BURSERACEAE

The Burseraceae or Torchwood family consist of about 600 species of aromatic, deciduous trees or shrubs of tropical and sub-tropical regions mostly North East Africa and Central America. Both frankincense (Boswellia), and myrrh (Commiphora), of the Bible belong to this family.

Commiphora molmol

Myrrh

Family Burseraceae

Description

A stunted bush or low tree up to 2.75 m high with a thick trunk bearing numerous irregular knotted branches which divide into stout clustered branchlets each spreading out at right angles and terminating in a sharp thorn. Leaves few, trifoliate, obovate-oval, entire and glabrous. Lateral leaflets minute and terminal leaflets 1 cm long. Flowers small in terminal panicles.

Odour—harsh and aromatic; taste—bitter and acrid and sticks to teeth.

Habitat

It is a wild plant of Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia and the Arabian peninsula growing on basaltic soil in very hot areas and is cultivated in east and north Africa.

Parts used

The oleo-resin gum which is discharged through the bark naturally or after cuts are made in it. Commercial myrrh may be derived from other species of Commiphora.1 The resin is yellowish until exposed to the air when it oxidises to a reddish brown colour.

Active constituents2

1) Essential oil (7–17%) including:

a) furanosesquiterpenes which give myrrh its characteristic odour—mainly furanoesudesma-1,3-diene³ (up to 19%) also furanodiene-6-one,⁴ methoxyfuranoguaia-9-ene-8-one,⁵ lindesterene,⁶ curzerenone; furanogermacranes including isofuranogermacrene

b) sesquiterpenes including mainly curzerene and germacrone,⁷ also β- and γ-elemene and eudesmol derivatives

c) triterpenes

d) monoterpenes including isolinalyl acetate Numerous constituents have been identified in the essential oil.

2) Gums (55–60%) including proteoglycans based largely on 4-methyl-glucuronogalactone. This fraction is water soluble

3) Bitter (“murr” is Arabic for “bitter”)

4) Resin (25–40%) based on triterpenoids including commiphoric acids, commiphorinic acid and commiferin.⁸ This fraction is soluble in 90% alcohol.

Some varieties of Commiphora notably C. abyssinica also contain sterols. Due to the common adulteration of C. molmol with other species its chemistry has become rather confused.

Actions

1) Antimicrobial

2) Astringent

3) Anti-inflammatory

4) Carminative

5) Anticatarrhal

6) Vulnerary

7) Antispasmodic

8) Expectorant

Scientific information

Commiphora molmol is regarded as a variety of C. myrrha and considered to produce the best quality myrrh. It has been known as a medicine since written records were first kept and has been an official medicine in many countries.⁹ Its uses listed in pharmacopoeias include an astringent action on mucous membranes, a gargle/mouthwash for ulcers in mouth or pharynx and internally as a carminative.⁹ German Commission E has approved its use for external inflammations of oral and pharyngeal mucosa.

A number of Commiphora species are used medicinally and it is probable that commercial myrrh is a mixture of these. There is a large body of scientific information based on these other species, which share some chemical similarities, and their pharmacology may prove to be similar, but to-date there is limited information on the species used in western medicine.

Antimicrobial

Modern attention on C. molmol has been based on the herb's use as an anti-trematode agent (it was historically used to treat worms). Since 2001 an extract of myrrh, consisting of 8 parts resin and 3.5 parts volatile oil, called “Mirazid”, has been marketed for the treatment of schistosomiasis.

In vitro—Mirazid was shown to directly affect the integrity of Schistosoma mansoni worms which may indicate the in vivo action of the extract.¹⁰

Myrrh has molluscicidal,¹¹ mosquitocidal,¹² larvicidal¹³ and acaricidal¹⁴ activities. The sesquiterpene fraction has antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and antifungal activity against Candida albicans.¹⁵

In vivo—A number of studies have presented impressive cure rates using Mirazid amongst patients infested with the gastro-intestinal parasites from the genera Fasciola,^16–19 Dicrocoelium,²⁰ Schistosoma^17,21–23 and Heterophye.²⁴ This preparation decreased immunoglobulin E and normalised interleukin levels in the monocytes of patients with fascioliasis.²⁵ It was effective and also considered safer than the conventional drug praziquantel.

Not all trials have endorsed the anti-parasitic efficacy of Mirazid.^26,27 This may be due to differences in dosage level and/or regime used and/or variations in parasitic strains encountered. Further investigation therefore seems to be required to establish the drug's usefulness.²⁸

Other

In vitro—Myrrh oil has long been used in perfumery. It is anti-inflammatory through modulation of cytokine and prostaglandin production29 and has moderate antioxidant activity.³⁰ The sesquiterpene fraction also has potential local anaesthetic activity.¹⁵

A reconstruction of an old 18th Century preparation of Commiphora spp., Boswellia spp., Aloe spp. and Pistacia lentiscus is anti-inflammatory, antiseptic and anti-oxidant.³¹

In vivo—A product containing myrrh and salt has been marketed as a dentifrice to protect gums.³² “Paradontax” combines fluoride and bicarbonate with extract of myrrh, sage, Echinacea, chamomile and rhatany. It has been variously reported as significantly decreasing plaque and gingivitis and having no benefit over standard fluoride toothpaste.³³

Myrrh is commonly used in Saudi Arabia in the treatment of diabetes.³⁴

Medicinal uses

Respiratory tract

• catarrh
• common cold

Externally

The herb is most used as an external agent to counteract infections, reduce inflammation and as an anticatarrhal.

• sinusitis
• pharyngitis
• tonsillitis
• aphthous ulcers
• gingivitis
• fungal infections
• boils
• abrasions/inflammations

Pharmacy

Three times daily
Tincture 1:5	–   0.5–2 ml

The neat tincture can be applied externally.

For sinusitis apply over affected sinuses. As a gargle or mouthwash use 5 ml in a glass of warm water.

Precautions and/or safety

Clinical studies have shown myrrh is safe, it is approved for use as a flavouring by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

In vitro—The essential oil has very low cytotoxicity.³⁵ A few cases of allergic dermatitis from topical use have been reported.^36,37

Interactions

There is one reported interaction between myrrh and warfarin in which the effect of the warfarin was apparently negated.³⁸

Historical uses

Extremely long history of medicinal use mainly associated with ability to act as an anti-microbial. Antibiotic for keeping wine (Hebraic texts). To treat wounds and sores; as an embalming agent; for infected teeth; worms; infections of mouth and skin; coughs; chronic catarrh; TB. Was also considered an emmenagogue and therefore used for amenorrhoea. Commonly used in incense.