Myrrh: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
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Scientific name(s)
Commiphora myrrha, Commiphora molmol
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Terpenoids
Sesquiterpenes
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Pharyngitis, Stomatitis ✪✪✪✪✪
Myrrh is commonly used in the treatment of oral conditions such as stomatitis and pharyngitis, often integrated into gargles or mouthwashes. Although controlled clinical trials on these applications are limited, studies have shown its potential anti-inflammatory effect. A 2003 in vitro research revealed that low concentrations of myrrh oil reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production by gingival fibroblasts, thus reducing inflammation associated with gingivitis and periodontitis, partly due to the inhibition of PGE2 production. Myrrh resin is also valued for dental care applications, used for the topical treatment of small wounds, soothing inflamed tissues of the oral cavity and throat. Commission E approved the use of myrrh for these indications, recognizing its benefits in the topical treatment of gingivitis, stomatitis, and other minor inflammations. Similarly, ESCOP recommends myrrh for the topical treatment of gingivitis, aphthous ulcers, minor skin inflammations, and as support in the treatment of pharyngitis and tonsillitis.
Posologie
Cutaneous, oral
fluid extract, mouthwash
E/S/C/O/P: 2nd Edition of the ESCOP Monographs
Evaluating Soft Tissue Healing after Implant Placement Using Two Different Mouthwashes (Myrrh and Chlorhexidine Gluconate): A Randomized Control Trial
Digestive parasitosis ✪✪✪✪✪
Myrrh has been proven effective in the treatment of various parasitic infections. For schistosomiasis, studies demonstrated high cure rates of 97% and 96% for Schistosoma haematobium and S. mansoni strains with the administration of 1200 mg of myrrh per day for 6 days. Regarding fasciolosis, caused by Fasciola hepatica, myrrh reduced symptoms and parasite eggs with an efficacy of 94.1% in treated individuals. Additionally, studies on heterophyiasis and dicrocoeliasis show that appropriate doses of myrrh also led to a significant decrease in parasites and associated symptoms. These results support the use of myrrh as a promising therapeutic option against parasitic infections.
Posologie
Oral
600 mg
Mirazid, standardized extract
Myrrh and trematodoses in Egypt: an overview of safety, efficacy and effectiveness profiles
A safe, effective, herbal antischistosomal therapy derived from myrrh
Rheumatism, Joint pain ✪✪✪✪✪
Myrrh has shown promising properties in the treatment of rheumatic and joint pain. A small uncontrolled study on patients suffering from osteoarthritis revealed that a treatment of 500 mg of C. mukul, administered three times daily for two months, significantly reduced inflammation, swelling, and joint pain. Although these results suggest significant clinical potential, further research is needed to confirm these effects. Moreover, a small clinical study on the standardized myrrh extract (MyrLiq, Biosfered S.r.l.) demonstrated that daily intake of 200 to 400 mg for 20 days improved various types of acute pain, including headaches, fever-associated pain, joint or muscle pain, lower back pain, and menstrual cramps, compared to a placebo. This use in association with frankincense is also recognized for its efficacy against rheumatic inflammation, offering a natural therapeutic option for managing various types of pain. Myrrh essential oil can also be used orally or topically for pain relief.
Posologie
Oral
200 - 500 mg
essential oil, standardized extract, dry extract
Synergies
Chronic inflammatory bowel diseases ✪✪✪✪✪
In the treatment of chronic inflammatory digestive diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, myrrh has shown promising results. A clinical study on patients with ulcerative colitis revealed that taking a product combining myrrh 100 mg, chamomile extract 70 mg, and coffee charcoal 50 mg per tablet (MYRRHINIL-INTEST, Repha GmbH), at a dosage of four tablets three times a day for 12 months, was as effective as mesalamine therapy for maintaining remission. Additionally, observational research indicated that the same product resolved symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases, including ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, within 16 to 26 days. Similar research on patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) observed an improvement in general diarrhea symptoms with this product. The overall efficacy of the treatment was judged to be good to very good by the patients and physicians. However, the observational nature of these studies limits the validity of the results.
Posologie
Oral
100 mg
dry extract
Synergies
Randomised clinical trial: a herbal preparation of myrrh, chamomile and coffee charcoal compared with mesalazine in maintaining remission in ulcerative colitis--a double-blind, double-dummy study
Skin healing ✪✪✪✪✪
Two small clinical studies on women requiring episiotomy showed that using a diluted myrrh tincture in a sitz bath modestly improved bruising, discharge, and wound healing compared to a placebo, frankincense extract, or a 10% Betadine solution.
Posologie
Topically
sitz bath, mother tincture
Lower back pain ✪✪✪✪✪
Several studies have examined the efficacy of myrrh in treating chronic back pain. A small clinical study showed that lumbar massages with 5 mL of essential oils of myrrh and frankincense at 2% concentration for two 15-minute sessions per week over 3 weeks significantly reduced pain and disability compared to a placebo. Additionally, observational research revealed that daily intake of a blend of myrrh 200 mg, palmitoylethanolamide 600 mg, and alpha-lipoic acid 800 mg for 30 days, in combination with epidural oxygen-ozone injections, resulted in pain resolution in 17% more patients than those treated with steroid injections after 60 days. Another observational study found that a specific myrrh extract (MyrliMax) at 100 mg twice daily for 20 days reduced pain and the need for additional analgesics. Furthermore, a study on adults suffering from acute lombo-sacral radiculopathy related to disc herniation observed that combined supplementation of myrrh 100 mg, alpha-lipoic acid 404 mg, and palmitoylethanolamide 306 mg twice daily for 4 weeks, along with steroids and opioids as needed, improved pain, disability, and physical health.
Posologie
Oral, topical
200 mg
essential oil, standardized extract, dry extract
Synergies
New Approach to Chronic Back Pain Treatment: A Case Control Study
MyrliMax® and Low Back Pain: A Multicentric, Observational, Post-Marketing Surveillance Study in Indian Patients Suffering from Chronic Low Back Pain of Various Pain Intensity
Oxygen-Ozone Therapy Associated with Alpha Lipoic Acid Plus Palmitoylethanolamide and Myrrh versus Ozone Therapy in the Combined Treatment of Sciatic Pain Due to Herniated Discs: Observational Study on 318 Patients
Alpha-Lipoic Acid, Palmitoylethanolamide, Myrrh, and Oxygen-Ozone Therapy Improve Pharmacological Therapy in Acute Painful Lumbosacral Radiculopathy due to Herniated Disc
Dermatoses ✪✪✪✪✪
Myrrh is used in ointments and topical preparations for the treatment of bedsores, small wounds, and hemorrhoids. Although lacking in clinical trials, its antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, astringent, and local anesthetic properties support its theoretical efficacy. ESCOP recommends its topical use for minor skin inflammations and small abrasions.
Posologie
Topically
fluid extract, mother tincture, cream
Properties
Analgesic
Myrrh is recognized for its analgesic effects in both animals and preliminary human research. These properties are mainly attributed to sesquiterpene furanoeudesma-1,3-diene, such as curzerene, furanoeudesma-1,3-diene, and lindestrol. Studies have revealed that myrrh acts similarly to opioids on the central nervous system, increasing its potential as an analgesic. For instance, an oral administration of 1 mg/kg of C. myrrha powder showed significant analgesic activity in mice, which was reinforced by tests demonstrating that furanoeudesma-1,3-diene at 50 mg/kg was remarkably more effective than the control in mouse writhing tests.
Usages associés
Antiparasitic
Myrrh, specifically the oleoresin of Commiphora molmol (marketed as Mirazid), has shown remarkable antiparasitic properties against Eimeria stiedae, Fasciola gigantica, Giardia lamblia, and Schistosoma mansoni. Studies have proven its 100% effectiveness against Giardia lamblia in rats and significantly reduced the parasitic load in cases of heterophyiasis and hepatic coccidiosis in rabbits and rats. It also showed antiparasitic activity against Schistosoma mansoni, reducing eggs and worms in mouse livers while normalizing liver enzymes and structure. This efficacy has been compared to drugs like Praziquantel. Note that myrrh volatile oil seems to have greater anthelmintic activity than a myrrh oleoresin extract.
Usages associés
Anti-inflammatory
Myrrh shows notable anti-inflammatory activity, even surpassing hydrocortisone in some animal models of inflammation. The triterpene Myrrhanol A, isolated from Commiphora mukul gum resin, and myrrh essential oil, which inhibits IL-6 production, illustrate these properties well. Additionally, ethanol and petroleum ether extracts of C. myrrha have proven effective as analgesics and anti-inflammatories. Associated with Boswellia carterii (frankincense), myrrh intensifies its effects, likely acting by inhibiting the overproduction of inflammatory mediators like nitrites and prostaglandins E (PGE).
Usages associés
Cognitive function
Some preliminary animal research indicates that myrrh could help improve memory disorders. In a study conducted on mice with memory impairment induced by scopolamine, oral administration of a myrrh resin extract for 7 days reversed the negative effects of scopolamine. The observed memory improvement could be attributed to the activation of specific proteins in the brain, notably in the hippocampus, a crucial region for learning and memory. These proteins, called Akt and ERK, play an important role in cellular signaling that supports cognitive function and neuronal health.
Hypoglycemic
Myrrh extracts have demonstrated the ability to increase glucose tolerance in both normal and diabetic rats. The purified ethyl ester of commipheric acid, administered at 150 mg/kg twice a day, reduced fasting blood sugar, insulin, and triglycerides. These results suggest that this component could be partly responsible for the antidiabetic effects of myrrh, although its oral bioavailability is limited.
Gastroprotective
Myrrh exhibits protective activity for the gastric mucosa. A study demonstrated that an aqueous suspension of myrrh administered to rats at doses of 250 to 1000 mg/kg provides significant and dose-proportional protection of the stomach lining.
Wound healing
Myrrh is recognized for its astringent properties, promoting tissue granulation and accelerating wound healing. In studies on mice, a myrrh suspension helped heal and repair damaged tissues of the oral mucosa over a two-week period.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adult from 12 years: 300 mg - 1500 mg (powder)
The dosage of myrrh varies according to the form in which it is administered and the intended use: - Powder: The recommended daily dose is 0.3 to 1.5 g, usually divided into several tablets taken throughout the day. - Oleocapsules: According to the British Pharmacopoeia Commission, oleocapsules are available in dosages of 150 mg, to be taken 2 to 6 times a day, or 300 mg to 900 mg, to be taken 2 to 3 times a day. - Mother tincture: The advised dosage is 6 to 10 drops per day, divided into 2 drops per intake. It can also be diluted at a ratio of 2.5 to 5.0 mL in a glass of water, taken three times a day. - External use: Myrrh can be used in gargles, mouth washes, or applied directly to the skin for its antiseptic and healing properties.
Interactions
Médicaments
Ciclosporin: moderate interaction
Myrrh is incompatible with the intake of ciclosporin.
Precautions
Child from 6 to 12 years: use with caution
There is little reliable information on the safety of using myrrh in children. According to ESCOP, myrrh can be used in children under the same conditions as in adults for external use only, except for the use of tinctures which should be diluted when applied to the skin.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Insufficient data.
Contraindications
Pregnant women: prohibited
Myrrh is contraindicated for pregnant women, as it may stimulate uterine tone and have an abortive effect.
