Myrrh

Other names: Gum myrrh, gum myrrh tree

Scientific name: Commiphora molmol

Common names: Commiphora resin

Ayurvedic names: Bola

Chinese name: Mo yao

Bangladesh names: Gyggulu

Arabic names:  المر (al murr)

Rain Forest names:

Family: Fabaceae?

Approximate number of species known:

Common parts used: Resin

Collection:

Annual/Perennial: Perennial

Height: Upto 4 m

Actions:  Anti-catarrhal, anti-microbial, anti-septic, astrigent, emmenagogue, expectorant, tonic, vulnerary

Known Constituents:  Up to 40% resin, Upto 15% oil

Constituents Explained:

Description: 

Traditional Use:

Considered a very strong antiseptic and anti microbial.  Myrrh has been prized since biblical times.  

Very unpleasant tasting.

It has been used as a gargle and mouthwash, and for bad breath.1  

Has been used for pyorrhea by brushing it on the teeth.1

Externally it has been used to disinfect wounds, generalhealing, and for hammaroids.

Clinical Studies:

A total of 3278 patients attended Mansoura University Hospitals’ Clinics with gastro-intestinal troubles suggesting parasitosis were examined by direct smear and by Kato-Katz methods for parasites especially Heterophyes heterophyes.

Fifty clinically and parasitologically proved pure heterophyiasis patients were given Mirazid as two capsules for 9 successive days on an empty stomach an hour before breakfast.

All the cases were subjected to history taking and clinical examination before treatment and were followed-up for four weeks post-treatment. There was an overt clinical and parasitological improvement. 

A total of 47 out of 50 (94%) were cured. Another course was given to the three patients who were still positive, but only two of them were cured (66.7%). The overall cure rate was 49/50 (98%) and none had any side effect. 

Reference:

Massoud AM, El-Shazly AM, Morsy TA. “Mirazid (Commiphora Molmol) In Treatment Of Human Heterophyiasis.” 2007 August http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17985576