What Are the Uses and Health Benefits of Myrrh? (2024)

In 1992, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the safe use of myrrh as a food additive, which is included in its "generally recognized as safe" (GRAS) substances list.

Myrrh has been used as a fragrance and for medicinal purposes since ancient times. It comes from Commiphora trees (Commiphora myrrha, or C. myrrha).

Animal studies suggest it may have health benefits such as anti-inflammatory effects, protection against substances that are hard on the digestive system, antioxidant properties, and stimulation of the thyroid gland.

Studies on humans are very few and limited, however. Of the few studies conducted on humans, some used herbal preparations that included compounds in addition to myrrh, clouding the effects of myrrh alone. More research is needed before it can be determined what, if any, health benefits myrrh provides to humans.

This article will discuss the potential benefits of myrrh, what myrrh is used for, risks and side effects of myrrh, and who should avoid myrrh.

Myrrh Benefits

Some of the proposed beneficial health effects of myrrh include:

• Anti-inflammatory
• Antioxidant
• Antimicrobial
• Neuroprotective
• Antidiabetic
• Analgesic
• Antiparasitic

These benefits are thought to be due to various phytochemicals in myrrh, such as:

• Terpenoids
• Diterpenoids
• Triterpenoids
• Steroids

It is important to note that while myrrh has been used for these purposes, most of the research on health benefits of myrrh comes from animal studies, and there is a lack of scientific evidence to support these claims in humans. More human research is needed to determine if myrrh has health benefits for humans.

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits

Some animal studies suggest that myrrh may help reduce inflammation.

Studies have found myrrh demonstrates anti-inflammatory characteristics by suppressing pro-inflammatory signaling pathways and strengthening anti-inflammatory agents. More in-depth analysis is needed to determine the anti-inflammatory potential of myrrh.

Antioxidant Benefits

The bioactive compounds in myrrh that are found in high quantities (those in the classes diterpenes, sesquiterpenoids, sterols, and triterpenes) can transfer electrons to other compounds and, in turn, make harmful, unstable molecules known as free radicals more stable.

Triterpenes and essential oils found in myrrh and frankincense (Boswellia serrata) were reported to have antioxidant activity in sunflower oil.

Pain Management

A 2017 pilot study with 95 female and 89 male volunteers compared the pain-relieving (analgesic) effects of MyrLiq (a C. myrrha extract characterized by a high content of the bioactive compound furanodienes) vs. a placebo (an inactive substance given to people in a control group in trials).

The MyrLiq tablets were given in either 200 milligrams (mg) or 400 mg strengths. The experimental group received 1 tablet of either 200 mg or 400 mg of MyrLiq for 20 days, while the placebo group was given the same number of tablets that did not contain MyrLiq.

The results found that:

• Headache pain was reduced for both men and women and at the lowest concentration of MyrLiq (200 mg).
• Pain from fever was reduced with 200 mg of MyrLiq in both men and women, with a marked effect in women (it did not lower the fever, but did reduce the side effects of fever, including headache, muscular pain, and dizziness).
  
• MyrLiq had pain-relieving effects on joint pain and muscle aches at a dose of 400 mg.
• MyrLiq had a favorable outcome on lower back pain.
  
• Compared with some of the most frequently used drugs (such as ibuprofen, which is the main ingredient in Advil and Motrin, or acetaminophen, the main ingredient in Tylenol), MyrLiq had similar effects, but required a longer course of treatment (20 days).
  

Arthritis and Inflammatory Pain-Related Conditions

The findings of a study examining the effects of the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties of C. myrrha extract in mice suggest benefits that might help in treating various pain-related illnesses causing inflammation.

Possible Anticancer Properties

In vitro testing (testing outside the body, usually in test tubes and similar equipment) has found that myrrh may have an anticancer effect against several cancer cell lines. This is a starting point for research on the possible anticancer properties of myrrh and is not evidence that myrrh is a viable cancer treatment. More research is needed in this area.

Skin Problems

Research has found myrrh oil to have antifungal activity against dermatophytes, but the antifungal activity was lower than ketoconazole (a drug used to treat fungal infections).

Topical use of myrrh could also decrease the inflammation of infected skin.

Other Possible Health Benefits

Though there is a lack of robust supporting evidence, myrrh is purported to have benefits in areas such as:

• Asthma
• Cough
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Indigestion

Research on rats with skin wounds and gastric ulcers who were given myrrh demonstrated significant improvement in the neutrophil production and maturation phase during recovery compared with untreated animals.

Myrrh has slight antiseptic, astringent, and antiflatulent (preventing or relieving the passing of gas) properties, and may be useful in tinctures to relieve sore gums, a sore mouth, and gas.

Some research suggests that myrrh could be helpful as an addition to treating inflammatory bowel disease and diarrhea.

Myrrh shows promise in the area of antibiotic research as it appears to prefer to kill nongrowing cells, which could make it helpful in combination with other antibiotics to kill more bacteria cells (including persister cells), and shorten antibiotic treatment time. More research is needed, and myrrh should not be used as an alternative to prescription antibiotics.

A study on rats found that myrrh may be useful in the prevention and treatment of gastric ulceration.

What Is Myrrh Used For?

In addition to its use in traditional medicine from ancient times to today, myrrh has also had uses such as:

• Fragrance in perfumes and incense
• Cosmetics
• Aromatherapy
• Skin and hair rinsing
• Gargling
• Odor elimination from the armpits and groin

In ancient Egypt, myrrh was used for embalming (preserving dead bodies).

Risks and Side Effects of Myrrh

There is not enough scientific information to establish an appropriate dosage range for myrrh.

Risks and side effects of myrrh may include:

• Large amounts (greater than 2 to 4 grams) can cause kidney irritation and heart rate changes.
  
• Topical use may cause contact dermatitis, skin redness, swelling, and itching.
• Can decrease the action of anticoagulant agents (such as warfarin), which increases the chance of blood-clotting.

Oral use of myrrh is not safe during pregnancy. It can stimulate the uterus and could cause miscarriage or preterm labor. Myrrh also stimulates uterine bleeding. There isn't enough information to determine the safety of topical use of myrrh during pregnancy or the use of myrrh while breastfeeding.

Who Should Avoid Myrrh?

Avoid the use of myrrh if:

• You are pregnant or breastfeeding.
• You have sensitive skin (topical use).
• You are taking Jantoven (warfarin) or other anticoagulant (blood-thinning) agents.
• You are taking cyclosporine (a study found that the coadministration of myrrh with cyclosporine significantly decreased the bioavailability in rats).

Talk to your healthcare provider before using myrrh, especially if you have conditions such as:

• Heart problems
• Diabetes
• Have recently had or will be having surgery
  

Summary

Myrrh is an extract of tree gum resin. It has been used in traditional medicine since ancient times.

Myrrh is purported to have certain health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, pain management, help with inflammatory pain-related conditions, possible anticancer properties, help with skin problems, and more.

Little research exists on the health effects of myrrh in humans. More research is needed to determine what, if any, health benefits myrrh has for humans.

Myrrh should not be used with warfarin or other blood-thinning agents, cyclosporine, or topically on sensitive skin in pregnancy. Too much myrrh can cause serious heart rate changes.

Always talk to your healthcare provider before using myrrh.