Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) Research

Latin Name: Commiphora myrrha

Family: Burseraceae

Myrrh has long been used as a medicinal plant well documented in Chinese medicine, ancient Roman texts, and used in Biblical times.  It is an oleo gum resin

RESEARCH

The listings of research below represent a compilation of scientific articles found on the species, with a very brief overview description of each article/study. Research found is catalogued by therapeutic action. This categorized compilation of research articles does not necessarily imply that there are adequate results to demonstrate safe and/or effective human use.

GENERAL

• This review cites antitumor, immunomodulating, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antimicrobial, antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and anti-ulcer studies of myrrh.  It further discusses Unanai physician uses backed up by modern research.  From:  Fahad, T., & Shameem, I. (2018). PHYTOCHEMICAL AND THERAPEUTIC POTENTIALS OF MURR MAKKI (COMMIPHORA MYRRHA): A REVIEW. INDIAN JOURNAL OF APPLIED RESEARCH, 8(9).
• Plants of the genus: Commiphora and their traditional and pharmacological uses are reviewed.  From:  Shen, T., Li, G. H., Wang, X. N., & Lou, H. X. (2012). The genus Commiphora: a review of its traditional uses, phytochemistry and pharmacology. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 142(2), 319-330.
• A detailed review of research and ethnobotanical uses of myrrh is provided. Scientific studies demonstrated lipid lowering, cardiac improving, antioxidant, anti-cancer, antimicrobial, anti-ulcer, and anti-parasitic actions. From:  Soni, P. D., Upadhyay, S. U., & Upadhyay, U. M. (2013). A REVIEW ON COMMIPHORA MYYRHA. Pharma Science Monitor, 4(3).
• El Ashry, E. S. H., Rashed, N., Salama, O. M., & Saleh, A. (2003). Components, therapeutic value and uses of myrrh. Die Pharmazie-An International Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 58(3), 163-168.
• WebMD (n.d.).  Myrrh.  Retrieved in December, 2016.  Retrieved from www.webmd.com
• Tisserand, R. & Young, R. (2014).  Essential Oil Safety.  Second Edition.  Churchill, Livingstone, Elsevier.

SAFETY

• Contraindicated during pregnancy, lactation, and heavy menstruation (WebMD, n.d.)
• Potential fetotoxic constituents include beta elemene and furanodene (Tisserand & Young, 2014).
• Contraindicated with fever (WebMD, n.d.)
• Contraindicated with systemic inflammation (WebMD, n.d.)
• Avoid with heart conditions, may affect heart rate (WebMD, n.d.)
• May interfere with Warfarin medications that slow blood clotting (WebMD, n.d.)
• May affect blood glucose levels.  Avoid with surgery. May interfere with diabetic medications. (WebMD, n.d.)

ANTIMICROBIAL / ANTIBACTERIAL / ANTIFUNGAL

• Myrrh was just as antibacterial as marketing antibiotics against pathogenic strains of pathogenic strains of Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Candida albicans.  From:  Shaik, J., Vishakha, K., & Ramyasree, D. (2015). Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Commiphora myrrha against antibiotic resistant clinical pathogens. Indian Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Research, 3(3), 7.
• Plant oils of 52 species were tested against key bacteria.  Lemongrass, oregano and bay inhibited all organisms, and rosewood, coriander, palmarosa, tea tree, niaouli, peppermint, spearmint, sage and marjoram inhibited all organisms except P. aeruginosa.  Carrot, patchouli, sandalwood and vetiver inhibited Gram-positive bacteria and C. albicans. Myrrh and cypress inhibited only Gram-positive organisms and mandarin oil inhibited only C. albicans.  From:  Hammer, K. A., Carson, C. F., & Riley, T. V. (1999). Antimicrobial activity of essential oils and other plant extracts. Journal of applied microbiology, 86(6), 985-990.
• The following commercially bought oils showed antimicrobial activity against multiple pathogens:  patchouli (Pogostemon cablin), myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), bergamot (Citrus bergamia), geranium (Geranium maculatum), sandalwood (Santalum album), ylang ylang (Cananga odorata), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia), and lavender (Lavendula officinalis).   From:  Maudsley, F., & Kerr, K. G. (1999). Microbiological safety of essential oils used in complementary therapies and the activity of these compounds against bacterial and fungal pathogens. Supportive care in cancer, 7(2), 100-102.
• Myrrh essential oil and extracts were antimicroibial against multiple strains of the bacteria: S. aureus in vitro.  From: Adam, M. E., & Selim, S. A. (2013). Antimicrobial activity of essential oil and methanol extract from Commiphora molmol (Engl.) resin. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. App. Sci, 2(12), 1-6.
• T-cadinol from myrrh was antibacterial against Staphylococcus aureus and Trichophyton mentagrophytes. From:  Claeson, P., Rådström, P., Sköld, O., Nilsson, Å., & Höglund, S. (1992). Bactericidal effect of the sesquiterpene T‐cadinol on Staphylococcus aureus. Phytotherapy Research, 6(2), 94-98.
• Myrrh showed antioxidant and antimicrobial actions in vitro.  From:  Mohamed, A. A., Ali, S. I., EL-Baz, F. K., Hegazy, A. K., & Kord, M. A. (2014). Chemical composition of essential oil and in vitro antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of crude extracts of Commiphora myrrha resin. Industrial crops and products, 57, 10-16.
• Myrrh gum resin showed antibacterial and antifungal action against tested microbes.  From:  Alhussaini, M. S., Saadabi, A. M., Alghonaim, M. I., & Ibrahim, K. E. (2015). An evaluation of the Antimicrobial activity of Commiphora myrrha Nees (Engl.) oleo-gum resins from Saudi Arabia. Journal of Medical Sciences, 15(4), 198.
• Myrrh extracts were tested against 20 pathogenic fungi and showed antifungal action.  From:  Al-Sabri, A. E., Moslem, M. A., Hadi, S., Yassin, M. A., & Ameen, F. (2015). Antifungal activity of Commiphora myrrha L. against some air fungi. J. Pure and Appl. Microbiol, 8(5), 3951-3955.
• Antimicrobial activity of myrrh against gram negative bacteria was demonstrated in vitro.  From:  Chandrasekharnath, N., Mahlakshmi, Y. V., Jayalakshmi, L., Venkanna, B., & Uma, A. (2013). Screening and isolation of bioactive factors from Commiphora myrrha and evaluation of their antimicrobial activity. International Journal of Engineering Research and Applications, 3(2), 1291-1294.
• Against the oral bacteria: Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, the 13 most effective essential oils were: myrrh, ginger, basil, carrot seed, tea tree, patchouli, ylang ylang, cypress, lemongrass, cinnamon, peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus. From: Park, C., & Yoon, H. (2018). Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil against Oral Strain. International Journal of Clinical Preventive Dentistry, 14(4), 216-221.
• The following plant extracts were tested for their antibacterial effect against common pathogens: Commiphora wightii, Hibiscus cannabinus, Anethum gravelons, Emblica officinalis, Ficus religiosa, Ficus racemosa, Ficus benghalensis, Ficus tisela, Mentha arvensis and Mimusops elengi. From: Nair, R., & CHANDA, S. (2007). Antibacterial activities of some medicinal plants of the western region of India. Turkish Journal of Biology, 31(4), 231-236.

PRESERVATIVE

• Salad treated with a myrrh extract had less bacterial growth.  From:  Boffa, L., Binello, A., Boscaro, V., Gallicchio, M., Amisano, G., Fornasero, S., & Cravotto, G. (2016). Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. extracts: evaluation of antioxidant and antiproliferative activity and their ability to reduce microbial growth on fresh‐cut salad. International journal of food science & technology, 51(3), 625-632.

ANALGESIC

• In a study of 184 volunteers with pain, a supplement containing myrrh taken daily for 20 days had an analgesic effect.  From:  Germano, A., Occhipinti, A., Barbero, F., & Maffei, M. E. (2017). A pilot study on bioactive constituents and analgesic effects of MyrLiq®, a Commiphora myrrha extract with a high furanodiene content. BioMed research international, 2017.

HYPOGLYCEMIC

• An herbal supplement of Terminalia chebula (black myrobalan) fruit extract, Commiphora mukul (mukul myrrh), and Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) oleo-gum-resin was taken daily for three months by women with type two diabetes.  Results showed reduced sugar and lipid levels.  From:  Shokoohi, R., Kianbakht, S., Faramarzi, M., Rahmanian, M., Nabati, F., Mehrzadi, S., & Huseini, H. F. (2017). Effects of an Herbal Combination on Glycemic Control and Lipid Profile in Diabetic Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Evidence-based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 22(4), 798-804.

HYPOLIPIDEMIC

• An herbal supplement of Terminalia chebula (black myrobalan) fruit extract, Commiphora mukul (mukul myrrh), and Commiphora myrrha (myrrh) oleo-gum-resin was taken daily for three months by women with type two diabetes.  Results showed reduced sugar and lipid levels.  From:  Shokoohi, R., Kianbakht, S., Faramarzi, M., Rahmanian, M., Nabati, F., Mehrzadi, S., & Huseini, H. F. (2017). Effects of an Herbal Combination on Glycemic Control and Lipid Profile in Diabetic Women: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial. Journal of Evidence-based Complementary & Alternative Medicine, 22(4), 798-804.

ORAL HEALTH

• In a study with 100 dental student volunteers, an herbal toothpaste containing chamomile, echinacea, sage, rhatany, myrrh and peppermint oil was just as effective as typical commercial toothpaste in oral hygiene measures.  From:  Mitra, D., Shah, S., Shah, R., Rodrigues, S., Pathare, P., & Vijayakar, H. (2015). Evaluation of the Clinical Efficacy of a Herbal Toothpaste in Comparison with a Triclosan Containing Toothpaste in a Population of Dental College Students–A Double-blind Randomized Controlled Trial. Indian Journal of Contemporary Dentistry, 3(2), 67-70.
• Myrrh extracts were just as effective as chlorhexidine against an oral bacteria in vitro.  From:  Anand, S., Rajan, M., Venkateshbabu, N., Kandaswamy, D., Shravya, Y., & Rajeswari, K. (2016). Suppl-1, M2: Evaluation of the Antibacterial Efficacy of Azadirachta Indica, Commiphora Myrrha, Glycyrrhiza Glabra Against Enterococcus Faecalis using Real Time PCR. The open dentistry journal, 10, 160.
• Research was reviewed on the following plants for treating recurrent apthous (mouth) ulcers: Satureja khuzistanica, Aloe vera, Myrrh, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Alchemilla vulgaris, Myrtus communis, Melissa officinalis, Rhizophora mangle, Chamomile, Rosa damascena, Nicotiana tabacum, Punica granatum, Ageratina pichinchensis, Norwegian LongoVital, Lavendula angustifolia oil, and Perilla frutescens oil. From: Heydarpour, F., Abasabadi, M., Shahpiri, Z., Vaziri, S., Nazari, H. A., Najafi, F., … & Farzaei, M. H. (2018). Medicinal plant and their bioactive phytochemicals in the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers: A review of clinical trials. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 12(23), 27.
• Against the oral bacteria: Streptococcus mutans, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Lactobacillus rhamnosus, the 13 most effective essential oils were: myrrh, ginger, basil, carrot seed, tea tree, patchouli, ylang ylang, cypress, lemongrass, cinnamon, peppermint, lavender, and eucalyptus. From: Park, C., & Yoon, H. (2018). Antimicrobial Activity of Essential Oil against Oral Strain. International Journal of Clinical Preventive Dentistry, 14(4), 216-221.
• In a randomized controlled clinical study with 40 patients having moderate or severe periodontitis, an herbal mouthwash was assessed compared to a placebo. Both were taken twice a day for two minutes for 3 months. The herbal mouthwash contained Propolis resin extract, Plantago lanceolata, Salvia officinalis leaves extract, and 1.75% of essential oils (Salvia officinalis, Syzygium aromaticum buds, Mentha piperita leaves, Commiphora myrrha oleoresin and Pistacia lentiscus oleoresin). Results showed the herbal mouthwash reduced bleeding and plaque. From: Sparabombe, S., Monterubbianesi, R., Tosco, V., Orilisi, G., Hosein, A., Ferrante, L., … & Orsini, G. (2019). Efficacy of an all-natural polyherbal mouthwash in patients with periodontitis: a single-blind randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in physiology, 10, 632.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY

• Turmeric, myrrh, and ginkgo extracts were just as effective as aspirin in having an anti-inflammatory action in vitro.  From:  Motar, A. A., Hussein, R. A., & Abdulbary, M. (2017). Anti-inflammatory effect of turmeric plant (Curcuma longa L.) rhizomes and myrrh (Commiphora myrrha L.) gums and ginkgo Ginkgo biloba L. leaves (tablets) extracts. karbala journal of pharmaceutical sciences, (13), 59-69.

ANTI-ULCER

• Aloe and myrrh reduced stomach ulcer symtoms in human patients.  From:  Mansour, G., Ouda, S., Shaker, A., & Abdallah, H. M. (2014). Clinical efficacy of new aloe vera‐and myrrh‐based oral mucoadhesive gels in the management of minor recurrent aphthous stomatitis: a randomized, double‐blind, vehicle‐controlled study. Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine, 43(6), 405-409.
• Myrrh reduced gastric ulcers in rats.  From:  Alfky, N. A., Mustafa, R. A., Header, E. A., El Sawy, N. A., & Al-Kushi, A. G. (2016). Antiulcer Activities of Commiphora molmol (Myrrh) Extract in Male Rats. Open Journal of Gastroenterology, 6(10), 300.  
• Ingested myrrh reduced gastric ulcers by increasing white blood cell counts in vivo.  From:  Haffor, A. S. A. (2010). Effect of myrrh (Commiphora molmol) on leukocyte levels before and during healing from gastric ulcer or skin injury. Journal of immunotoxicology, 7(1), 68-75.
• Research was reviewed on the following plants for treating recurrent apthous (mouth) ulcers: Satureja khuzistanica, Aloe vera, Myrrh, Glycyrrhiza glabra, Alchemilla vulgaris, Myrtus communis, Melissa officinalis, Rhizophora mangle, Chamomile, Rosa damascena, Nicotiana tabacum, Punica granatum, Ageratina pichinchensis, Norwegian LongoVital, Lavendula angustifolia oil, and Perilla frutescens oil. From: Heydarpour, F., Abasabadi, M., Shahpiri, Z., Vaziri, S., Nazari, H. A., Najafi, F., … & Farzaei, M. H. (2018). Medicinal plant and their bioactive phytochemicals in the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcers: A review of clinical trials. Pharmacognosy Reviews, 12(23), 27.

SKIN / WOUND

• In vitro and in vivo studies showed wound healing related to antibacterial action of myrrh essential oil and resin.  From:  Gebrehiwot, M., Asres, K., Bisrat, D., Mazumder, A., Lindemann, P., & Bucar, F. (2016). Effects of Resin and Essential Oil from Commiphora myrrha Engl. on Wound Healing. Ethiopian Pharmaceutical Journal, 32(2), 85-100.
• Topical application of myrrh oil was wound healing to rabbits.  From: Kamil, N. B., & Al-Ghaban, N. M. (2019). Evaluation of effect of local exogenous application of Myrrh oil on healing of wound incisions of facial skin (Histochemical, Histological and Histomorphometrical study in rabbits). Journal of Baghdad College of Dentistry, 31(4).

SMOOTH MUSCLE RELAXANT

• T-cadinol from myrrh was a smooth muscle relaxant on isolated guinea pig ileum and inhibited cholera toxin-induced intestinal hypersecretion in mice.  From:  Claeson, P., Andersson, R., & Samuelsson, G. (1991). T-cadinol: a pharmacologically active constituent of scented myrrh: introductory pharmacological characterization and high field 1H-and 13C-NMR data. Planta medica, 57(04), 352-356.

URINARY SYSTEM

• In a study with 55 women who had continuing urinary tract infections, a combination of Hibiscus extract, vegetable proteases and Commiphora myrrha extract reduce bacteria and infections.  From:  Cai, T., Tiscione, D., Cocci, A., Puglisi, M., Cito, G., Malossini, G., & Palmieri, A. (2018). Hibiscus extract, vegetable proteases and Commiphora myrrha are useful to prevent symptomatic UTI episode in patients affected by recurrent uncomplicated urinary tract infections. Archivio Italiano di Urologia e Andrologia, 90(3), 203-207.

ANTI-CANCER

• Myrrh’s cycloartane triterpenoid showed reduction in prostate cancer cell proliferation in vitro.  From:  Gao, W., Su, X., Dong, X., Chen, Y., Zhou, C., Xin, P., … & Wei, T. (2015). Cycloartan-24-ene-1α, 2α, 3β-triol, a cycloartane-type triterpenoid from the resinous exudates of Commiphora myrrha, induces apoptosis in human prostatic cancer PC-3 cells. Oncology reports, 33(3), 1107-1114.
• Antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-tumor effects of myrrh ingestion were demonstrated in vitro.  From:  Hamad, G. M., Taha, T. H., Alshehri, A., & El‐Deeb, N. M. (2017). Myrrh as a Functional Food with Therapeutic Properties Against Colon Cancer in Traditional Meals. Journal of food processing and preservation, 41(1), e12963.
• Myrrh resin extracts were cytotoxic against gynecologic cancer in vitro.  From:  Su, S., Wang, T., Chen, T., Duan, J. A., Yu, L., & Tang, Y. (2011). Cytotoxicity activity of extracts and compounds from Commiphora myrrha resin against human gynecologic cancer cells. Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, 5(8), 1382-1389.

HEPATOPROTECTIVE

• Myrrh reduced hepatic injury in vivo, similar to fom the effects of hepatitis, and warrants further research.  From:  Ahmad, A., Raish, M., Ganaie, M. A., Ahmad, S. R., Mohsin, K., Al-Jenoobi, F. I., … & Alkharfy, K. M. (2015). Hepatoprotective effect of Commiphora myrrha against d-GalN/LPS-induced hepatic injury in a rat model through attenuation of pro inflammatory cytokines and related genes. Pharmaceutical biology, 53(12), 1759-1767.

SUN SCREEN

• A natural sunscreen blend containing myrrh was effective in vitro.  From:  Chakravarty, N., Kellogg, C., Alvarez, J., Equils, O., & Morgan, M. (2018). UV Protection by Natural Products: C. myrrha Oil Versus Sunscreen. Journal of drugs in dermatology: JDD, 17(8), 905-907.

Compiled by: Kathy Sadowski

Updated: 10/17/22