Myrrh - Commiphora Myrrha

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Myrrh --Commiphora myrrha, Balsamodendron myrrha; (Burseraceae)

 

 

Dr. Christopher commended Myrrh as an agent which stimulates the flow of blood

through the capillaries, increasing the circulation up to four times the

original number of white corpuscles, and quickening the heart action.

 

He said that it helps the mucous membranes in the broncho-pulmonary tract

eliminate poisons, while helping to avoid the build-up of mucus. He used it for

an excellent internal tonic for any diseases in which mucous surfaces, such as

spongy gums, relaxed throat, ulcerated sore throat, ulcers, etc., as well as

being good as an external antiseptic for wounds, lessening the possibility of

inflammation and accelerating the healing action.

 

BIBLICAL HERB

One Biblical translation renders this “beautifying”, thus implying that Myrrh

was also employed as a cosmetic.

However the purification, though perhaps intended to be spiritual, might well

have been accomplished physically too by the antiseptic Myrrh.

 

Chinese usage corroborates this, as Myrrh is used in herbal liniments to

strengthen women who are prone to rheumatic illness due to the monthly loss of

blood and the rigors of childbearing (Luc:73).

 

It is asserted by many authorities that the “wine mingled with Myrrh” of the

Gospel of Mark is not to be taken as referring to any actual use of the Myrrh

plant. However, Myrrh was considered to be the ultimate wine preserver in the

ancient world. In other words, it kept it from going sour like vinegar (Hei:

139).

 

The best Myrrh is said to come from Somaliland and is bought at the fairs of

Berbera by the Banians of India, shipped to Bombay, and there sorted, the best

coming to Europe and the worst being sent to China. The true Myrrh is known in

the markets as karam, formerly called Turkey Myrrh. .

 

HEALING GUM-RESIN

 

Myrrh is famous for its external applications, but internally it can also be a

great healer. In small doses it quickens the appetite and digestion. It is

useful in atonic dyspepsia with flatulence, mucus evacuations, constipation and

associated nervous disorders.

 

A small teaspoon each of powdered Myrrh and golden seal to a pint of boiling

water with a little ginger added will be found useful to a weak stomach where

the food is prone to ferment (Luc: Nature’s:74).

 

It is excellent to allay chronic diarrhea.

 

The gum is also useful internally as an expectorant, and has been commonly

administered to patients suffering from chest problems in order to stimulate

mucus secretions and promote their drainage (Weiner: 138).

 

Where low blood sugar is a problem, Myrrh can replace golden seal in herb

preparations (Rit:63).

 

Mixed with cayenne, it is a powerful stimulant in cases of shock, prostration

and collapse (Beth: 131).

 

It is also good to treat internal ulcers.

 

Myrrh is a famed external remedy.

 

It is a wonderful agent for any kind of dental problems.

 

It has been used in the United States, Canada, and Great Britain in dental

clinics to strengthen gums, whiten teeth, and generally prevent serious

periodontal diseases,

such as gingivitis or bleeding gums, inflammation, loose teeth, and plaque

buildup, from occurring when possible.

 

One herbalist simply mixes Myrrh with golden seal and brushes his teeth with it.

He comments that though this may seem strange to use for preventative health

care, it is more strange to use toothpastes which have sugar added (Neb: 118).

 

A tincture of Myrrh makes an excellent mouthwash good for spongy gums, pyorrhea,

sore throats, and other ailments requiring an astringent (Tie: 105).

This use of Myrrh to heal spongy gums and mouth ulcers, especially in children,

is based on the known presence of astringent tannins in the Myrrh.

 

Dr. Christopher recommended using the diluted tincture, or mixing the tincture

with red-raspberry leaf tea for these purposes. For a sore throat or ulceration

of the tongue, mouth or throat, you can spray the diluted tincture on the

affected part.

 

For irritation following dental work, a mouthwash of Myrrh, or an application to

the affected part of Myrrh paste is said to quickly alleviate the problem

(Bricklin:239).

 

To relieve the pain of a cold sore, try a little tincture of Myrrh (Ibid. 104).

 

Myrrh has also been used in problems of the reproductive organs.

 

Myrrh has been taken to stimulate the menstrual flow or to bring it on, even

when the patient had never menstruated.

It was often combined with aloes for the laxative properties (Weiner: 139).

Myrrh has been said to relieve too profuse a flow of menstruation as well as

scanty flow, and to help clear up leucorrhea (whites).

 

It can be used as a douche. For cases of hemorrhoids, it can also be used as an

herbal injection. Applied to fresh wounds, the tincture of Myrrh excites healing

action and lessens the liability to inflammation or suppuration.

It is good for sore nipples. We have applied the powder to the umbilical stump

of a newborn, keeping it covered with a loose piece of gauze. We did not let the

diapers touch this application, but every diaper change, we added a little bit

of Myrrh and changed the gauze if needed. The stump fell off in just a few days,

and the healing was complete. We felt that, especially since the Christ child

received Myrrh at his birth, this was anespecially appropriate application of

Myrrh.

 

One herbalist has a favorite application of Myrrh. He combines equal parts of

finely powdered golden seal and powdered Myrrh gum. He mixes a pinch of the

combination with a little saliva (or water, he says, if you are squeamish), and

applies the paste to cuts, sores, pimples, abrasions--any kind of skin wounds.

As this dries, it forms a crusty, protective scab over the wound, just like a

real scab, but with the additional antiseptic and healing properties of the

herbs. He says that he has been able to wean himself from the constant use of

band-aids (Neb:l18)! The compound tincture is used in veterinary practice to

treat the wounds of cattle and horses. It has also been used as a vermifuge.

 

After a vapor bath, when the patient is rubbed dry, washing the surface with a

partially diluted tincture of Myrrh protects him against cold, and strengthens

and improves the condition of the skin. This is especially useful in cases where

the skin is relaxed and the patient feeble, such as chronic bronchitis, chronic

pleurisy, asthma, chronic rheumatism, etc.

 

(Cly:99). The herb has been scientifically proven to be an antiseptic.

 

Three different kinds of bacteria culture were deliberately streaked across a

flat, clear glass dish to form a star, staphylococcus aureas ,e coli and B.

subtillis.

 

After an incubation of 24 hours at 37 degrees centigrade, two of the three

bacteria failed to grow in the vicinity of the Myrrh. As a former Harvard

pathologist who witnessed these experiments for himself said, “The result was

clear cut--Myrrh acts as a bacteriostatic against Staphylococcus aureas and

other gram-positive bacteria” (Hei: 139).

 

In India, Myrrh is used as a rare and costly product, often adulterated with

Indian Myrrh, so often called false Myrrh.

 

It is good mixed with rose water, honey, and spirits for a mouthwash and for

stomatitis.

 

It is useful alone in dyspepsia, and mixed with molasses or vegetable bitters it

is given in amenorrhea, chlorosis, and other uterine affections, and as a

stimulating expectorant.

 

Externally, Myrrh is used as an astringent for ulcerated conditions and spongy

gums. Dissolved in human or ass milk it is dropped into the eye to cure purulent

opthalmia.

 

It is used to prevent hair loss (IMM:170-1).

 

In China, it is used to treat wounds and ulcers, and is thought to be especially

useful in uterine discharges and purulent lochia (Shi:62). It is also used as a

mouthwash and as a treatment for sore mouth and throat (Luc:Secrets:66).

 

Tierra mentions that other gums from conifers such as pine and fir have similar

properties; an elderly healer he knows in Northern California is highly regarded

for her ability to cure arthritis, skin diseases and indigestion using resins

from the local trees (Tie: 106).

 

The herb can cause some internal discomfort if overdosed, including nausea,

diarrhea, vomiting, etc., but it is not a dangerous herb. One man points out

that if the herb were vaporized and aspirated, there could be some problem, but

this is not a likely situation (Spoerke:127).

 

HISTORICAL USES

 

Used to stimulate blood flow, quickening heart action, for mucous membranes, to

eliminate poison, to avoid mucus build-up, as a tonic for mucous surfaces,

spongy gums, to relax throat and for ulcers, as an antiseptic, anciently for

embalming and mummification, used as a holy oil,, in cosmetics, to expel

menstrual periods and afterbirth,

for infections, to quicken the appetite and digestion, for mucous evacuations

and for constipation, for chronic diarrhea, chest problems, internal ulcers,

dental problems, as a mouthwash, for cold sores,

for cuts, sores and pimples, for ulcerated conditions, for purulent opthalmia

and as a hair loss preventative.

 

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DietaryTipsForHBP

http://www.geocities.com/mrsjoguest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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