-IBIS-1.7.0-
rx
herb
Commiphora spp. (Myrrh)
Botanicals

definition

botanical name(s): Commiphora myrrha, Commiphora abyssinica, Commiphora

opobalsamum, Commiphora molmol

synonyms: myrrh, gum myrrh, myrrhe

part(s) used: oleo-gum resin

qualities: bitter, pungent, warm, dry

affinities:

actions: anticatarrhal, antimicrobial, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, expectorant, stimulant

dosage:

» tincture: 2 - 5 ml.

specific indications: mucous membranes pale and lax; tonsils enlarged and spongy; throat pale and tumid; chronic bronchitis with profuse secretion of mucus or muco- pus, difficult to expectorate; soreness and sponginess of gums; ptyalism; weight and dragging in pelvis in females; leukorrhea; muscular debility (Felter and Scudder, p. 483)

therapy:

» external: spongy and bleeding gums; sore throat with aphthous or sloughing ulcers; chronic pharyngitis with tumid, pallid membranes and elongated uvula; spongy, enlarged tonsils (Felter and Scudder, p. 483)

» internal: enfeebled conditions with excessive mucous secretion, especially in the bronchial and renal mucosa; chronic bronchitis; chronic gastritis; atonic dyspepsia (Felter and Scudder, p. 483); pharyngitis; respiratory catarrh; common cold; furunculosis; mouth ulcers; gingivitis (British Herbal Pharmacopoeia, p. 73)

AHPA Botanical Safety Rating: 2b, 2d; contraindicated in excessive uterine bleeding (McGuffin)

toxicity: 1

» contraindicated during pregnancy (Felter and Lloyd, p. 1300) due to its emmenagogue and abortifacient effects (Brinker, Farnsworth)

» contraindicated in fever since it augments the heat of the body (Felter and Lloyd)

» contraindicated during arterial agitation or excitement since large doses can accelerate the pulse (Felter and Lloyd)

» contraindicated in internal inflammatory conditions since large doses can cause gastric burning (Felter and Lloyd)

» Some toxic effects have been noted including increased body temperature, increased pulse rate, and diaphoresis. Gastric heat and burning can also occur with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and prostration (Felter and Lloyd, p. 1300)

constituents: volatile oil, furanosesquiterpenes, resins, gums, sterols

drug interactions:

» precipitates when mixed with water and adheres to the container (Ruddiman)

footnotes

Brinker F. 1996. The Toxicology of Botanical Medicines, rev. 2nd ed., Sandy, Oregon: Eclectic Medical Publications.

British Herbal Medical Association. 1983. British Herbal Pharmacopoeia. West Yorks, England: The British Herbal Medical Association.

Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, Crane FA, Fong HHS. 1975. Potential Value of Plants as Sources of New Antifertility Agents I. J. Pharm. Sci., 64:535-98.

Felter, H. W.; Lloyd, J. U. 1983. King's American Dispensatory, Vols. I and II. Portland, OR: Eclectic Medical Publications.

Felter, H.W. & Scudder, John K., 1922. The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics. Cincinnati, Ohio. Reprinted in 1985 by Eclectic Medical Publications, Portland, OR.