Native to northeast Africa and areas of Arabia adjacent to the Red Sea. The tree produces a pale yellow liquid from cuts in its bark, which on contact with air becomes a hard, brittle reddish-brown. The resin is often exported, then distilled in Europe. Myrrh was used by the ancient Egyptians, for embalming and as a medicine and an incense ingredient; the resin has been found in pots placed in burials and tombs. Known as a wound healer for millennia. Famously given as a gift to baby Jesus. Myrrh has been in use as a spiritual fumigant for thousands of years and remains today in the British Pharmacopoeia.

• Principal places of production Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan
• When buying look for A viscous, dark greenish-yellow through amber-brown liquid with a warm, slightly musty, earthy, balsamic aroma. The term sweet myrrh usually refers to the essential oil of opoponax, which is generally not used in aromatherapy.
• Therapeutic properties Antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, balsamic, carminative, cicatrizing, expectorant, pectoral, vulnerary
• Therapeutic uses Coughs, catarrh, bronchitis, bronchial congestion, wounds, sores, ulcerations, eczema, skin infection, ringworm, scabies, insect bites, parasitic bites, intestinal disorders, excess mucus, gum disease, mouth ulcers, fungal nail infection
• Blends well with Benzoin, black pepper, cajuput, cardamom, cedarwood, chamomile german, chamomile roman, elemi, frankincense, geranium, ginger, greenland moss, hyssop decumbens, lavandin, lavender, lemon, mastic, may chang, myrtle, niaouli, turmeric
• Precautionary advice Avoid during pregnancy and while breast-feeding.

Native to northeast Africa and areas of Arabia adjacent to the Red Sea. The tree produces a pale yellow liquid from cuts in its bark, which on contact with air becomes a hard, brittle reddish-brown. The resin is often exported, then distilled in Europe. Myrrh was used by the ancient Egyptians, for embalming and as a medicine and an incense ingredient; the resin has been found in pots placed in burials and tombs. Known as a wound healer for millennia. Famously given as a gift to baby Jesus. Myrrh has been in use as a spiritual fumigant for thousands of years and remains today in the British Pharmacopoeia.

• Principal places of production Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan
• When buying look for A viscous, dark greenish-yellow through amber-brown liquid with a warm, slightly musty, earthy, balsamic aroma. The term sweet myrrh usually refers to the essential oil of opoponax, which is generally not used in aromatherapy.
• Therapeutic properties Antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, balsamic, carminative, cicatrizing, expectorant, pectoral, vulnerary
• Therapeutic uses Coughs, catarrh, bronchitis, bronchial congestion, wounds, sores, ulcerations, eczema, skin infection, ringworm, scabies, insect bites, parasitic bites, intestinal disorders, excess mucus, gum disease, mouth ulcers, fungal nail infection
• Blends well with Benzoin, black pepper, cajuput, cardamom, cedarwood, chamomile german, chamomile roman, elemi, frankincense, geranium, ginger, greenland moss, hyssop decumbens, lavandin, lavender, lemon, mastic, may chang, myrtle, niaouli, turmeric
• Precautionary advice Avoid during pregnancy and while breast-feeding.