A resin or sap-like substance known as myrrh is produced by the Commiphora myrrha tree, which is commonly found in Africa and the Middle East. Nowadays it is one of the most popular essential oils worldwide. In this article we will examine the amazing benefits of myrrh essential oil and its use in spirituality.
Myrrh trees are carefully cultivated along the Nile River to produce myrrh oil, which is produced in Egypt. The earthy perfume of this oil still aids in mental clarity and increased awareness, thus it is still employed in many modern meditation techniques. It is frequently found in moisturisers, lotions, and creams and has several skincare advantages.
The best way to capture the “essence” of the plant and let its advantages stand out is through its extraction technique.
History of Myrrh Essential Oil
Myrrh had a significant importance in the Bible and one of the three presents given to baby Jesus. It was actually mentioned 152 times in the Bible. Moreover, people would use it to purify the deceased and as a spice and natural medicine.
The oil is very famous for its spiritual and therapeutic properties; tribes in Somalia even risk their lives by climbing hazardous slopes to obtain a few kilogrammes of this amazing plant.
It has been used in incense sticks for their aroma and in traditional Chinese medicine to treat a variety of medical ailments. Myrrh, which is a sap-like material (myrrh resin) and is bitter to the taste buds, derives from the Arabic word murr, which means bitter.
Benefits Of Myrrh Essential Oil
1. Relieves Pain
Compounds in myrrh oil interact with opioid receptors to signal the brain that you are not in pain. Moreover, myrrh suppresses the synthesis of inflammatory molecules that can cause pain and swelling.
As a potent extract, myrrh oil helps reduce discomfort. Research has demonstrated that the resin inhibits neurotransmitters, making it a natural analgesic. Myrrh oil can help with headaches and tension for greater focus throughout the day when used properly.
Throughout a six-month trial, headache sufferers who took a multi-ingredient supplement containing myrrh’s pain-relieving chemicals had a reduction in headache discomfort of almost two-thirds.
2. Promotes Wound Healing
Myrrh oil not only reduces pain but also speeds up the healing process. The effect of myrrh on WBC (white blood cells) levels before and after healing from skin injury was investigated in 2010 to establish this feature. Myrrh oil increased the level of WBC and leukocytes, according to the study.
3. Improves Oral Health
People have long been using myrrh to cure inflammation and mouth infections because of its antibacterial qualities. The FDA (Food & Drug Administration) has approved the flavouring myrrh oil, which is found in several natural mouthwashes and toothpaste.
Furthermore, after using a myrrh mouthwash four times per day for a week to treat severe mouth sores, people with Behcet’s disease—an inflammatory disorder—experienced total pain alleviation in 50% of cases and full mouth sore healing in 19% of cases.
In order to determine the impact of myrrh on wound healing following a tooth extraction, a randomised controlled experiment was done. Researchers discovered that myrrh-flavoured mouthwash accelerated the healing of tooth wounds.
4. Anticancer Activity
Myrrh also offers potential anticancer advantages, according to a lab research. The scientists discovered that myrrh could stop human cancer cells from multiplying or proliferating. They discovered that myrrh prevented the formation of eight different cancer cell types, particularly gynaecological malignancies. Although more investigation needs to pinpoint the precise application of myrrh for cancer treatment, this preliminary research is encouraging.
5. Anti-parasitic Activity
Myrrh has been used in the development of a drug to treat fascioliasis, a parasitic worm infection that affects people all over the world. Typically, eating plants and aquatic algae will spread this parasite. The number of parasite eggs discovered in the faeces also decreased as a result of the myrrh-based medication’s ability to reduce illness symptoms.
Women who didn’t respond to the conventional prescription treatment for trichomoniasis were given the oral medication Mirazid, which is made of myrrh sap and its essential oil, in a pilot research study. Almost 85% of them had their infection treated.
6. Antioxidant Activity
Myrrh is a substance that fights oxidative damage and potentially act as a potent antioxidant. Free radical oxidative damage accelerates ageing and several diseases.
In a test-tube investigation, myrrh oil outperformed vitamin E, a potent antioxidant, at combating free radicals.
Myrrh Essential Oil and Spirituality
Myrrh’s scent, which has a hazy resin-like quality, is beneficially inhaled in ritualistic and meditative settings to evoke a sense of spirituality. According to prophets, the scent opens the root, sacral, and solar plexus chakras. It is thought that the opening of these three chakras will allow access to spirituality.
Uses of Myrrh Essential Oil
Essential oil therapy, or the use of oils for their therapeutic properties, has been practised for a very long time. Every essential oil has a different set of advantages and you can use as an alternative treatment for a number of illnesses.
Aromatherapy
When you want to create a certain ambience, you can buy an essential oil diffuser to utilise throughout the house. Inhale the steam by adding a few drops to boiling water. If you’re sick, you can inhale myrrh oil to help with the symptoms of bronchitis, colds, or coughs.
Apply it to the Skin
Before applying myrrh to the skin, it is advisable to combine it with carrier oils like jojoba, almond, or grapeseed oil. You can also use it straight to the skin after blend it with an unscented lotion. It is excellent for anti-ageing, skin renewal, and wound healing because of its antioxidant characteristics.
Cold Compress
Myrrh oil provides a wide range of medicinal benefits. To provide relief, mix a few drops with a cold compress and place it over any infected or swollen region. It has antibacterial and antifungal properties and lessens inflammation and swelling.
Side Effects
Those with sensitive skin should take precautions because the topical application is one of the most popular uses for myrrh oil. To make sure you won’t experience an adverse response, always test a small portion of the product before using it all over your body.
- Myrrh may result in diarrhoea and upset stomach when consumed internally. Chronic diarrhoea can cause dehydration even though it is often not dangerous, so avoid using it if you are having digestive issues.
- Pregnant women should avoid myrrh, since it may make uterine contractions stronger.
- Heart abnormalities and reduced blood pressure are two additional possible negative effects of myrrh, though these are typically only felt at high doses of more than two to four grams per day. Before using myrrh oil, anyone with a heart-related illness should consult a doctor.
- Myrrh may drop blood sugar, so people with diabetes or other blood sugar disorders shouldn’t consume it. You should avoid using it at least two weeks prior to surgery because it interacts with blood glucose and is not good for those having surgery.
Final Thoughts
Myrrh oil has a nice, cosy, and earthy aroma, along with potential health advantages. If you wish to try myrrh oil, you can diffuse it to get the scent or apply it to your skin after diluting it in a carrier oil. Also, you can purchase items that include myrrh oil, such as lotions and mouthwash. Myrrh oil is extremely potent, just like other essential oils, so you only need a few drops at a time.
To learn more about the benefits of myrrh essential oil you can check this article, Healthline, and WebMD. You can also check Aromavibes for a wide range of essential oils!