Biblical times
Michael J. O’Dowd in 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).
Monographs of essential oils that have caused contact allergy / allergic contact dermatitis
Anton C. de Groot in 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).
Types of Raw Incense
Kerry Hughes in The Incense Bible, 2014
Myrrh and frankincense seem almost inseparable in their history and use, as they have repeatedly been seen throughout different cultures as complimentary in their properties. In line with this, frankincense is often thought of as providing male energy and myrrh the female. Myrrh’s earthy, warm, spicy balsamic fragrance is the yin (female quality) to compliment frankincense’s lighter, spicy citrus balsamic scent that symbolizes the yang (male quality). Myrrh is a dark, dirty-looking resin that has no aroma unless it is smoldered, or unless the essential oils are extracted. Myrrh is often used in perfumery and aromatherapy. In perfumes it is used to lend a spicy base and an oriental character. As a flavor, it produces a biting-burning taste.
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).
ESWT and nutraceutical supplementation (Tendisulfur Forte) vs ESWT-only in the treatment of lateral epicondylitis, Achilles tendinopathy, and rotator cuff tendinopathy: a comparative study
Published in Journal of Drug Assessment, 2019
Matteo Vitali, Nadim Naim Rodriguez, Pierluigi Pironti, Andreas Drossinos, Gaia Di Carlo, Anshuman Chawla, Fraschini Gianfranco
Myrrh is a natural anti-inflammatory compound. Morikawa et al.38 showed that myrrh contains several anti-inflammatory constituents, called terpenoids, which are able to inhibit nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated mouse peritoneal macrophages.
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