Herb library · Herb · Commiphora molmol
Myrrh
The fragrant gum resin of a thorny tree, burned as incense and dabbed on mouth sores. EU regulators accept a myrrh tincture for mouth ulcers and minor wounds on long tradition. An Egyptian myrrh drug for parasitic worm infections did poorly in trials.
Traditional use
The European Medicines Agency recognizes a myrrh tincture as a traditional herbal medicine applied to minor mouth ulcers and inflammation, and to minor wounds and small boils, for adults and adolescents over 12. In Egypt a myrrh extract (Mirazid) was marketed from 2001 for schistosomiasis.
What studies show
- Insufficient
Mouth ulcers and minor wounds: accepted in the EU on traditional use; the EMA considered only lab studies showing antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Limited· shows no benefit
Schistosomiasis: in a randomized trial of 104 infected people in Egypt, the myrrh product Mirazid cleared the infection in only 9% to 16%, against about 74% to 76% with the standard drug praziquantel. A second study of 43 people with schistosomiasis or liver fluke found few infections cleared and almost no fall in egg counts.
Be careful of
Cautions
- AllergyAllergic skin reactions have been reported with myrrh medicines.
- NoteMyrrh tinctures contain alcohol, which can sting on sores and inside the mouth. Keep it out of the eyes. Boils on the face need a doctor.
- ConditionDo not rely on myrrh for parasitic infections; the trials above found it far less effective than standard medicine.
- PregnancyEU guidance: safety in pregnancy and breastfeeding has not been established, so use then is not recommended.
- Ask a clinicianTalk with a clinician or pharmacist before using this if you take prescription medicines, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or are giving it to a child.
In scripture
Where the Bible names this plant, and which plant scholars think is meant.
“Also take fine spices: of liquid myrrh, five hundred shekels; and of fragrant cinnamon half as much, even two hundred and fifty; and of fragrant cane, two hundred and fifty;
They came into the house and saw the young child with Mary, his mother, and they fell down and worshiped him. Opening their treasures, they offered to him gifts: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by night, also came bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred Roman pounds.
Tristram (1898) writes that there is no question as to its identity: Hebrew mor is the gum of the myrrh tree of Arabia and East Africa, Balsamodendron myrrha of the botanists then, a Commiphora today and the resin on this page. H. B. Tristram, The Natural History of the Bible (1898), pp. 364–365 (opens in a new tab)
Sources
- Myrrh: summary for the public (EMA/164109/2019) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
- Community herbal monograph on Commiphora molmol Engler, gummi-resina (EMA/HMPC/96911/2010) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
- Efficacy of myrrh in the treatment of human Schistosomiasis mansoni (Am J Trop Med Hyg, 2005) — PubMed record (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
- Ineffectiveness of myrrh-derivative Mirazid against schistosomiasis and fascioliasis in humans (East Mediterr Health J, 2010) — PubMed record (opens in a new tab) · NIH · read September 25, 2026
- Myrrha — herbal medicinal product (EMA) (opens in a new tab) · EMA · read September 25, 2026
Reviewed September 25, 2026.