Myrrh is a tree resin with a surprisingly wide range of uses, from oral care and digestive relief to perfumery and wound healing. Harvested from thorny Commiphora trees native to the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, myrrh has been valued for thousands of years. Ancient Egyptians used it to embalm corpses, while Greek and Roman societies burned it as incense during religious rituals. Today, it shows up in mouthwashes, herbal supplements, essential oil blends, and fragrances, backed by a growing body of clinical research.
Oral Health and Gum Disease
One of the best-supported modern uses of myrrh is in oral care. Multiple clinical trials have found that myrrh-based mouthwashes significantly reduce gum inflammation and plaque buildup when used alongside regular brushing and flossing. In one study, patients using a myrrh mouthwash had notably lower gingival inflammation scores and less bleeding on probing compared to those rinsing with saline. Another trial found that myrrh oil used as a rinse significantly reduced levels of harmful gram-negative bacteria in the mouth.
Myrrh also helps with mouth ulcers. Gel formulations applied directly to canker sores have been shown to relieve pain and reduce ulcer size. One trial in patients with Behçet’s disease, a condition that causes recurring oral ulcers, found that myrrh significantly decreased both the pain and size of lesions. You’ll find myrrh listed as an ingredient in some commercial toothpastes, mouthwashes, and dental powders for these reasons.
Digestive and Gut Relief
A large observational study of over 1,000 patients tested a combination of myrrh, chamomile extract, and coffee charcoal for acute diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Among the 205 IBS patients in the study, those who took the herbal blend alone fared better than those receiving other treatments. More than 54% of IBS patients on the herbal combination alone were completely symptom-free by their last visit, compared to roughly 35 to 39% in other treatment groups.
The combination also improved specific symptoms. Flatulence decreased significantly in patients taking the herbal preparation on its own. Pain intensity dropped in patients receiving it alongside other treatments. Stool frequency improved across all groups. Only two mild side effects (vomiting in one patient, itching in another) were reported in the entire study, suggesting the combination is well tolerated for most people.
Wound Healing and Skin Care
Myrrh has a long history as a topical treatment for cuts and skin irritation, and laboratory research offers some explanation for why. The resin’s active compounds, primarily a class of molecules called furanosesquiterpenoids, have demonstrated antimicrobial activity. Myrrh oil shows moderate effectiveness against common bacteria like E. coli and Salmonella, and stronger activity against gram-positive bacteria, where its minimum bactericidal concentration is quite low (0.2% or less).
In animal wound models, myrrh-based preparations improved collagen deposition and cellular growth at the wound site, both of which are essential for tissue repair. Combining myrrh oil with conventional topical antibiotics in gel form has shown better wound-healing outcomes than either ingredient alone. While these results come primarily from lab and animal studies rather than large human trials, they align with centuries of traditional use for cleaning and dressing wounds.
Pain and Inflammation
Traditional medicine systems across Africa, the Middle East, and China have used myrrh to treat pain for centuries. The resin contains compounds that appear to dampen inflammatory pathways in the body, which is why it keeps appearing in folk remedies for joint pain, muscle soreness, and menstrual cramps. Research into the exact biological mechanism is still being refined, but the anti-inflammatory effects of myrrh’s terpenoid compounds have been consistently observed in laboratory settings. Some combination products pair myrrh with frankincense, another tree resin, for pain-related conditions.
Perfumery and Aromatherapy
Outside of health applications, myrrh is a staple in the fragrance industry. Its warm, slightly bitter, earthy scent functions as what perfumers call a “base note,” meaning it’s one of the last scents you detect and it lingers longest on the skin. Myrrh also works as a fixative: it helps lighter, more volatile scents in a fragrance blend last longer instead of evaporating quickly. You’ll find it in incense, perfumes, candles, and essential oil diffuser blends. In aromatherapy, it’s commonly paired with frankincense or lavender.
Regulatory Status and Food Use
The U.S. FDA lists myrrh as an approved natural flavoring substance under 21 CFR 172.510. This means it can be legally added to food products in small amounts as a flavoring agent, provided manufacturers follow good manufacturing practices. It appears in some herbal teas, bitters, and specialty food products. This regulatory status covers multiple Commiphora species, including C. molmol and C. abyssinica.
Safety and Who Should Avoid It
For most adults, myrrh is considered safe when used topically, as a mouthwash, or in the small amounts found in foods and supplements. Dosages in clinical studies have varied widely depending on the condition being treated, ranging from 200 mg capsules taken daily for general use to higher doses (10 to 12 mg per kilogram of body weight) in short-term antiparasitic protocols.
Pregnant women should not take myrrh orally. The resin contains compounds that stimulate the uterus and can promote uterine bleeding. This is the same property that has led some women to use myrrh to increase menstrual flow, but during pregnancy it raises the risk of miscarriage or preterm labor. Myrrh can also lower blood sugar, so people taking diabetes medications should use caution. If you’re having surgery, it’s worth stopping myrrh supplements at least two weeks beforehand, as it may affect blood clotting.