Myrrh Family

Balm of Gilead An aromatic ointment prepared from a small Asiatic and African tree of the myrrh family. Balm of Mecca. 

Weeks, A., Daly, D.C., and Simpson, B.B., The phylogenetic history and biogeography of the frankincense and myrrh family (Bnrseraceae) based upon nuclear and chloroplast sequence. Mol. Phylogenetics... 

This family occurs in tropical America and in the northeastern portions of Africa. The latter region s species are most familiar as sources of frankincense and myrrh since biblical times. Some have use as ornamentals. 

Frankincense or olibanum is an aromatic resin that is used as incense. It is the dried milky sap of trees in the genus Boswellia. Myrrh is the dried sap of trees in the genus Commiphora. Both of these genera are in the family Burseraceae, which also includes olives. Myrrh is used in perfumes and as incense. Both frankincense and myrrh were used as trade items, and their most popular uses were as incense at funerals and as additives in wine. 

RHATTANY ROOT, Rathanhiae radix is the root of Krameria triandra Ruiz et Pav, family Krameriaceae, a semibush, which grows in the Andes (Peru). The root is mostly used as a tincture usually together with tincture of myrrh for the local treatment of inflammations in the oral cavity. 

Myrtle (Myrtus communis) is an evergreen shrub, the essential oil of which is much prized in perfumery. On the other hand, myrrh (Hebrew murr = bitter) refers to the resin of the tree Commiphora myrrha, from the balscim family, which is used in embalming. 

Oleo-gum-resin exudes from incisions made in bark of myrrh trees (family Burseraceae) in North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula— Commiphora molmol—and India—C. mukul— where it is known as guggul. The main constituents are resin 25-40%, gum 60%, volatile oil 2.5-8% along with a bitter principle. Its actions are antiseptic, antimicrobial, astringent and stimulant. 

Gum resins are secreted by some plants. They contain essential oils, resins and gums that form gels in water. A well-known gum resin is myrrh, an extract from gum myrrh plants of the family Burseraceae, such as Commiphora habessinka (syn. C. abyssinica). 

Extracted from the stem of different Commiphora spp.—C. myrrha (Nees) Engl., C. habessinica (O. Berg) Engl, C. wightii (Arn.) Bhandari—Burseraceae family, myrrh oleo gum resin has been known since ancient times due to its medicinal properties [397], In the drug industry, myrrh oleo gum resin may be used as directly compressible tablet excipient and release retardant [398] and as binder, release retardant and mucoadhesive for the preparation and evaluation of controlled release bioadhesive matrix tablets of domperidone [399]. 

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