TCM myrrh, a magical medicine for intestinal pain

What is myrrh(Mo Yao)?
It refers to the oleoresin seeped through the bark of Commiphora myrrha Engl. (= C. molmol (Nees). Engl.) or other species of the genus Commiphora in the family Burseraceae. Other names of it include Resina Commiphorae Myrrhae, Myrrha, aka commiphora myrrha, balasmodendron myrrha, and so on. It is wild and cultivated. The yellowish white oleoresin bled from the bark cracks usually becomes solid and reddish brown because exposed in air. In China, it is usually collected from November to following February. When used in the medical application, the impurities should be removed. And it is generally used raw (smashed) externally and processed (fried or stir-baked with vinegar) internally.

This herb is mentioned in the Bible and there it may refer to one or two different species since both of them come from the same area and look quite alike to each other. These two species are native to Arabia, Somalia, Ethiopia and the coast of Somali in the East African coast. The myrrh produced there accounts for the most of the market share all around the world. Commiphora myrrha is a lush dwarf shrub or small tree. Branches are stout, still, and thorny. It grows in rocky areas, in particular in the limestone hill. Both the tree bark and sapwood have intense fragrance and the oleoresin will ooze naturally from the trunks and twigs.

Myrrh gum benefits
Myrrh has developed a reputation medicinally thanks to its extensive medicinal uses available. Here are the top 10 health benefits of myrrh.

1. It has long been considered as a magical medicine for abdominal and intestinal pain;

2. It is good at healing skin conditions like eczema and a wound, especially chronic wounds, as it has excellent bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects;

3. Adding a little bit of myrrh oil in face cream and hand cream can protect your hands from chapped and treat frost-cracked and chapped skin;

4. It is effective in athletic foots since it is anti-fungal;

5. Its diluent is also used as a good vaginal lavage fluid to treat vaginitis. It can quickly relieve itching and other uncomfortable symptoms. But it works on the treatment of Candida vaginitis only;

7. It is beneficial to the gums too by quickly healing mouth ulcers and gum problems. For the reason, many famous brands of toothpaste add myrrh ingredient;

8. The steam inhalation can reduce excessive mucus, which is suitable for the treatment of chest infections, nose and throat catarrh, chronic bronchitis, colds, and sore throats.