What is Myrrh?

Myrrh is the hardened resin, or dried sap, of Commiphora myrrha, a small thorny tree in the family Burseraceae native to the Horn of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. When the bark is cut, the tree exudes a sap that dries into solid amber-brown "tears." We supply Myrrh as these natural resin tears.

About the resin

Myrrh has been one of the most prized aromatic resins in human trade for more than three thousand years. It appears in ancient Egyptian embalming, in Greek and Roman writing, in Traditional Chinese Medicine, and in the Bible as one of the gifts of the Magi. Its aroma comes from sesquiterpene compounds such as furanodiene and lindestrene. The tree grows in the dry scrublands of Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Yemen, and Oman.

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Form & sizes

We carry Myrrh as natural hardened resin tears, sold by weight in sizes from 1 oz to 1 lb. It has a long traditional history as an incense and aromatic. We make no health or therapeutic claims.

Storage

Store Myrrh resin in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and humidity. The resin can soften in warm conditions, so a cool, dry spot keeps the tears firm and aromatic.

Myrrh at a glance

Botanical name

Commiphora myrrha

Family

Burseraceae

Native region

Horn of Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula

Form

Hardened resin tears (amber-brown chunks)

Sizes

1 oz to 1 lb