This product is an oleo-gum resin exuded from the bark of the myrrh tree (Commiphora myrrha Engl.), a shrub or tree of the Olive family, or other plants of the same genus. It is mainly produced in Somalia, Ethiopia, and India. From November to February of the following year, the oleo-gum resin that exudes from the bark cracks and hardens into reddish-brown lumps in the air is collected. After removing the bark and impurities, it is crushed and then stir-fried for use.

bubble_chart Properties and Meridians

Bitter and acrid, neutral. Act on heart, liver and spleen meridians.

bubble_chart Efficacy

Dredging collaterals and relieving pain, resolving swelling to promote tissue regeneration.

bubble_chart Indications

This product has similar efficacy and indications to frankincense, treating injuries from falls and blows, swelling and pain due to blood stasis, surgical abscesses and swelling, sores and ulcers that do not heal for a long time after ulceration, as well as all types of pain in the heart and abdomen due to blood stasis. It is often used in combination with frankincense for mutual reinforcement. The difference between the two lies in the fact that frankincense is more inclined to move qi and stretch tendons; myrrh is more inclined to disperse blood and resolve stasis. In addition, modern clinical use of myrrh has shown certain efficacy in treating hyperlipidemia.

bubble_chart Documentation

1. Yaoxing Lun: "Mainly treats contusions, blood stasis in the heart and abdomen, fractures, pain from bruises in the muscles and bones, injuries from metal blades, and unbearable pain."
2. Bencao Gangmu: "Disperses blood, reduces swelling, relieves pain, and promotes tissue regeneration." "Frankincense activates blood circulation, myrrh disperses blood stasis, both can relieve pain and resolve swelling to promote tissue regeneration, hence these two herbs are often used together."
3. Yixue Zhongzhong Canxilu: "Frankincense and myrrh, when used together, are essential herbs for unblocking the zang-fu organs and promoting the flow of meridians and collaterals. Therefore, they can treat various pains in the heart, stomach, ribs, abdomen, limbs, and joints. They are also effective in treating menstrual abdominal pain in women, postpartum static blood causing pain, and delayed menstruation. Their ability to promote qi and blood circulation also makes them effective in treating wind-cold-dampness impediment, general numbness, paralysis of the limbs, and all kinds of sores, ulcers, and swellings, or hard sores that do not hurt. When used externally as a powder to apply to sores and ulcers, they can remove toxins, disperse swelling, promote tissue regeneration, and relieve pain. Although they are opening and unblocking herbs, they do not excessively deplete qi and blood, truly they are excellent medicines."

bubble_chart Usage and Dosage

Same as frankincense.

bubble_chart Cautions and Contraindications

The same as frankincense. If used together with frankincense, the dosage of both medicines should be reduced accordingly.

bubble_chart Modern Pharmacology

This product contains resin (a and b rare myrrh acid, a, b, and g myrrh acid, myrrh nic acid, a and b rare myrrh phenol), gum (hydrolyzed to yield arabinose, galactose, and xylose), volatile oil, etc.

It has varying degrees of inhibitory effects on multiple pathogenic fungi; the resin has a lipid-lowering effect on hypercholesterolemia in male rabbits and can prevent the formation of patches.