Commiphora abyssinica

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Commiphora abyssinica

• Andrew Turple

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Taxonomy
Commiphora abyssinica comes from the family
Burseraceae Its commonly called Myrrh.
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What is Myrrh?
Myrrh is a red-brown resinous material, the dried
sap of the tree Commiphora abyssinica, native to
Somalia and the eastern parts of Ethiopia. The
sap of a number of other Commiphora and
Balsamodendron species are also known as myrrh.
Grows no more than 9 feet in height, has a
sturdy build, with knotted branches.
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History
Myrrh is native to Ethiopia and was brought to
the Mediterranean region from the Ethiopian
coast. The resins were collected, much like
gums, by scoring the shrubs that produced them
and collecting the exudate.
The value of the Myrrh resin and the Frankincense
resin in the early Egyptian, Greek, and, Roman
times (often worth more than its weight in gold.
In Ancient Rome myrrh was priced at five times as
much as frankincense, though the Frankincense was
far more popular) is underscored by the biblical
story of the wise men who presented these two
resins, along with gold, to the infant Jesus.
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Uses
Incense When burned, it produces a smoke that is
heavy, bitter and somewhat phenolic in scent,
which may be tinged with a slight vanillic
sweetness.
Early Egyptians used Myrrh in the body cavity or
for anointing the head of the deceased. Once
coffins began to be used in the third Egyptian
dynasty (2770-2670 B.C.) resins, were used to
varnish the coffins.
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Medicines
Benefits So strong are the antimicrobial effects
of myrrh that the ancient Egyptians relied on
this plant for the process of embalming and
mummification. Myrrh's bitter-tasting sap oozes
in tear like drops when the tree's bark is cut.
Myrrh stimulates circulation to mucosal tissues,
especially in the bronchial tract, throat,
tonsils, and gums. It is an anti-inflammatory, an
antioxidant, and antimicrobial, making it ideal
for painful or swollen tissues. It is useful for
bleeding gums, gingivitis, tonsillitis, sore
throat (including strep throat), and bronchitis.
The increased blood supply helps fight infection
and speed healing when you have a cold,
congestion, or infection of the throat or mouth.
Myrrh is also valued as an expectorant, which
means it promotes the expulsion of mucus in cases
of bronchitis and lung congestion.
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More Medicinal Uses
Myrrh also may promote menstrual flow and is
recommended when menstruation is accompanied by a
heavy sensation in the pelvis. In China, myrrh is
considered a "blood mover." It may alleviate
menstrual cramps.
In western pharmacy this herb is a powerful
antiseptic and is a strong cleaning and healing
agent, soothing the body and speeding the healing
process. It is most often used in mouthwashes,
gargles and tooth pastes for fighting and
preventing gum disease. Myrrh is currently used
in some liniments, healing salves that may be
applied to abrasions and other minor skin
ailments.
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References

• http//health.howstuffworks.com/myrrh-herbal-remed
  ies.htm
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Myrrh