Myrrh essential oil is found in the following Kaliana Formulas: Recovery. Click here to learn why using blends are more effective than using individual essential oils.

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If you’re familiar with Biblical stories, you know that “Myrrh” is one of the valuable items presented to Jesus. It was actually mentioned in the New Testament 152 times! That’s how significant it is. Researchers today believe that it was considered a standard gift to honor a deity or king during the ancient times. 

Myrrh is a resin that is extracted from a tree called Commiphora myrrha. People harvest it by wounding the trees repeatedly, penetrating the bark until it bleeds the gum.

It comes out as a waxy substance then becomes hard and glossy once it coagulates. It has been used throughout history as a perfume, incense, and medicine. 

The tree is native to Africa and the Middle East. Its name is derived from the Arabic word “murr” which means bitter, pertaining to the sweet, bitter smell. It is botanically related to frankincense and is one of the widely used essential oils.

Myrrh oil is produced via steam distillation. It is a yellowish, orange liquid that has a viscous consistency.

Myrrh Essential Oil History

There is a record from Herodotus that describes how Myrrh was used during 450 B.C. It was mentioned that the resin was used in the mummification process and various rituals...

...Other historical uses of Myrrh include being a food flavoring, hay fever treatment, antiseptic for wounds, and an embalming substance. 

It was a common practice for priests or priestesses to burn the resins over coal, usually in combination with frankincense. This is to release its scent and spiritual quality throughout the room. It is believed to help improve meditation for prayer. People would also burn it during funerals or other solemn events and blend it with citrus oils. 

Myrrh Oil: for Healing Emotional Wounds

Kaliana’s Emotional Read on Myrrh:

Myrrh is a sacred essential oil that helps with recovery from intense emotions that come from being blindsided: such as accidents, surgery, trauma or sudden traumatic news like being diagnosed with a serious illness.

Myrrh works as a gentle smelling salt that buffers the heart from the bad, while awakening the mind to be aware and present in the moment in order to help the individual function. 

Myrrh essential oil can also be used consistently over months to assist in gently releasing emotions that have been trapped or locked down for a long time. You might describe a person in dire need of this essential oil as someone who can’t cry, or is frozen, numb or in shock.

1. Releasing Childhood Trauma & PTSD

Did you know that Myrrh essential oil is associated with the soul’s relationship to its maternal mother?

When a mother-child bond is broken, feelings of trust will be replaced with feelings of fear. You then constantly feel that the world is unsafe. Myrrh helps heal this disturbance. It can improve one’s ability to release childhood trauma and form trusting bonds. 

2. Feeling Calm, Safe and Balanced

Myrrh essential oil contains sesquiterpenes that have a direct effect on the pituitary, hypothalamus, and amygdala, which are the seat of our emotions. Sesquiterpenes play an important role in helping us remain calm and balanced, versus feeling over-run by fear and anxiousness.

Myrrh’s woody aroma is warm, uplifting, purifying, and restorative. This makes the soul feel the love and nurturing presence of a mother. As a result, you feel safer, more stable, and secure. 

If you are looking for a highly effective blend to assist recovery from childhood trauma, PTSD, acts of aggression or violence, surgery, or other emotional wounds an ideal combination of essential oils is geranium, myrrh, neroli, melissa, benzoin, cypress, grapefruit, cedarwood, turmeric and angelica.

Myrrh Essential Oil Health Benefits 

Myrrh oil has two primary active compounds—terpenoids and sesquiterpenes. Both are known for their potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effect. Myrrh oil also has antiseptic, anesthetic, and anti-tumor properties. 

1. Antioxidant Power

A 2016 study found that Myrrh emulsion may protect against liver damage due its high antioxidant capacity.

Researchers concluded that the emulsion is a "potent antioxidant" that can "protect against PbAc-induced hepatic oxidative damage and immunotoxicity by reducing lipid peroxidation and enhancing the antioxidant and immune defense mechanisms."

2. Antibacterial & Antifungal

Myrrh can be used to help cleanse wounds and prevent infections. A lab study showed it is potent against bacteria that can cause pimples, impetigo, and respiratory tract infections.

Researchers also found that the antibacterial properties of Myrrh essential oil are amplified when used with frankincense oil. 

In a study evaluating a postpartum mother's perineal healing, patients were subjected to aromatherapy using Myrrh oil and other essential oils through sitz bath or soap application. It helped in perineum healing by warding off bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis.

Myrrh essential oil is also effective in treating minor fungal irritations such as athlete’s foot, bad breath, ringworm, and acne. In one study, it inhibited 43–61% of the growth of five fungi that could cause a variety of skin conditions. 

3. Support Oral Health

Due to its antimicrobial properties, Myrrh has been a popular treatment of choice against oral infections and inflammation. In fact, some FDA-approved natural mouthwash and toothpaste brands contain Myrrh oil.

A 2002 scientific review found Myrrh to be “one of the most effective herbal medicines in the world for sore throats, canker sores and gingivitis.” 

A 2016 study also found Myrrh to be “effective for the oral ulcers in patients with Behçet's disease.” Myrrh was used as a mouthwash four times per day for a week. Up to 50% of the patients reported complete pain relief and 19% had complete healing of their mouth sores. 

4. Anticancer Properties

Researchers in China revealed that extracts and compounds from Myrrh have promising anti-cancer properties. In vitro lab tests demonstrated the inhibition of cancer cell growth in eight different types of cancer cells, specifically human gynecological cancers. Further study is still needed to determine exactly how to use Myrrh for treatment, but the foundation is clearly there.

How to Use Myrrh Oil

Myrrh oils can be inhaled via diffusion or sprayed in the air. It is an ideal remedy to improve symptoms of bronchitis, colds or cough. It can relieve congestion and reduce phlegm.

To lighten up the fragrance, it is best blended with citrus oils, such as bergamot, grapefruit, neroli, lemon, as well as geranium or melissa. 

Due to its antioxidant properties, Myrrh can be mixed with carrier oils such as jojoba, almond or grapeseed oil, and applied directly on the skin. It is great for anti-aging, skin rejuvenation, and wound treatment. You can also mix a few drops into an unscented lotion. 

Myrrh is also known to relieve digestive problems such as stomach upset, diarrhea and indigestion. However, it should not be taken internally without the supervision of a healthcare provider.

About the Author: Kaliana has been studying natural healing since 1976. She developed her own line of aromatherapy products for emotions in 1995. She is a gifted intuitive, Master Energy Healer, author of 4 books, professional speaker, and offers private consulting for spiritual women and moms.

Kaliana is a certified Phyto-Aromatologist, graduated from Queens University as a Presidential Scholar, sat on the Board for Eating Disorders at The University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, holds a 4-year Advanced Certification from the Mastery of the Heart School, and teaches certified courses for Continuing Education Hours by NCBTMB.