Myrrh is a fragrant gum-resin obtained from several thorny Commiphora trees and was used in ancient perfumes and cosmetics. The resin forms when the tree’s bark is cut and its sap dries into hardened, aromatic pieces.
Myrrh was traded across the ancient world and valued for its warm, bitter, earthy scent. Ancient Egyptians used it in perfumes, incense, and embalming practices, while texts from the Hebrew Bible and New Testament also mention it as a precious aromatic substance.
The name can be confused with frankincense because both are aromatic resins used in incense and traditional ceremonies. They come from different plants: myrrh mainly comes from Commiphora species, while frankincense comes from Boswellia trees.
Myrrh has also appeared in traditional medicinal preparations, mouthwashes, soaps, and modern fragrances. However, historical use does not automatically prove that every claimed health benefit is medically established. “Myrrh beads” can create another confusion: some are made from seeds of an unrelated West African tree.