
Background
Myrrh is used for problems in the stomach and intestines, congestion, parasite infections, and many other conditions, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses.
In foods and beverages, myrrh is used as a flavoring component.
In manufacturing, myrrh is used as a fragrance, in incense, and as a fixative in cosmetics. It is also used in embalming.
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19): Some experts warn that myrrh may interfere with the body's response against COVID-19. There is no strong data to support this warning. But there is also no good data to support using myrrh for COVID-19.
Safety Safety definitions
When applied to the skin: Myrrh is POSSIBLY SAFE for most people when applied to the skin or diluted in a bath. It can cause some side effects such as skin rash.
Special Precautions & Warnings:
Pregnancy and breast-feeding: Taking myrrh by mouth during pregnancy is LIKELY UNSAFE and should be avoided. Myrrh can stimulate the uterus and might cause a miscarriage. There isn't enough reliable information to know if myrrh is safe to use on the skin when pregnant. Stay on the safe side and avoid use. There isn't enough reliable information to know if myrrh is safe to use when breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.Fever: Myrrh might make a fever worse. Use with caution.
Heart problems: Large amounts of myrrh can affect heart rate. If you have a heart condition, get your healthcare provider's advice before starting myrrh.
Surgery: Since myrrh might affect blood glucose levels, there is a concern that it might interfere with blood glucose control during and after surgery. Stop using myrrh at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Uterine bleeding: Myrrh seems to be able to stimulate uterine bleeding, which is why some people use it to start their menstrual periods. If you have a uterine bleeding condition, use myrrh with caution, since it might make this condition worse.
Effectiveness
- A disease caused by parasitic worms (schistosomiasis). Schistosomiasis is a disease caused by parasitic worms. Taking myrrh does not cure this infection in most children and adults.
- Infection of the liver by a parasitic worm (fasciolosis). Some research shows that taking myrrh for 6 days can cure fasciolosis. But other research shows that taking myrrh doesn't work for this infection.
- Infection of the intestines by parasites. Cryptosporidiosis is a disease caused by parasites in the intestines. Early research shows that taking myrrh along with the drug paromomycin helps treat this infection better than taking the drug alone. But taking myrrh alone doesn't work as well as taking myrrh along with the drug.
- Miscarriage. Early research in adults with partial miscarriage shows that taking myrrh 500 mg three times a day for 2 weeks may help the body to clear the contents of the miscarriage.
- Acute pain. Early research suggests that taking a specific myrrh extract might help to reduce several types of acute pain.
- Chronic pain. Early research suggests that taking a specific myrrh extract might help to reduce several types of chronic pain.
- A sexually transmitted infection caused by Trichomonas vaginalis (trichomoniasis). Trichomoniasis is a sexually transmitted disease caused by a parasite. Early research shows that taking myrrh for 6-8 days may help cure this infection in women who are not cured after taking the drugs metronidazole and tinidazole.
- Wound healing. Early research in patients that required a surgical cut at the opening of their vagina as part of childbirth (episiotomy) shows that taking a bath with myrrh 10-20 mL diluted in 5 L of water twice a day for 7 days might reduce redness and improve healing by a small amount.
- A long-term disorder of the large intestines that causes stomach pain (irritable bowel syndrome or IBS).
- A type of inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn disease).
- A type of inflammatory bowel disease (ulcerative colitis).
- Asthma.
- Bad breath.
- Cancer.
- Chapped lips.
- Colds.
- Congestion.
- Cough.
- Diarrhea.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Indigestion.
- Infections of the kidney, bladder, or urethra (urinary tract infections or UTIs).
- Leprosy.
- Muscle spasms.
- Parasites.
- Sore mouth or throat.
- Syphilis.
- Ulcers.
- Other conditions.
Dosing & administration
Interactions with pharmaceuticals
Medications for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Myrrh might decrease blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking myrrh along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase PresTabs, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Interaction Rating=Moderate Be cautious with this combination.
Warfarin (Coumadin) is used to slow blood clotting. Taking myrrh might decrease how well warfarin (Coumadin) works to slow blood clotting. This could increase the chance of blood clotting.
Interactions with herbs & supplements
Interactions with foods
Action
Products
View all products- Commiphora myrrha (Mo Yao) ext. 11.31 mg
- Paeonia lactiflora ext. 18.84 mg
- Angelica polymorpha ext. 18.84 mg
- Daemonorops draco ext. 11.31 mg
- Drynaria fortunei ext. 11.31 mg
- Dipsacus asper ext. 11.31 mg
- Prunus persica ext. 11.31 mg
- Boswellia carterii ext. 11.31 mg
- Sparganium stoloniferum ext. 11.31 mg
- Curcuma zedoaria ext. 11.31 mg
- Paeonia suffruticosa ext. 11.31 mg
- Saposhnikovia divaricata ext. 11.31 mg
- Citrus aurantium ext. 11.31 mg
- Curcuma longa ext. 11.31 mg
- Platycodon grandiflorus ext. 11.31 mg
- Panax notoginseng ext. 7.53 mg
- Glycyrrhiza uralensis ext. 6.27 mg
- Carthamus tinctorius ext. 11.31 mg
- Corydalis turtschaninovii ext. 18.84 mg
- Cyathula officinalis ext. 15.06 mg
- Paeonia veitchii ext. 18.84 mg
- Salvia miltiorrhiza ext. 18.84 mg
- Siphonestegia chinesis ext. 11.31 mg