Description
Myrrh oleo-gum-resin, also known as herbal myrrh, consists of the physiological exudate of various Commiphora species growing along the coasts of the Red Sea. Commiphorae are small trees or shrubs with a grayish bark, dense characteristic foliage, and rather short, thorny branches. The oleo-gum-resin oozing from cracks in the bark, and sometimes from incisions made on the bark, is a yellowish-white milky liquid. On exposure to air, the liquid hardens to irregularly shaped “tears” of reddish-brown color, exhibiting a warm, aromatic, balsamic, slightly pungent odor. The gum resin is commercially available under different names, depending on the botanical source and the manufacturing site. This distinction is often irrelevant, since different lots may be combined together; thus, it becomes difficult to establish the difference in quality. The commercial product usually consists of small fragments (“tears”) having an irregular shape and a shiny, granular cleavage. The tears are often hollow and fragile. The oleo-gum-resin exudate is the only part used. Myrrh has a warm, balsamic, aromatic odor and a bitter, slightly pungent flavor.
The essential oil, obtained by steam distillation of the gum in approximately 3 to 8% yields, is a light-brown to green liquid with a pungent, balsamic, warm odor and corresponding flavor. The oil tends to darken and thicken on exposure to air and light.
Main constituents include d-pinene, dipentene, limonene, cinam- aldehyde, cuminaldehyde, eugenol, m-cresol, sesquiterpenes, and formic and acetic acids.
The derivatives are tincture (10% in 60 to 65% ethanol), fluid extract, and resinoid. The fluid extract, a dark-green liquid with a pleasant odor and warm flavor, is insoluble in water or sugar syrups; it is readily soluble in 80% ethanol. A resinoid can be prepared by traditional extraction with solvents (benzene, petroleum ether). The product is a viscous, orange-brown paste with a strong, warm, balsamic odor and bitter flavor. The absolute is not prepared from the resinoid, but by direct extraction of the gum resin with alcohol. This resin absolute contains 18 to 20% essential oil and is a very dense, viscous liquid at room temperature. A pourable product is manufactured by adding a high-boiling, odorless solvent prior to evaporation of the alcohol.
Chemical Properties
Myrrh oleo-gum-resin, also known as herbal myrrh, consists of the physiological exudate of various Commiphora species growing along the coasts of the Red Sea. Commiphora species are small trees or shrubs with grayish bark, dense characteristic
foliage, and rather short, thorny branches. The oleo-gum-resin oozing from cracks in the bark, and sometimes from incisions made
on the bark, is a yellowish-white, milky liquid. On exposure to air, the liquid hardens to irregularly shaped “tears” of reddish-brown
color, exhibiting a warm, aromatic, balsamic, slightly pungent odor. The part used is the oleo-gum-resin exudate.
