze, Ronald H. "New worlds: The great voyages of discovery 1400-1600". Sutton
Publishing Limited, 2002, p. 25.
14. Jump up^ J. W. Eadie, J. P. Oleson (1986) "The Water-Supply Systems of Nabatean and
Roman umayma", Bulletin of the American Schools of Oriental Research
15. Jump up^ Morrow, Joh A. "Encyclopedia of Islamic Herbal Medicine". Jefferson, N.C.:
McFarland, 2011, p. 145.
16. Jump up^ The visitor or monthly instructor. Religious Tract Society. 1837. pp. 35. Retrieved 9
May 2013.

Further reading[edit]
Massoud A, El Sisi S, Salama O, Massoud A (2001). "fasciolicidal". Am J Trop Med
Hyg. 65 (2): 9699. PMID 11508399.
Dalby, Andrew (2000). Dangerous Tastes: the story of spices. London: British Museum
Press. ISBN 0-7141-2720-5. (US ISBN 0-520-22789-1), pp. 107122.
Dalby, Andrew (2003). Food in the ancient world from A to Z. London, New York:
Routledge. ISBN 0-415-23259-7., pp. 226227, with additions
Monfieur Pomet (1709). "Abyssine Myrrh)". History of Drugs. Abyssine Myrrh
The One Earth Herbal Sourcebook: Everything You Need to Know About Chinese, Western,
and Ayurvedic Herbal Treatments by Ph.D., A.H.G., D.Ay, Alan Keith Tillotson, O.M.D.,
L.Ac., Nai-shing Hu Tillotson, and M.D., Robert Abel Jr.
Abdul-Ghani, RA; Loutfy, N; Hassan, A (2009). "Myrrh and trematodoses in Egypt: An
overview of safety, efficacy and effectiveness profiles". Parasitology international. 58 (3):
2104. doi:10.1016/j.parint.2009.04.006. PMID 19446652. ( A good review on its
antiparasitic activities) .

External links[edit]
History of Myrrh and Frankincense (www.itmonline.org)
Myrrh article by James A. Duke (www.herbcompanion.com)