✵The article records the herb Myrrh, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources—two plant species: (1) Commiphora myrrha Engl. and (2) Balsamodendron ehrenbergianum Berg.—as well as detailed descriptions of the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these two species; the macroscopic characteristics of the herb Myrrh; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Myrrha (Myrrh)
Pinyin Name: Mò Yào
English Name: Myrrh
Latin Name:Myrrha Properties and Flavor: Neutral in nature, bitter
Brief Introduction: The herb Myrrha is a gum-resin obtained from the stems of Commiphora molmol Engler and possibly other related species. It is used to relieve pain and swelling in traumatic injuries. The herb is commonly known as Myrrha, Myrrh, or Mò Yào.
Botanical Source: Traditional herbal classics define the herb Myrrh (Mo Yao) as the oleo-gum-resin derived from plants of the Burseraceae family (frankincense family), genus Commiphora—specifically (1) Commiphora myrrha Engl., and other species of the same genus., or (2) Balsamodendron ehrenbergianum Berg. These two species are described below:
(1) Commiphora myrrha Engl.
Botanical Description:Commiphora myrrha Engl. is a shrub or small tree belonging to the Burseraceae family and the genus Commiphora. It is also known as Commiphora molmol Engler. Common names include Myrrh, Mo Yao, Bal, Bol, Bola, Heerabol, gum myrrh, mo yao, and myrrha. Commiphora molmol is now regarded as a synonym of Commiphora myrrha, though it may historically refer specifically to “African myrrh” or “Somali myrrh.” Plants are low shrubs or trees reaching up to approximately 3 meters in height. Trunks are thick and covered with numerous irregularly spiny, pointed, thick branches; bark is thin, smooth, exfoliating in small pale orange-brown flakes, later turning grayish. Leaves are scattered or tufted, simple or trifoliolate; leaflets are inverted ovate-oblong or oblanceolate; the central leaflet measures 7–18 mm in length and 4–5 mm in width (up to 8 mm wide), markedly larger than the two lateral leaflets; the apex is blunt, with entire margins or slightly serrated at the tip.
Flowers are small and grow in tufts on short shoots; the calyx is cyathiform (cup-shaped), persistent, with four blunt teeth; the corolla is white, with four oblong or linear-oblong lobes, erect; there are eight stamens, projecting from the margin of the short cyathiform (cotyloid) floral disc, erect and unequal in length; the ovary is trilocular, the style is short and thick, and the stigma is capitate.
Drupes are oval (egg-shaped), with a pointed apex, smooth and brown surface; the epicarp is coriaceous or pulpy. Each fruit contains one to three seeds, but only one typically matures; the others become atrophied. Flowering occurs in summer.
Ecological Environment:Commiphora myrrha Engl. grows on hilly terrain at altitudes of 500–1,500 meters above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herb occurs as irregular granules or agglomerated lumps and blocks, varying in size, with diameters ranging from about 2.5 cm to over 6 cm. The surface is yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, sometimes exhibiting alternating yellow and brown zones, and is covered with yellowish dust. The semi-transparent portions appear brownish-black; the surface is dull, though dull and glossy areas may alternate. Occasionally, fragments of bark and sawdust are present. The texture is firm and brittle; the fractured surface is granular, with an oily luster; thin sections are luminous or translucent when broken. The herb possesses a distinctive aromatic odor and an intensely bitter, slightly pungent taste; it is sticky to the teeth upon chewing.
Pharmacological Actions: (1) Inhibitory effects against various pathogenic fungi; (2) Reduction of blood cholesterol levels; (3) Astringent effects on mucous membranes.
Medicinal efficacy: Promotes blood circulation to dispel stasis, alleviates pain, reduces swelling, and promotes granulation (tissue regeneration). It is indicated for: chest obstruction and cardiac pain; epigastric pain; abdominal pain; chest and abdominal distending pain; dysmenorrhea; amenorrhea; postpartum blood stasis; abdominal masses with pain; rheumatic pain; acute appendicitis (periappendiceal abscess); nebula (mild corneal opacity); red, swollen, and painful eyes; traumatic injury; incised (e.g., metal-inflicted) wounds; anal fistula; carbuncles, swellings, and ulcerated sores.
Administration of Myrrha (Mò Yào):
Reference:
Administration Guide for Myrrha (Mò Yào)
TCM Books:
(1) Internally: 3–5 grams, deoiled and processed; formulated into pills or powders. (2) Internally: water decoction, 1–3 qián (≈3–9 grams), , or formulated into pills or powders. External use: apply an appropriate amount of finely powdered herb as a paste. (3) Internally: water decoction, 3–10 grams, or formulated into pills or powders. External use: apply an appropriate amount of finely powdered herb as a paste.
Contraindications, Precautions, and Adverse Reactions: Myrrha should be used with caution during pregnancy or in cases of gastric deficiency (weakness of stomach). It is contraindicated during pregnancy. It is best avoided in postpartum conditions with excessive lochia discharge or pain due to deficiency. It is also best avoided in cases of red, painful eyes (hot eyes) or mild nebula not caused by blood-heat.
(2) Balsamodendron ehrenbergianum Berg.
Botanical Description:Balsamodendron ehrenbergianum Berg. is a shrub or small tree belonging to the Burseraceae family (frankincense family). Though historically placed in the genus Balsamodendron, modern taxonomic treatment classifies it within the genus Commiphora; thus, it is now widely accepted as Commiphora erythraea Engl. or Commiphora schimperi Engl. It is commonly known as Ailunbao Mo Yao. Plants are small, spineless shrubs or trees. Leaves are trifoliolate, tufted, grow on short branches, long-petiolate, glabrous or pubescent; leaflets are obovate or oblong, with a mucronate or obtuse apex. One or two flowers emerge from the leaf axils; the pedicel bears two peduncles. Drupes are oval (egg-shaped), slightly flattened, slightly protuberant on one side, podiform (pod-like), unilocular, with a hard, yellow epicarp; seeds lack endosperm.
Ecological Environment:Balsamodendron ehrenbergianum Berg. grows in coastal regions on both sides of the Red Sea.
✵The article records the herb Myrrh, including its English name, Latin name, Pinyin name, properties and flavor, botanical sources—two plant species: (1) Commiphora myrrha Engl. and (2) Balsamodendron ehrenbergianum Berg.—as well as detailed descriptions of the botanical features, growth characteristics, and ecological environments of these two species; the macroscopic characteristics of the herb Myrrh; its pharmacological actions, medicinal efficacy, and administration guidelines.
Pinyin Name: Mò Yào
Botanical Description: Commiphora myrrha Engl. is a shrub or small tree belonging to the Burseraceae family and the genus Commiphora. It is also known as Commiphora molmol Engler. Common names include Myrrh, Mo Yao, Bal, Bol, Bola, Heerabol, gum myrrh, mo yao, and myrrha. Commiphora molmol is now regarded as a synonym of Commiphora myrrha, though it may historically refer specifically to “African myrrh” or “Somali myrrh.” Plants are low shrubs or trees reaching up to approximately 3 meters in height. Trunks are thick and covered with numerous irregularly spiny, pointed, thick branches; bark is thin, smooth, exfoliating in small pale orange-brown flakes, later turning grayish. Leaves are scattered or tufted, simple or trifoliolate; leaflets are inverted ovate-oblong or oblanceolate; the central leaflet measures 7–18 mm in length and 4–5 mm in width (up to 8 mm wide), markedly larger than the two lateral leaflets; the apex is blunt, with entire margins or slightly serrated at the tip.
Flowers are small and grow in tufts on short shoots; the calyx is cyathiform (cup-shaped), persistent, with four blunt teeth; the corolla is white, with four oblong or linear-oblong lobes, erect; there are eight stamens, projecting from the margin of the short cyathiform (cotyloid) floral disc, erect and unequal in length; the ovary is trilocular, the style is short and thick, and the stigma is capitate.
Ecological Environment: Commiphora myrrha Engl. grows on hilly terrain at altitudes of 500–1,500 meters above sea level.
Characteristics of the Herb: The herb occurs as irregular granules or agglomerated lumps and blocks, varying in size, with diameters ranging from about 2.5 cm to over 6 cm. The surface is yellowish-brown to reddish-brown, sometimes exhibiting alternating yellow and brown zones, and is covered with yellowish dust. The semi-transparent portions appear brownish-black; the surface is dull, though dull and glossy areas may alternate. Occasionally, fragments of bark and sawdust are present. The texture is firm and brittle; the fractured surface is granular, with an oily luster; thin sections are luminous or translucent when broken. The herb possesses a distinctive aromatic odor and an intensely bitter, slightly pungent taste; it is sticky to the teeth upon chewing.
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