Myrrh

Myrrh is a gum resin which exudes from the stem of the myrrh bush. It emerges as a pale yellow liquid, but hardens to a reddish brown tear no larger than a walnut. The resin has an aromatic smell but a bitter taste; it has excellent astringent and healing properties. While it is solvent in both water and alcohol, the best way to use myrrh is in a tincture form. This tincture is available in drugstores.

Myrrh is marvelous for any mouth problems, and the diluted tincture can be added to water or combined with goldenseal powder to brush the teeth, rinse the mouth, or massage the gums. When combined with goldenseal, it is quite effective on gum problems and mouth sores.

Use diluted myrrh tincture to wash invalids and control the formation of bedsores. Alternate this wash with application of comfrey and/or calendula ointment.

Myrrh is much used in Chinese herbal medicine, especially for wounds and uterine discharges.