Myrrh Gum Powder (Commiphora myrrha; Mo Yao) 1 lb

This is Starwest's nitrogen-flushed double wall silverfoil pack. Myrrh as the biblical story of the three wise men shows was one of the most desired and sought after items in the world. It was used as incense in religious rituals throughout the ancient world. It promotes spiritual awareness and is uplifting. The anti-infectious nature of this legendary incense plays an active role in many of today's herbal formulations. The bacteriostatic and antiseptic properties of the herb have been experimentally verified in North America Europe and China. The oleo-gum-resin is antiseptic to mucous membranes and curiously both inhibits over secretion as well as disinhibits under secretion of these tissues. Thus it normalizes mucous membrane activity. Myrrh is known to contain many volatile oils which make the herb ideally suited for promoting free breathing during congestive colds and for clearing out mucous-clogged passages in the body. The 1997 Commission E on Phytotherapy and Herbal Substances of the German Federal Institute for Drugs recommends Myrrh oleo-gum resin for 'Topical treatment of mild inflammations of the oral and pharyngeal mucosa.' 'Dosage: Myrrh tincture: Dab 2 - 3 times daily with undiluted tincture; As a rinse or gargle: 5 - 10 drops in a glass of water. In dental powders: 10 percent of powdered resin. Mode of Administration: Powdered resin myrrh tincture and other galenical preparations for topical use. Action: Astringent.' Grieve's classic 'A Modern Herbal': 'A direct emmenagogue a tonic in dyspepsia an expectorant in the absence of feverish symptoms a stimulant to the mucous tissues a stomachic carminative exciting appetite and the flow of gastric juice and an astringent wash.' 'It is used in chronic catarrh phthisis pulmonalis chlorosis and in amenorrhoea is often combined with aloes and iron. As a wash it is good for spongy gums ulcerated throat and aphthous stomatitis and the tincture is also applied to foul and indolent ulcers. It has been found helpful in bronchorrhoea and leucorrhoea.' 'It has also been used as a vermifuge. Myrrh is a common ingredient of toothpowders and is used with borax in tincture with other ingredients as a mouth-wash. Meetiga the trade-name of Arabian Myrrh is more brittle and gummy than that of Somaliland and has not its white markings. The liquid Myrrh or Stacte spoken of by Pliny and an ingredient of Jewish holy incense was formerly obtainable and greatly valued but cannot now be identified. Dosages: 10 to 30 grains. Of fluid extract 5 to 30 minims.' King's 1898 Dispensatory: 'Myrrh is stimulant especially to mucous tissues. It also exerts an antiseptic influence and is used to promote expectoration as well as menstruation. It has also been used as a vermifuge. Internally the smaller doses promote digestion. Large doses accelerate the pulse augment the heat of the body cause gastric heat and burning great sweating and marked prostration; occasionally it causes nausea vomiting and purgation. It is not antispasmodic and is contraindicated in internal inflammations. It is generally used in enfeebled conditions of the body and has been found useful in cases of excessive mucous secretion as in gleet chronic gonorrhoea and chronic catarrh; also in laryngitis bronchitis humoral asthma and other diseases of the air-tubes accompanied with profuse secretion but expelled with difficulty. Its property of restraining the mucous discharges is observed to be most pronounced upon the renal and bronchial tract.' 'As an expectorant it acts best by combining it with such agents as squill giving to both an increased force possessed by neither alone. Chronic respiratory disorders are the cases for its exhibition it being indicated in chronic bronchitis with unhealthy and exhausting secretions rel31d mucous tissues and difficulty in raising the sputa. It is contraindicated by arterial excitement or fever. For use in the above condition the following combination an excellent alterative expectorant and stimulating tonic is recommended by Prof. Locke: Rx Syr. prunus virg. syr. senega aa flij; Comp. tinct. of myrrh and capsicum flii. Mix. Sig. Teaspoonful every 3 hours. The same may also be used in the asthma of the aged. Cough and expectoration are lessened the secretions reduced in quantity and the consequent exhaustion incident to profuse expectoration prevented. Besides it acts kindly on the stomach and otherwise sustains the strength of the patient.' American Materia Medica 1919 (Ellingwood): 'This agent has always been highly esteemed as a stimulant although its influence is more of a local than a general character. It exercises the characteristic influence of most of the stimulants upon the excretions and secretions acting as a diaphoretic expectorant sialagogue and to a certain extent emmenagogue.' 'It was once popular in the compound tincture of capsicum and myrrh. As a most active general stimulant in ulcerative engorged flabby and atonic conditions of the mucous membranes of the mouth and throat this agent acts promptly. It stimulates the capillary circulation restores tone and normal secretion and causes the healing of ulcerations. It is useful in sore mouths of all kinds and especially in syphilitic sore mouth and sore throat. It may be combined with other washes or gargles or it will act promptly alone.' 'In the spongy gums and aphthous sore mouth of children in stomatitis materni if combined with an alterative and tonic astringent it will assist in the cure of the very worst cases without taking the child from the breast. An infusion made of white oak bark yellow dock root and myrrh to which may be added a mild antiseptic as baptisia echinacea or boric acid will cure the most intractable cases of this latter named disease. Myrrh is excellent in the sore mouth and extreme ulceration of mercurial ptyalism.' 'In its influence upon the digestive apparatus Myrrh is direct in its action. It quickly increases the power of the digestive function stimulating the peptic glands to extreme action. It increases the appetite and promotes the absorption and assimilation of nutrition. It is given in atonic dyspepsia in the absence of inflammatory action especially if there is excessive mucous discharge from the bowels.' 'While it is expectorant and stimulates the secretion from the mucous membranes when inactive it influences to a satisfactory extent the restoration of the functions of those membranes when the secretion is excessive as in catarrhal conditions. In deficient or excessive action it restores the normal conditions.' 'In debilitating expectoration of phthisis pulmonalis it suppresses secretion and increases the patient's power to throw it off. In excessive mucous secretion from any organ it has a direct influence. In atonic catarrhal diarrheas of a subacute or chronic character its influence is specific and satisfactory.' 'In some cases of catarrh of the bladder it is used internally and in the irrigation fluid also. It is valuable in prostrating leucorrhea.' 'It is an old popular remedy in amenorrhea given in combination with aloes and iron especially in chlorotic and anemic patients. It has long been in use in the old school for this purpose. It may be combined also with macrotin to a good advantage.'