Aroma Pets

Myrrh (Commiphora Myrrha)

History and Character
Myrrh is a shrub or small tree with sturdy knotted branches, trifoliate aromatic leaves and small white flowers. The trunk exudes an oleoresin, which hardens into red-brown tears.

The trees are native to Northern Africa and Southwest Asia, especially the desert regions of the Red Sea. The name is derived from the Arabic for 'bitter'.

Myrrh is the grand old man of essential oils, one of the first substances to be valued for its scent. The ancient Egyptians valued it as a healing ungent, and burnt it to honour the dead. The ancient Hebrews drank it with wine to prepare themselves for religious ceremonies. Jesus was offered wine laced with myrrh on the cross to diminish his suffering.

Myrrh is like a desert wind, drying out dampness and invigorating those who are slow, lethargic or run-down.

Myrrh frees thoughts that are caught in a pattern of restlessness, brings peace of mind, helps close wounds physically and emotionally, and creates a quite place inside to recover from loss or rejection.

Principal Uses - Physical
Excess mucous - Fungal skin infections - Gum infections (hydrosol only) - Rain scald and mud fever - Weeping wounds.

Behavioural
Grief, loss, - Exaggerated concern for others - Quiet anxiety - Sadness - Weighed down by responsibility.

I most often use Myrrh for:
Restless dogs that worry about others, especially if they are prone to damp, oozing skin conditions or excess mucous.

Those who are stoic about pain and past suffering, especially if they have breathing problems.

Extraction and Characteristics:
Steam distilled from the crude resin or (more commonly) solvent extraction from the crude myrrh to make resinoid. The resinoid is a thick brown viscous mass not pourable at room temperature. The essential oil is a pale amber, oily liquid that is very sticky.

Fragrance: Sweet/sharp balsamic smell, resinous and slightly camphoraceous.

Action: Anti-fugal, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, antispasmodic, astringent, cardiac tonic, carminative, cicatrizant, non-sensitizing, possibly toxic in high concentrations. Avoid in pregnancy.

Maximum Dilution: 3 drops in 5ml/1 tsp

Reference: The Aromatic Dog: Nayana Morag