Myrrh

Commipfora myrrha (Nees) Engler(opopanax, myrrh)

The exquisite sweetish-balsamic aroma of myrrh with a light spicy, slightly tart tint has long attracted people's attention. The first mention of myrrh was made more than 3,700 years ago in Ancient Egypt. At first, only priests used the resin of the myrrh tree. Plutarch wrote: “... when they see that the midday sun by force carries away abundant and heavy vapors from the earth and mixes them with the air, then they burn myrrh, for the heat disperses and disperses the turbidity and dust that has thickened in the atmosphere.”

Myrrh, or myrrh, also known as commiphora and balsamodendron, belongs to the Burzer family (resinous trees and shrubs). This is a low, gnarled tree with fragrant pubescent leaves, small flowers and fragrant resin flowing from damaged areas on the bark. Gum harvesters specially make cuts in the tree to increase the amount of valuable raw materials.

“The Egyptians call myrrh “bal,” testified Plutarch, “and the translation of this word means “expulsion of excess.” He exclaimed: “Mirra! Its pleasant, refreshing smoke prepares the human body for the bliss of sleep. The failures that haunt him throughout the day will disappear without a trace.” Myrrh was used in compositions that helped cleanse the body and for mummifying the bodies of the dead.

From the 13th century BC. e., when the state monopoly on incense was abolished, myrrh became a favorite perfume and cosmetic product that made it possible to prolong youth. The ancient Jews, Greeks, and Romans knew well the properties of healing resin. Myrrh is mentioned repeatedly in the Bible.

The hardened resin has a bitter taste, which is why the Arabs called itmyrrha, What does "bitter" mean?

Myrrh is part of the myrrh, boiled wood oil with red wine and various incense, which is illuminated on Maundy Thursday to celebrate the sacrament of anointing.

Avicenna described the properties of myrrh in detail: “Myrrh heals ulcers and covers exposed bones with meat; Myrrh with vinegar is used against lichens, and it heals decaying wounds. It prevents decay, so that it even preserves the dead, protects it from change and stench. You rinse your mouth with myrrh, wine and olive oil, and this greatly strengthens the teeth, gives them hardness, prevents them from corroding, and strengthens the gums. A good remedy for chronic, wet cough, asthma, and makes menstruation go away. This is the gum tree of Yemen. Cuts are made on it and the juice is allowed to thicken. If myrrh is mixed with myrtle oil and frankincense, it helps strengthen hair and makes it stronger, thicker, and also reduces traces of ulcers. It gives a pleasant smell to your breath when held in your mouth and eliminates bad breath. Myrrh with wine and alum is smeared on the armpits, and this destroys the bad smell from them.”

Galen said: “The smell of myrrh causes headaches even in healthy people.”

In Chinese medicine, myrrh was used for arthritis, menstrual disorders, ulcers, and hemorrhoids. Western doctors used it to treat leprosy, asthma, colds, and abscesses.

Bitter myrrh is used to obtain myrrh essential oil.Commiphoramyrrha and sweet myrrhCommiphoraerytharaca, or opopanax.

Medicinal properties

1. Used for asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis, tracheitis, hoarseness, loss of voice, sinusitis.
2. Stimulates appetite, regulates the acidity of gastric juice, helps with diarrhea and flatulence.
3. Recommended for fungal infections of the mucous membrane.
4. Strengthens the immune system, promotes rapid recovery.
5. Optimizes peripheral blood flow.
6. Normalizes the menstrual cycle.
7. Eliminates bad breath, inflammation and bleeding gums.
8. An effective wound healing agent, quickly regenerates the skin, promotes the resorption of scars. Prescribed for fungal and pustular skin lesions, allergic, nervous, endocrine and food dermatitis, eczema, skin cracking, tinea pedis.
9. In folk medicine it is known as an anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, expectorant, antimicrobial, astringent, healing, balsamic, carminative, antifungal agent. Used for fungal infections of the vagina, periodontal disease, inflammation of the oral cavity and tongue, thrush, sore throat, hemorrhoids.
10. Calms and tones the nervous system. Effective for insomnia, depression, stress, nervous tension.
11. A good hair care product: helps restore the hair follicle, prevents hair loss and thinning, stimulates hair growth, eliminates dandruff, and is effective for alopecia.
12. Prevents premature aging of the skin, increases turgor, smoothes wrinkles, refreshes, makes the skin velvety.

Dosage

Oil burner: 3-5 k.

Internally: 1 tbsp in a bread capsule 1-2 times a day.

Inhalations: 1-2 k.

Baths: 6-7 k.

Massage: 4-6 k. per 10 ml of transport oil.

Applications: 4-5 parts of myrrh per 10 parts of transport oil (you can add 2-3 parts of orange).

Enrichment of cosmetics: 4-5 k. per 10 g of base.

Contraindications. Individual intolerance, pregnancy.