MYRRH

Description

Commiphora is a small bush that grows in desert regions, especially in Africa and the northeast zone of the Middle East. It grows up to 3 m high and of sturdy build, with knotted branches.

The resin obtained by ducts in the bark, and the tissue between them breaks down, forming large cavities, which, with the remaining ducts, become filled with a granular secretion that is freely discharged when the bark is wounded, or from natural fissures. It flows as a pale-yellow liquid but hardens to a reddish-brown mass.

In ancient time, it was used mixed with honey as a poultice to treat muscular and rheumatic pain.

Part used

This drug is composed by an oleo-gum-resin from the stem. Obtained by cuts on the stem, secreted, harden by the air or produced by spontaneous exudation on the bark surface, in the trunk and branches of the Commiphora molmol Engl. and other Commiphora species.

Indications

• Buccal cavity inflammation: canker sores, gingivitis, pyorrhea, stomatitis, parodontopathy, ulcerous wounds of any etiology; treatment post tooth extraction; candida in the mouth.
• Respiratory disorders: tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis, laryngitis, flu, bronchitis, etc.
• Fungal skin infections: athlete’s foot, eczemas, skin inflammation, skin irritation, burns.
• Digestive disorders: dyspepsia, diarrhea, dysentery, infectious enterocolitis, irritable colon syndrome, flatulence, hemorrhoids, viral hepatitis.
• Hyperthyroidism.

Bibliography

- British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. Vol. I. Bournemouth, Dorset: British Herbal Medical Association, 1990, pp. 86-7.

- Paris, RR; Moyse, M. Précis de Matière Médicale. Tome II. Paris: Masson, 1967, pp. 307-8.

- Peris, JB; Stübing, G; Vanaclocha, B. Fitoterapia Aplicada. Valencia: M.I. Colegio Oficial de Farmacéuticos, 1995, pp. 376-7.

- Van Hellemont, J. Compendium de Phytotherapie. Bruxelles: Association Pharmaceutique Belge, 1986, pp. 60-1.

- Wichtl, M. Herbal Drugs and Phytopharmaceutical. A Handbook for Practice on a Scientific basis. Stuttgart: Medpharm Scientific Publishers, 1994, pp. 345-7.

- Bradley, P.R. (ed.) 1992 Compendio Herbario Británico, Volumen 1 , BHMA, Bournemouth. 

- Gerard, J. 1633 el Herball o el Generall Historie de Plantes, facsímil Edition (1975), publicaciones de Dover, York nueva. 

- Hoffmann, D. 1990 La Nueva Edición Herbaria , Segunda Holística, Elemento, Shaftesbury. 

- Blumenthal (Dir). The Complete German Commission E Monographs. American Botanical Council, Texas, 1998.