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Monographs of essential oils that have caused contact allergy / allergic contact dermatitis
Published in Anton C. de Groot, Monographs in Contact Allergy, 2021
The Commiphora genus contains up to 200 species of often thorny shrubs or small- to medium-sized dioecious trees with a peeling, papery bark growing in sandy and rocky areas distributed across Africa (especially northern Africa: Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, Eritrea) and the Arabian peninsula (Yemen, Oman, Saudi Arabia), with four species also found in India (2,8). Myrrh is the dried gum oleoresin principally obtained from the schizogenous gum-oleoresin cavities in the stem or branches of the small tree Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. (which produces true myrrh, also called Somalia myrrh, heerabol myrrh) or other Commiphora species such as C. abyssinica (habessinica) (Berg.) Engl., Commiphora gileadensis L. (produces Mecca balsam, also called mecca myrrh, opobalsam, balsam of Gilead), Commiphora schimperi (O. Berg) Engl. (CAS 89997-88-6; EC 289-725-3) and Commiphora wildii (CAS 1082996-27-7).
Biblical times
Published in Michael J. O’Dowd, The History of Medications for Women, 2020
Myrrh is a bitter, aromatic, transparent gum resin, exuded from the bark of Commiphora myrrha, a tree native to North and East Africa. The name of this well-known spice is practically the same in all languages (Arabic murr, Hebrew mor, Latin myrrha or murra, French myrrhe and Middle English mine) so there is no doubt about its identity. In ancient legend it was related that the princess Myrrha was obsessed with love for her father Theias, King of Assyria. He returned her love and as a result of their incestuous relationship she bore a son, Adonis. Afterwards, in a state of grief and remorse Myrrha exiled herself to the barren deserts of Arabia and prayed for forgiveness. The gods transformed her into the myrrh tree, where she remains, weeping perfumed tears of repentance (Moldenke and Moldenke, 1952 pp. 82–84).
A Review on Ethnobotany of Hepatoprotective Plants of India
Published in T. Pullaiah, K. V. Krishnamurthy, Bir Bahadur, Ethnobotany of India, 2017
Humans have long understood the medicinal properties of plants and have imbued trees, plants and flowers with spiritual properties. Herbs are used in many religions - such as in Christianity (myrrh (Commiphora myrrha), ague root (Aletris farinosa) and frankincense (Boswellia spp.). In Hinduism a form of Basil called Tulsi is worshipped as a goddess for its medicinal value since the Vedic times. Many Hindus have a Tulsi plant in front of their houses. In India, early Vedic texts describe the energies within plants and their use as medicine. The Rig Veda describes plants and their actions. The Atharva Veda mentions the therapeutic uses of plant medicines in greater detail. Charaka Samhita and Sushruta Samhita, the two classic Ayurvedic texts classified all medicinal substances into three groups: vegetable, animal and mineral origin. Astanga Hrdaya and Astanga Samgraha deal with Ayurveda material medica.
In vitro cytogenotoxic and mutagenic effects of Commiphora myrrha essential oil
Published in Drug and Chemical Toxicology, 2022
Amine Hafis Abdelsalam, Hasan Basri Ila
Recently it has been reported that natural plant extracts and phytochemicals potentially prevent and treat many diseases, including atopic dermatitis (AD) (Baser et al.2003). Commiphora myrrha (Commiphora (Nees) Engler also known as C. myrrha (Nees) Engler), a member of the Burseraceae plant family, are small trees or shrubs with short spiny branches. It is a variable species found in Southern Arabia and North Africa (mainly Somalia) as far south as Southeast Kenya (Shen et al. 2009, Anand et al. 2016). The resinous waste of this plant, known as myrrh, is an important commercial and medicinal product used as a food additive, fragrance, and traditional Chinese medicine (Zhu et al. 2001, Shen et al. 2009).