Latin (botanical) name: Commiphora Myrrha

Common names: Gum Myrrh Tree

Plant Description: Myrrh trees grow on arid, rocky hills of the deserts of Arabia, Ethiopia, and Somalia. They are virtually non-destructible and can survive under the harsh conditions of the desert. The trees themselves grow to no more than 9 feet in height, but they are extremely sturdy. They have trifoliate leaves, although few at best, that are small and oval. Myrrh trees produce a fragrant, pale yellow to brown resin that seeps out of splits in the bark and hardens into reddish-brown globules called ‘tears’, about the size of a walnut. For thousands of years, these tears have been collected and placed over coals to produce a fragrant smoke. The surface of the gum is rough and powdered, the pieces brittle, semi-transparent, and oily. They have a granular fracture and sometimes show white marks. The odor is pleasant, but the taste is bitter and acrid.

Use: Make a tea by pouring approximately 2 cups of boiling water over 2 heaped tsp of herb. Let steep for 3-5 minutes. In general, sip a cup before breakfast, and another 2 hours after dinner.

Cautions & Interactions: Do not take during pregnancy. Keep out of reach of children.