Myrrh: origin, history, how to burn it and how to choose it

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What is myrrh?

Myrrh is a gum-resin produced by Commiphora myrrha (also called Commiphora molmol), a small, very thorny tree 3 to 5 metres tall that grows on rocky slopes and in dry valleys, between 250 and 1,300 metres above sea level. It belongs to the Burseraceae family, like frankincense.

The part used is the sap that seeps from the bark, sometimes naturally, sometimes after incisions. It hardens into small irregular pieces, reddish-brown to golden yellow, often cracked and speckled with pale veins. Its main producing countries are Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Yemen and southern Arabia. Botanists recognise that several related species in the genus Commiphora are difficult to tell apart, which explains the mixtures found in trade.

A little history

Myrrh is one of the oldest fragrant materials for which we have evidence. The Egyptians used it around four thousand years ago, notably in kyphi, a compound perfume intended for temples, and in funerary practices. The Hebrew tradition counts it among the ingredients of the sacred anointing oil, and the Gospel of Matthew lists it among the gifts of the Magi. The Greeks scented wine with it, and a myth tells the story of Myrrha, transformed into a myrrh tree.

Like frankincense, it travelled from southern Arabia to the Mediterranean along the caravan routes, and it was sold by weight at prices comparable to precious metals.

Its scent, described simply

A burning piece gives off a warm, balsamic smell, darker than frankincense, with a clear bitterness and a smoky, slightly earthy base. Some also detect a touch of leather. If heated too strongly it turns acrid: myrrh needs very little material and gentle heat.

Its scent is powerful: it is common to burn only a small fragment, or to combine it with a paler resin.

Traditional cultural uses

Myrrh has long been used in perfume, anointing and rites. It is still burned at ceremonies in Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan and Yemen. In Christian liturgies it accompanies incense; in perfumery it gives a warm “oriental” note to many fragrances, and it is an ingredient in certain liqueurs. In the Christian tradition, its association with frankincense and gold in the account of the Magi has made it a scent loaded with symbols of remembrance and contemplation.

How to burn it

Like frankincense, myrrh is a resin that must be heated:

• On charcoal covered with a fine layer of grey ash: a piece the size of a small pea, sometimes even less. Myrrh smokes a lot and sticks; a mica sheet placed between the ember and the resin prevents it from catching fire.
• On an electric heating plate at a gentle temperature: the scent is clearer, the smoke lighter.
• Crushed: pressed between two spoons or in a mortar, it melts faster and can be used to make your own blends with other resins.

Start with very little: the smell is persistent and quickly saturates a small room. The basic steps, the equipment and how to extinguish it safely are described in the guide Incense and smoke cleansing.

How to choose well and spot imitations

Choose hard, slightly brittle pieces, reddish-brown to golden yellow, translucent at the edges, which smell faintly balsamic when cold. Be wary of:

• very dark, sticky or soft pieces, which may have been mixed with other gums or treated with a solvent;
• batches with a lot of bark, soil or gravel;
• cheap “myrrh” that is in fact another Commiphora species or a related resin (bdellium, opoponax) sold under the same name;
• “myrrh” sticks whose ingredients mention only a “fragrance”: they sometimes contain no myrrh at all.

Opoponax, also called “sweet myrrh”, is a related resin that is sweeter and less bitter. It is not an imitation if it is sold as such.

Sustainability and ethics

Myrrh is less well documented than frankincense: we have not found solid data on the status of wild Commiphora myrrha populations, and we prefer to say so rather than invent an answer. We do know that the trees grow in arid, fragile areas, that harvesting is largely done by hand by pastoral communities, and that the producing regions (the Horn of Africa, Yemen) are often unstable, which makes traceability difficult.

The same good habits apply as for all wild resins: buy little, burn small quantities, prefer sellers who name the origin and harvest, and vary your resins (for example with benzoin, which is grown in forests).

Safety

Myrrh smoke is dense and sticky. Burn small amounts, in a ventilated room with a window slightly open, and not in a bedroom where you sleep. Like all incense smoke, it degrades indoor air quality: keep sessions short and occasional, and air the room thoroughly afterwards. People with asthma or who are sensitive to smells, young children and birds should not be exposed to it; dogs and cats must be able to leave the room.

The charcoal and the burner stay very hot for a long time: use a heat-resistant surface, keep away from fabrics, and never leave it unattended. Sticky myrrh can get stuck in the burner: clean it once it has cooled.

Storage

Store myrrh in a tightly closed glass jar, in a cool place, away from light. Its odour is strong: keep it separate from more delicate incenses. It keeps for several years; over time the surface may whiten slightly, which does not indicate a defect.

Pairings with other incenses

Paired with	What you get
Frankincense	The traditional duo: fresh and bitter, clear and dark.
Benzoin	A rounder, almost vanilla scent that softens the bitterness.
Sandalwood	A soft, woody base that lengthens the smoke.
Patchouli	A deep, earthy, darker ensemble.

Frequently asked questions

Also read

The meanings mentioned belong to tradition and symbolism. They are neither promises of results nor medical advice. Back to Guide to incense and resins.