Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha)
Myrrh is a rich, resinous single oil with deep historical roots, often paired with frankincense in meditation and skincare blends.
How to use it
2–3 drops for a deep, grounding aroma suited to meditation or a quiet evening.
Dilute to 2–5% in a carrier oil — it pairs naturally with frankincense as a base note.
Safety in detail
- Max dermal use
- Dilute in a carrier oil for skin
- Phototoxic
- No
- Traditionally avoided during pregnancy — check with a professional if pregnant.
- Not phototoxic. Dilute for skin use as with any essential oil.
- Keep out of reach of children.
Sources: Marcotullio et al. (2003), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Composition & chemistry
Aggregated from 7 GC-MS samples across 5 peer-reviewed open-access studies (2021–2025). Figures are the distribution across those samples — median with interquartile range — not a single reading.
- Oxygenated sesquiterpene 65.8%
- Sesquiterpene hydrocarbon 24.7%
- Unclassified 8%
- Other terpenoid/aromatic 1.6%
| Constituent | Median | Typical range | Max | Detected in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| β-elemene ↗ C15H24 | 5.8% | 3.9–6.7% | 9.1% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| germacrene b ↗ C15H24 | 4.4% | 3.8–4.5% | 4.6% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| germacrene d ↗ C15H24 | 2.4% | 0.5–2.9% | 3.3% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| γ-elemene ↗ C15H24 | 2.3% | 1.7–2.7% | 3.4% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| τ-cadinol ↗ C15H26O | 1.6% | 0.9–2.2% | 2.9% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| δ-elemene ↗ C15H24 | 1.5% | 0.8–2.0% | 2.2% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| α-selinene ↗ C15H24 | 0.8% | 0.6–1.0% | 1.2% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| β-selinene ↗ C15H24 | 0.8% | 0.6–0.9% | 1.1% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| β-bourbonene ↗ C15H24 | 0.7% | 0.4–0.9% | 1.2% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| β-caryophyllene ↗ C15H24 | 0.7% | 0.5–1.1% | 1.5% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| δ-cadinene ↗ C15H24 | 0.4% | 0.3–0.5% | 0.5% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
| α-copaene ↗ C15H24 | 0.4% | 0.3–0.4% | 0.4% | |
Loading evidence… | ||||
+ 18 more compounds reported across the dataset.
5 peer-reviewed sources behind these figures
- Hamed AM, Awad AA, Abdel-Mobdy AE, Alzahrani A, Salamatullah AM. (2021). Buffalo Yogurt Fortified with Eucalyptus (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and Myrrh (Commiphora Myrrha) Essential Oils: New Insights into the Functional Properties and Extended Shelf Life. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Spinozzi E, Ferrati M, Baldassarri C, Rossi P, Favia G, Cameli G, Benelli G, Canale A, De Fazi L, Pavela R, Quassinti L, Giordani C, Araniti F, Cappellacci L, Petrelli R, Maggi F. (2025). Essential oil and furanosesquiterpenes from myrrh oleo-gum resin: a breakthrough in mosquito vector management. Natural products and bioprospecting.
- Alanazi NAH, Alamri AA, Mashlawi AM, Almuzaini N, Mohamed G, Salama SA. (2024). Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Chemical Profiling of Commiphora myrrha Resin Extracts and Evaluation of Larvicidal, Antioxidant, and Cytotoxic Activities. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Ulrich J, Stiltz S, St-Gelais A, El Gaafary M, Simmet T, Syrovets T, Schmiech M. (2022). Phytochemical Composition of Commiphora Oleogum Resins and Their Cytotoxicity against Skin Cancer Cells. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland).
- Madia VN, De Angelis M, De Vita D, Messore A, De Leo A, Ialongo D, Tudino V, Saccoliti F, De Chiara G, Garzoli S, Scipione L, Palamara AT, Di Santo R, Nencioni L, Costi R. (2021). Investigation of Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. Oil and Its Main Components for Antiviral Activity. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland).
Every figure above traces to a named table in one of these open-access papers. How this was built →
- Furanoeudesma-1,3-diene — the dominant furanosesquiterpene behind myrrh's balsamic aroma; the focus of its laboratory anti-inflammatory research Marcotullio et al. (2003), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Myrrh has one of the longest documented histories of any aromatic in human use.
What the research says
An honest read of the published research — what has actually been studied, at what stage. Not medical advice or a promise of results.
-
Myrrh's furanosesquiterpenes have been studied for anti-inflammatory and analgesic-related activity in laboratory models. These are early findings about isolated activity, not clinical proof the oil treats pain or disease.
Marcotullio et al. (2003), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Evidence & sources
Peer-reviewed research on Myrrh's chemistry and safety. These describe composition and documented effects — not health or treatment claims.
-
Myrrh oil is dominated by furanosesquiterpenes, especially furanoeudesma-1,3-diene, which give the oil its warm, resinous character.
Marcotullio et al. (2003), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Frequently asked questions
What is myrrh oil made from?
Like frankincense, myrrh is steam-distilled from a hardened tree resin — in this case from Commiphora trees. The oil is rich in furanosesquiterpenes that give it a deep, warm, balsamic scent. Marcotullio et al. (2003), Journal of Essential Oil Research
Can I use myrrh oil during pregnancy?
It's traditionally avoided during pregnancy. If you're pregnant, check with a qualified professional before using it.
Is myrrh phototoxic?
No — myrrh is a resin oil with no phototoxic constituents, so there's no sun-exposure restriction. Dilute it for skin use as usual.
Gallery
The tree & source
Myrrh comes from Commiphora myrrha, a thorny, scrubby tree that grows wild in the arid, rocky terrain of the Horn of Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia) and the southern Arabian Peninsula (Yemen, Oman). It’s a tough, drought-adapted species, often little more than a gnarled shrub, and it produces its resin as a defense response when the bark is wounded.
How it’s extracted
Harvesters score the bark, and the tree exudes a thick sap that oxidizes in the air into reddish-brown, waxy “tears.” Those resin tears are collected once hardened and then steam-distilled to yield the essential oil — a slower, thicker distillation than most leaf or flower oils.
History
Myrrh has one of the longest documented histories of any aromatic in human use. Ancient Egyptians used it in embalming and temple incense; it traveled the same overland incense routes as frankincense between Arabia and the Mediterranean; and it’s named in ancient religious texts across multiple cultures as one of the most valuable substances of its time, traditionally counted among the gifts brought to the infant Jesus alongside frankincense and gold.
Aroma
Warm, earthy, and resinous, with a faintly balsamic, slightly medicinal depth — heavier and less sweet than frankincense, though the two share an obvious family resemblance.
Everyday uses
In the diffuser: 2–3 drops gives a deep, grounding aroma well-suited to meditation or a quiet evening routine; because myrrh is thick, it can take a moment longer to diffuse fully than a thin, watery oil.
On skin: dilute to 2–5% in a carrier oil. Myrrh has a long history in traditional skin-care preparations, and it pairs naturally with frankincense as a grounding base note in a blend.
Safety note
Patch-test before regular topical use, as with any concentrated resin oil, and avoid use during pregnancy without guidance from a healthcare provider.
Found in these blends
Myrrh is one of the oils inside 7 Young Living blends.