Oh, Myrrh Goodness! The Sacred Plant Medicine that is Revolutionizing the Healthcare Field.
- Dunia Rose Rodriguez
- Jan 14, 2020
- 6 min read
Myrrh is made out of a yellow oleo-gum resin in the stem of the commiphora myrrha tree that is native to regions in Africa and Arabia. The commiphora myrrha is a small tree that produces a sap that hardens into the resin known as myrrh. Because of its chemical composition and versatility, widespread use, as well as its effectiveness -both in spiritual practice, and medical application- myrrh essential oil has been valued across many cultures for centuries, and will be for centuries to come. With countless applications, myrrh was used anciently for everything from medicine to religious and meditative purposes. Today, the resin extracted from the myrrh tree is transformed into a herbaceous, woody essential oil that captures all of the resin's effectiveness in a drop. Whether you want to enhance your mental health and balance, promote smooth, even and youthful-looking skin, promote emotional well-being and cellular balance, or cleanse the body, Myrrh essential oil is a useful addition to your at-home natural medicine cabinet. Here are a few reasons why!
Chemistry and Medicinal Benefits of Myrrh Essential Oil Main Chemical Components: Furanoedudesma, 1,3-diene, and curzerene.
Every bottle of essential oil contains a unique blend of chemical constituents that give it its unique physiological effects as nature's pharmaceutical agents. These compounds are highly volatile -having small molecular weight, they quickly evaporate- and they are organic, meaning their chemical structures are primarily composed of carbon atoms. Constituents of essential oils include mono-, di-, and sesquiterpenes which are the chemical constituents which produce therapeutic effects through their interaction with cellular targets when ingested, applied topically, or smelled aromatically. Some constituents can attach to receptors located on the outside of a cell to influence changes within it, while others can readily pass through the cellular membrane and bind to enzymes, proteins, and even DNA causing positive alterations in production and function. Understanding how essential oils induce therapeutic effects through chemical interactions can lead to a renewed sense of confidence in their use and inspire new opportunities for application in daily life.
Due to its chemical design, Myrrh oil has proven to be helpful for cellular detox and cleansing, improving the appearance of skin due to its cleansing effects, and promoting grounding and soothing feelings or the balancing of emotions. The essential oils are able to profoundly affect our brain chemistry and thus positively affecting our mood. The sesquiterpene ethers in Myrrh which make up the chemistry of the oil giving it its properties are known for their soothing-like properties, which is why Myrrh is useful for soothing the skin or soothing emotions. One of the primary sesquiterpene ethers in Myrrh oil, curzerene, is commonly added to skin care products available in most stores because of its ability to improve the appearance of skin. Here you are getting a Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oil which preserves the plants highest essence and quality for the best natural results. Some studies have observed anticancer effects in both Myrrh and Frankincense, however, myrrh's unique chemical composition seems to be much more effective increasing natural cellular apoptosis in cancer cells. In this specific study small amounts of myrrh and frankincense were used with various types of cancer cells showing positive results, based on the specific components of both essential oils they have been identified to have specific components (monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes) which are capable of inducing cancer cellular death, or apoptosis. The anti-proliferative activity of myrrh is still being studied by scientists globally, but current studies show to be promising [1].
"Sesquiterpenes have anticancer activities that are likely to arrest the proliferation of prostate cancer cells in the G0/G1 phase of cellular replication."
Myrrh Essential Oil Daily Uses and Benefits
1. Myrrh oil is well-known for its ability to cleanse the mouth and throat, in order to take full advantage of the cleansing properties of Myrrh essential oil, try incorporating it into your daily oral hygiene routine, you won't regret this. Myrrh leaves your teeth feeling amazingly clean, and free of tar and bacterial build-up. Or, for an effective mouth rinse, combine one drop of Myrrh oil and two ounces of water. Then gargle the rinse for 30 seconds for an extra clean feeling and spit it out.
2. Another benefit of Myrrh oil is that it promotes a youthful-looking complexion and offers a soothing sensation to the skin due to one of the main sesquiterpenes that make up this essential oil, curzerene. Use Myrrh oil for beautiful glowing skin, and consider adding one or two drops of the oil to your daily lotion or moisturizer for daily preventative, and regenerative skin health benefits. Our skin is the main layer of our immune-system, and we encounter so many chemicals and environmental toxins daily that it is important to protect ourselves from these harmful pollutants by incorporating this easy, simple to use beauty routine. By incorporating Myrrh oil into your skincare routine, you can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles, especially when used daily.
3. In addition to its benefits for the skin, Myrrh oil can be helpful for improving the health of your nails. If your cuticles are lacking hydration, try this DIY Cuticle Cream to help give your nails the moisture they need. With four simple ingredients—shea butter, beeswax, doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil, and Myrrh oil, your nails will soon find relief. This concoction can also be used on the hands, lips, or any dry skin.
4. If you are looking for a more unique diffuser option, aside from floral or citrus essential oils, Myrrh oil is the perfect choice. Try diffusing Myrrh oil when you feel yourself or your enviornment becoming tense. This will help to promote emotional balance and well-being. You can also diffuse Myrrh oil when you want to uplift your mood or promote awareness. Myrrh essential oil is a popular oil to diffuse during the holidays because it can help maintain peaceful feelings throughout the home.
5. The soothing benefits of Myrrh essential oil are very useful when it comes to shaving. Avoid irritated skin after shaving with this easy DIY Razor Relief Serum. This serum uses some of the best essential oils for skin, including Frankincense, Lavender, Melaleuca, Helichrysum, and Myrrh to help keep the skin calm and diminish any reactions after a shave. The lovely scent created by this combination of oils will linger on your skin, and helps you escape the irritation of razor bumps every time you shave. The added bonus to this recipe is that it works well for both men and women.
6. Sometimes you just need to have an at-home spa night. Myrrh essential oil really comes in handy in this situation. For example, you can mix two or three drops of Myrrh oil with doTERRA Spa Lotion to help add a smooth touch to callused or dry feet. You can also mix Lemon, Frankincense, and Myrrh oil (10 drops of each) with doTERRA Fractionated Coconut Oil to help soften the cuticles. If you are looking for more at-home spa treatments, take a look at our Girls Guide from the Living Magazine.
7. Bruising is caused by blood pooling in the area of impact. The pooling is what creates that unsightly purple-blue look. When caring for a bruise, you first need to reduce blood flow to the area. Keep that part of the body elevated, wrap ice in a cloth, and apply it to the spot that was hit or bumped. This helps keep blood from pooling in the bruised tissue, and therefore reduces discoloration.
Lightly massaging the area can also keep blood from pooling, minimizing the bruising. Essential oils are a great addition to any massage. In addition to providing a pleasant scent, some are particularly soothing to the skin and provide other helpful benefits.
Once the area has been iced, combine one to two drops of either Helichrysum or Myrrh oil to enough Fractionated Coconut Oil to cover the bruised area. Depending on the severity of the bruise, you may consider applying heat to the area after 24 hours of icing. You can use an electric heating pad, rice bag, or heated water bottle. Apply heat to the area 20 minutes at a time throughout the day until the bruise has healed.
8. Add one to two drops of myrrh and copaiba essential oil to your favorite tea blend with honey and enjoy. Remember heat alters the chemical composition of essential oils. Add the drops of essential oil in when you have let the tea cool down just a bit, this helps protect the integrity of the chemistry of the essential oil while your tea cools down.
Oils that Blend Well with Myrrh Essential Oil
Myrrh can be categorized as one of the wood essential oils because of the smoky, dry aroma of Myrrh oil is rather unique; however, the woody and herbaceous notes of the oil allow it to blend well with the spicy, floral, or citrus essential oils creating a harmonious chemistry and scent. Try blending Myrrh oil with any warm, spicy oil like Frankincense, Sandalwood, or Clove. For an intriguing, fresh scent, blend Myrrh with floral or leafy oils like Lavender, Eucalyptus, or Jasmine. When you want to produce a sweet, herbaceous scent, consider blending Myrrh with Lemon, Juniper Berry, or Grapefruit essential oil.
Cautions Possible skin sensitivity. Keep out of reach of children. If you are pregnant, nursing, or under a doctor’s care, consult your physician. Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.
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Big Virtual Hugs and lots of Love,
Dunia Rose,
xoxo.
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