Myrrh
Commiphora Myrrha
Myrrh Oil is one of the oldest oils recorded, used during biblical times and also cementing itself into modern day aromatherapy. It is an antibacterial and antioxidant oil, boasting benefits such as improving oral health and alleviates muscle pain or swelling.
History of Myrrh Oil
Myrrh Oil is made from the sap/resin from the Commiphora Myrrha tree, which is related to the frankincense tree. Throughout ancient history, the scent of myrrh was associated with sombre occasions such as funerals, where the resin would be burnt over hot coals. The name myrrh comes from the Arabic word ‘murr’ which means bitter; in fact myrrh does have a slightly bitter scent, even when burnt. Myrrh was used in religious ceremonies and prayer, and it was found to be a substance which was highly respected in the spiritual world. Those who live in a Christian country will know that some of the earliest references of myrrh was in the old testament of the Bible, where it was brought to baby Jesus.
Myrrh was also used as medicine in Ancient China, dating as far back as 600A.D. It can stimulate blood circulation and soothe pain, and the oil as well as the solid substance was popular to relieve discomforts from a lot of issues like swelling, sores, cramps and pain associated with disease. Myrrh Oil specifically was popularly used in the embalming process, as well as a natural disinfectant.
Today, Myrrh Oil and myrrh is popularly used on a commercial scale across the beauty and healthcare industries, specifically in dentistry, skincare and perfumery. It can be used to relieve toothache, as well as doubling up as a beautiful scent which can be layered amongst other fragrance notes to create a high end perfume.
So, why is Myrrh Oil popular today?
Due to its versatility and global accessibility it has cemented itself into a number of commercial industries, with products related to healthcare, beauty and perfumery including myrrh in some capacity within their products.
For example, Jo Malone, Lancome and Chanel are just some of the large fashion/beauty houses which have used myrrh in their fragrance range, some of which are classics and will never be discontinued. Overall Myrrh Oil has a gorgeous scent, and when used in aromatherapy can work to help alter your mood and improve practices such as meditation or yoga due to the almost sedating effect that the scent has. It is an incredibly popular oil which can cover practically all the bases that you’d want an essential oil to be capable of!
Extracting Myrrh Oil
Like most essential oils, Myrrh Oil is made using a process called steam distillation. Its composition when solid is practically identical to frankincense, which is also put through a steam distillation process to make the oil. Myrrh in its solid form is essentially hardened sap/resin from the tree, which when first extracted is sticky, with its consistency being similar to set honey.
Once it has oxidised it then becomes solid, and easier to work with - like wax. The resin is then put into the steam distiller, where steam is used to gently lift the essential oil from the resin, where it later will sit on top of the condensed water at the end of the process. It can then be skimmed from the top and put into bottles; and that’s how you make Myrrh Oil.
Can I make Myrrh Oil at home?
In theory, providing you have access to enough resin and own a distiller, you could in fact make your own Myrrh Oil. Myrrh is slightly more expensive than frankincense to buy in its resin form, so you may find that it's more costly to make this essential oil in the comfort of your own home. However, if you’re interested in making your own blends (for example frankincense and myrrh combined is very popular) then you could do this easily at home.
Please note that in some countries, accessing myrrh will be a lot more expensive and if that’s the case, you may be better off buying the essential oil from a respected distributor if it’s going to cost you more to make the oil yourself.
What do you think of Myrrh Oil? Have you made it at home before and what was the outcome? As always, the Essentially Yours team loves to hear how you’re using your oils and getting the most out of them. So, feel free to reach out to one of the team today.
Can I make Myrrh Oil at home?
In theory, providing you have access to enough resin and own a distiller, you could in fact make your own Myrrh Oil. Myrrh is slightly more expensive than frankincense to buy in its resin form, so you may find that it's more costly to make this essential oil at home. However, if you’re interested in making your own blends (for example frankincense and myrrh combined is very popular) then you could do this easily at home.
In some countries, accessing myrrh will be a lot more expensive and if that’s the case, you may be better off buying the essential oil from a respected distributor.
What do you think of Myrrh Oil? Have you made it at home before and what was the outcome? As always, the Essentially Yours team loves to hear how you’re using your oils and getting the most out of them. So, feel free to reach out to one of the team today.
Myrrh Oil Varieties
Myrrh Oil Varieties
There are two varieties of the myrrh sap that are commonly used. These are Herabol Myrrh and Bisabol Myrrh. Herabol grows in Ethiopia, Arabia and Somalia whereas Bisabol is mostly only found in Somalia. Bisabol is considered to be sweeter whereas Herabol is considered to be slightly more bitter. These are the two common resins which will be used to make an essential oil, and the main difference between the two is the scent - either slightly bitter or sweet depending on which oil you end up using. There isn’t any research to suggest that one is better than the other, it’s mostly the scent which differentiates them.
Which variety of Myrrh Oil should I be using?
As mentioned, there are no definitive reasons as to why you should use one variety over the other aside from its scent. If you’re someone who prefers a sweeter scented essential oil, you’d probably be better off buying the Bisabol variation, as this would also work very well in an electric diffuser as well as making your own perfume.
However, if the bitterness is something that you enjoy (if you like the bitterness of grapefruit for example) then you would probably enjoy using the Herabol variation. The bitter, ‘medicinal’ feel that oils like this can give off can be quite soothing, so this would probably work best to make ointments or muscle rubs which feel nourishing, and almost like a sedating effect when using it.
Or, if you’d like to try both - you can do that too. You may find that the sweeter Myrrh Oil works well for you blended with particular oils in comparison to the bitter version, or you may feel the opposite. With scent, a lot of the time, it’s down to personal preference.
What do you think of Myrrh Oil? Is it an essential in your collection? As always, the Essentially Yours team loves to hear how you’re using your oils. So, feel free to reach out and share your stories with one of the team today.
Which variety of Myrrh Oil should I be using?
As mentioned, there are no definitive reasons as to why you should use one variety over the other aside from its scent. If you’re someone who prefers a sweeter scented essential oil, you’d probably be better off buying the Bisabol variation, as this would also work very well in an electric diffuser as well as making your own perfume.
However, if the bitterness is something that you enjoy (if you like the bitterness of grapefruit for example) then you would probably enjoy using the Herabol variation. The bitter, ‘medicinal’ feel that oils like this can give off can be quite soothing, so this would probably work best to make ointments or muscle rubs which feel nourishing, and almost like a sedating effect when using it.
Or, if you’d like to try both - you can do that too. You may find that the sweeter Myrrh Oil works well for you blended with particular oils in comparison to the bitter version, or you may feel the opposite. With scent, a lot of the time, it’s down to personal preference.
What do you think of Myrrh Oil? Is it an essential in your collection? As always, the Essentially Yours team loves to hear how you’re using your oils. So, feel free to reach out and share your stories with one of the team today.
Benefits of Myrrh Oil
Myrrh Oil has been popular for thousands of years, and the oil is made by steam distilling the resin from the Commiphora Myrrha tree, which has relations to the frankincense tree. The scent can vary from sweet to bitter, depending on the variation. It has been used as a medicine, treating coughs, colds, and disinfecting cuts and wounds. Today, it is popular across commercial industries such as healthcare and beauty, with the oil commonly being used in perfumery and skincare.
So, what are the benefits of Myrrh Oil?
Reduces respiratory discomfort
Myrrh Oil has been known throughout history to be used to treat coughs, colds and respiratory discomfort. Inhaling the oil through steam or on its own can help to relax and calm a cough, whilst also making your chest feel less tight and your airways to open up. Similar to Eucalyptus Oil it has a relaxing effect, although this is more warming than eucalyptus, which can often feel cool and refreshing.
Antioxidant properties
The antioxidant properties in Myrrh Oil makes it perfectly placed to help with sickness and congested skin as it helps to detoxify, leaving you feeling fresh and clear. It works particularly well in skincare as it naturally moisturises the skin without clogging the pores, and can also tighten and brighten the skin, reducing the appearance of wrinkles and dark spots
Prevents hair loss
Using Myrrh Oil on your scalp and on the roots of your hair can help to promote hair growth, balance the oil production on your scalp and strengthen the hair that you already have.
Pain reliever
The scent of Myrrh Oil is almost sedating, which makes it perfectly placed to relieve muscle and joint pain. You can massage this in with a carrier oil on its own, or mix with another pain relieving essential oil to create a strong blend.
Antibacterial
Myrrh Oil was used throughout history to treat patients with cuts, bruises, wounds and scrapes. It is a strong antibacterial which can still be used today to treat minor issues.
Please note that the benefits of Myrrh Oil can vary from person to person, and what may work for someone else might not work for you. If you’re using the oil to treat any skin problems, please consult with your dermatologist if you are already on medication for your skin.
Uses of Myrrh Oil
Myrrh Oil has been used for thousands of years by multiple countries, cultures and religions. It has been used to ward off infection, fight disease, embalm bodies or set the atmosphere for meditation or prayer. Today, Myrrh Oil is mostly used in the perfumery, beauty and healthcare industries on a commercial scale, and has a unique scent which oozes luxury. It’s a slightly more expensive essential oil, but due to its versatility it has remained a key oil for many essential oil lovers to own.
So, what can you use Myrrh Oil for?
Aromatherapy
In aromatherapy Myrrh Oil can be used on its own or blended with others (for example frankincense) to create a calming and almost sedating aroma. It can make you feel calm as well as aiding restful sleep.
Skincare
Myrrh Oil is popular in skincare as it can work to combat breakouts as well as moisturising and tightening the skin, without causing excess oil buildup. You can blend this with a carrier oil like Jojoba Oil or add a few drops into your favourite serum to give your skin an extra boost.
Perfumery
There’s nothing nicer than smelling gorgeous, and Myrrh Oil does just that. If you don’t have the budget for a high end perfume which contains myrrh, then you can make your own perfume at home using your essential oil collection.
Massage
If you struggle with aches and pains in your muscles and joints, or menstrual pain, then Myrrh Oil can be used in massage to gently absorb the oil into the skin whilst also stimulating the area which is causing you pain. Mix with a carrier oil like Almond Oil or Jojoba Oil and you’ve got yourself a pain relieving massage oil.
Medicine
Myrrh Oil has been used for centuries in remedies for coughs, colds and other respiratory issues. You can either inhale the oil or massage it in to feel relief when you’re sick.
Home scent/DIY
If you want your home to smell gorgeous, you can always add the oil into your candles or an electric diffuser to scent your home effortlessly.
Blends well with
Here at Essentially Yours we love sharing our tips, tricks and knowledge with you so you can get the most out of each essential oil that you own. Whether it’s understanding the history and benefits of a particular oil, or finding the best blends - our website has all the information you’ll need, regardless whether you’re an expert or a beginner in this wonderful community. In this blog we’re going to talk about Myrrh Oil and what it blends well with. So, if you want to learn more - keep reading!
Jojoba Oil
Silky and nourishing, we love Jojoba Oil as it’s pretty much an odorless carrier oil which blends effortlessly with Myrrh Oil. This blend is great for facial oils, masks and serums which will boost your skin's moisture and elasticity, keeping breakouts and wrinkles at bay. Jojoba Oil is great if you have acne prone skin, as its composition is very similar to your skin’s natural oils.
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Coconut Oil
Rich, creamy and full of fatty acids, Coconut Oil is one of our favourite carrier oils to blend with Myrrh Oil as it can work as an excellent base for either a massage oil or a hair mask. Myrrh Oil works well to promote hair growth, so creating a blend which you can go to on a weekly basis to inject life, moisture and shine into your hair is great. It can also be used as a massage oil, but please note that if you’re making a blend with Coconut Oil to warm it up first, as it’s solid at room temperature.
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Almond Oil
Silky, sweet and soft, Almond Oil is great if you’re looking for a carrier oil which can work as a body moisturiser. It absorbs into the skin quickly, and combined with Myrrh Oil can make a great body oil which can help to smooth scars and stretch marks with continuous use.
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Frankincense Oil
Sister of myrrh, Frankincense Oil and Myrrh Oil work beautifully together to create a musky, intense and luxurious scent. Excellent in aromatherapy if you’re looking to de-stress, try adding a few drops of each oil into a hot bath to relax your muscles.
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Lavender Oil
We love Lavender Oil because of its versatility, it pairs with practically every essential oil on the market. We love this blend as it aids restful sleep and completely relaxes you - great after a stressful day.
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Clary Sage Oil
This pairing isn’t the best for the overall scent, but it is excellent if you’re struggling from chronic muscle and joint pain (menstrual pain, too). This blend works very well as a massage oil into the affected area to relieve pain.
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