Myrrh is a tree resin that can be used topically on skin, diffused as an essential oil, added to oral care routines, or taken as a supplement. Each form has different preparation methods and safety considerations, so the right approach depends on what you’re trying to get out of it. Here’s how to use myrrh effectively in each of its common forms.
What Myrrh Actually Contains
Myrrh resin is roughly 40–60% gum (mostly protein and carbohydrates), 23–40% resin, and 2–8% volatile oil. The volatile oil gives myrrh its distinctive warm, slightly medicinal smell and contains compounds responsible for its pain-relieving properties. The resin fraction contains acids and phenolic compounds that drive its anti-inflammatory effects, working by lowering levels of inflammatory signaling molecules in tissue. This combination of components is why myrrh shows up in such varied applications, from skincare to mouthwash to digestive supplements.
Topical Use on Skin
Myrrh essential oil should never go directly on your skin undiluted. For body care products like lotions, serums, or massage oils, keep the essential oil content at or below 2% of the total blend. That works out to about 12 drops of myrrh oil per ounce of carrier oil (jojoba, sweet almond, and coconut are all common choices). For facial applications or sensitive skin, drop down to 0.5–1%, which is 3 to 6 drops per ounce.
To make a simple myrrh skin oil, measure out one ounce of your carrier oil in a small glass bottle, add your drops, cap it, and roll the bottle between your palms to blend. Apply a small amount to the inside of your wrist and wait 24 hours before using it more broadly. Myrrh’s anti-inflammatory properties make it a reasonable addition to products aimed at irritated or rough skin, and it has a long history of use in wound-healing preparations.
If you’re blending myrrh into a perfume or a product you’ll only dab on a small area, you can go up to 5% concentration since the application area is so limited.
Diffusing Myrrh Oil
For aromatherapy, add 3–4 drops of myrrh essential oil to an ultrasonic diffuser filled with water. Myrrh has a thick, resinous consistency compared to lighter oils like lavender or peppermint, so it disperses more slowly. You may need to give the diffuser a moment to pull the oil into the mist. Some people mix myrrh with a thinner complementary oil like frankincense or orange to help it diffuse more evenly and round out the heavy, earthy scent.
Run the diffuser in 30- to 60-minute intervals rather than continuously, and keep the room ventilated. This is especially important if you have pets, as essential oil diffusers can irritate the respiratory systems of cats and birds.
Myrrh for Oral Health
Myrrh mouthwash is one of the better-studied uses of this resin. Multiple clinical trials have tested 1% myrrh mouthwash solutions against chlorhexidine (the standard prescription-strength mouthwash) for treating gum inflammation and periodontal disease. The results have been promising enough to earn myrrh a place in the conversation around natural oral care.
You can find premade myrrh mouthwashes at health food stores, or make a basic version at home. Steep a small piece of myrrh resin (about pea-sized) in a cup of hot water for 10–15 minutes, strain it, and let it cool. Swish for 30 seconds and spit. Some people add a drop of myrrh essential oil to a cup of warm water instead, though the resin tea method gives you a more complete extraction of the gum and resin components. Myrrh tinctures (alcohol-based extracts) can also be diluted in water for the same purpose, and a few drops applied directly to sore gums with a cotton swab is a traditional approach for localized discomfort.
Oral Supplements and Resin
Myrrh is classified by the FDA as a natural flavoring agent, which reflects its long history of oral use. Myrrh resin capsules and powdered extracts are available as dietary supplements, typically in doses ranging from 500 to 600 mg per day. In clinical research, doses around 10–11.5 mg per kilogram of body weight taken for several consecutive days produced only mild, temporary side effects. For a 150-pound person, that translates to roughly 680–780 mg per day.
Supplement capsules are the most straightforward way to take myrrh orally. Some people also chew small pieces of raw myrrh resin, which has a bitter, astringent taste that most find unpleasant at first but tolerable. If you’re using raw resin, start with a piece no larger than a peppercorn and see how your stomach handles it before increasing the amount. Myrrh can cause digestive upset, including diarrhea and stomach cramps, particularly at higher doses.
Making Myrrh Tincture at Home
A tincture is the most versatile preparation because you can use it topically, in mouthwash, or take small amounts internally. To make one, grind myrrh resin chunks into smaller pieces using a mortar and pestle or a spice grinder. Place the ground resin in a clean glass jar, filling it about one-quarter full. Cover the resin with high-proof vodka or grain alcohol (at least 80 proof), seal the jar tightly, and store it in a cool, dark place for 4–6 weeks. Shake it every few days.
After steeping, strain the liquid through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer into a dark glass dropper bottle. The finished tincture can be added to water for mouthwash, applied to skin with a carrier oil, or taken in small amounts (a few drops at a time) under the tongue or in water.
Safety Concerns and Interactions
Myrrh is unsafe during pregnancy. It stimulates the uterus and can trigger uterine contractions, increasing the risk of miscarriage or preterm labor. This same property is why some women have historically used it to promote menstrual flow. If you’re pregnant, nursing, or trying to conceive, avoid myrrh in all forms.
If you take warfarin or other blood thinners, myrrh can reduce the drug’s effectiveness. It appears to speed up warfarin’s breakdown in the liver, which means the medication clears your system faster than intended. A published case report documented exactly this scenario: a patient’s anticoagulant therapy stopped working properly after they started taking myrrh. If you’re on blood-thinning medication, this interaction is significant enough to take seriously.
Myrrh can also lower blood sugar, so people taking diabetes medications should be cautious about stacking that effect. Large oral doses may cause liver stress, though animal studies using 500 mg per kilogram (a dose far beyond what humans would typically take) showed no signs of liver damage even after 12 weeks. At normal supplemental doses, serious side effects are uncommon, but gastrointestinal discomfort is the most frequent complaint.
For topical use, always patch test before applying myrrh oil to a large area. Contact dermatitis is possible, particularly with undiluted or heavily concentrated preparations.