What Is Myrrh Gum?

Description

• Myrrh gum comes from members of the Commiphora tree species. Sweet myrrh -- the first gum resin to be harvested -- is used for incense and perfumes. Herabol myrrh is employed for both fragrance and medicinal purposes. The gum is simply the dried sap from the small trees. Harvesters often wound myrrh trees to make them "weep," which is why myrrh gum is sometimes known as "tears." Colors range from gold to brown, with an earthy, pine-like scent. The resin usually comes in small chunks, often resembling dried fruit in size and texture.

History

• The use of myrrh extends thousands of years into the past. The precious gums were considered currency, as valuable as gold. The UCLA Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library notes that myrrh's name derives from murr or maror, the Hebrew word for bitter. Ancient documents point to a region called Punt as the main source of myrrh. The area is believed to be somewhere in modern-day Somalia or Ethiopia, but historians say it could also have been in Oman, Yemen, Eritrea or Southern Arabia. Once camels became an established and reliable form of spice trade circa 1200 B.C., the Arabians sold incense ingredients such as myrrh to the Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. The Egyptians also valued myrrh gum as one of their favored embalming ingredients, both as a preservative and to scent the tomb.

Fragrance Uses

• Powdered and whole myrrh gum is a reliable fixative for potpourri and sachets. Essential oil derived from the gum acts as a scent fixative in modern-day perfumes and colognes, including Calvin Klein's Obsession for Men and Yves Saint Laurent's Opium. Incense sticks often contain powdered myrrh gum, but places of worship and other devotees of myrrh incense often place whole pieces of the gum in special resin burners, which slowly heat the resin pieces, releasing their fragrance.

Medicinal and Cosmetic Uses

• Two derivatives of myrrh gum -- powdered myrrh and myrrh essential oil -- each boast uses as topical medicine and as beauty aids. Herbalist Dina Falconi recommends utilizing myrrh powder's antimicrobial properties for anti-pimple masks and face scrubs, as well as for preparations to treat wounds, athlete's foot and cold sores. Although it is an ancient resin, myrrh's antiseptic continues to be studied for its potential to treat wounds and dental problems.