Myrrh Oil

Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) is collected from the stems of bushy shrubs found growing in Arabia and Somalia. A granular secretion exits the stem through natural fissures, or cuts, as a pale yellow liquid. It then hardens to a reddish-brown mass. It can be found in different sizes in marketplace of the Middle East, most pieces being the size of large marbles or walnuts.

Myrrh is an antiseptic, an astringent, and a stimulant, and has other medicinal properties as well. As one of the best antiseptics known, it is commonly applied to disinfect wounds. In fact, Jethro Kloss, a famous herbalist, left the legacy of the Kloss liniment. He recommended putting 2 ounces of gum myrrh into a quart of rubbing alcohol along with 1 ounce of golden seal root and one half ounce of cayenne pepper and letting it stand for a week or ten days, shaking it every day, and then straining prior to use. This liniment is healing to open wounds, cuts, scratches, bruises, sprains, and any purpose for which liniment is normally required.

In Arabia today, myrrh is used by women after the delivery of a baby. The new mother sits for about fifteen minutes in a myrrh/salt water bath. Myrrh is also flammable and may be used as an incense.