Western Herbalism
Myrrh
Myrrha
Also known as Myrrh (Gummi-resina myrrha), Gum Myrrh.
External. Myrrh is the best local application for spongy and bleeding gums and is effective in mercurial and other forms of salivation. The tincture may be diluted with about 6 to 10 parts of water. It may also be used with benefit when the throat is sore and exhibits aphthous or sloughing ulcers, and in chronic pharyngitis with tumid, pallid membranes and elongated uvula.
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Specific Indications and Uses: Chronic bronchitis, with profuse secretion of mucus or muco-pus, with difficult expectoration; membranes lax and pallid, tonsils enlarged and spongy, throat pale and tumid; soreness and sponginess of the gums; reproductive disorders of women, with weight and dragging in the parts, and leucorrhoea.
Safety
Pregnancy: Use with care in pregnancy
Breastfeeding: Use with care while breastfeeding
Dosing as the sources wrote it
| Preparation | As written | Metric |
|---|---|---|
| also in laryngitis, bronchitis, humoral asthma, and other diseases of the air-tubes accompanied with profuse secretion, but expelled with difficulty. Its property of restraining the mucous discharges is observed to be most pronounced upon the renal and bronchial tract. As an expectorant, it acts best by combining it with such agents as squill, giving to both an increased force possessed by neither alone. Chronic respiratory disorders are the cases for its exhibition, it being indicated in chronic bronchitis with unhealthy and exhausting secretions, relaxed mucous tissues, and difficulty in raising the sputa. It is contraindicated by arterial excitement or fever. For use in the above condition, the following combination, an excellent alterative expectorant and stimulating tonic, is recommended by Prof. Locke: Rx Syr. prunus virg., syr. senega, aa fl℥ij | 59.15 mL | |
| Comp. tinct. of myrrh and capsicum fl | Comp. tinct. of myrrh and capsicum flʒii. Mix. Sig. Teaspoonful every 3 hours. The same may also be used in the asthma of the aged. Cough and expectoration are lessened, the secretions reduced in quantity, and the consequent exhaustion incident to profuse expectoration prevented. Besides, it acts kindly on the stomach, and otherwise sustains the strength of the patient. | 7.39 mL |
| Dose, 1 or 2 pills three times a day. | ||
| The dose of the combination of equal parts of these tinctures is from 5 to 20 drops. | 0.1-0.4 mL | |
| myrrh | The dose of myrrh, in powder or pill, is from 5 grains to I drachm; of the tincture, from 20 drops to 2 fluid drachms. | 324 mg |
| Dose, 1 to 15 grains. | 64.8-972 mg |
Doses are reproduced from the sources for practitioners and are not a recommendation for any person.
From the sources
Action and Therapy. External. Myrrh is the best local application for spongy and bleeding gums and is effective in mercurial and other forms of salivation. The tincture may be diluted with about 6 to 10 parts of water. It may also be used with benefit when the throat is sore and exhibits aphthous or sloughing ulcers, and in chronic pharyngitis with tumid, pallid membranes and elongated uvula.
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. This pill is cathartic in doses of from 2 to 4 pills. It has been found very useful in dyspepsia, constipation, jaundice, amenorrhoea, and in all ordinary cases where cathartics are required.
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. This pill is employed in treating amenorrhoea, accompanied by constipation, in debilitated and anemic women. Dose, 1 to 3 pills. Small doses should be administered for some little time previous to the menstrual periods.
Action, Medical Uses, and Dosage. This is a modification of Lady Webster's Dinner Pills. The mastiche retards the solubility of the pill so that its chief action is exerted on the large intestine, hastening rectal evacuation. Used for constipation and gastro-intestinal torpor. Dose, 1 pill (each pill contains about 2 grains of aloes) at dinner or at bedtime.
Drawn from King's American Dispensatory, 18th edition (Felter and Lloyd); Felter's Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, and the Bountiful Herbs editorial.
In formulas
Myrrh stands in 46 documented formulas in the library, among them shên líng dàn, yán hú suo tāng, shào fu hú yu tàng, shên tông zhú yù tāng, qi lí sǎn, die dǎ wán.
Often paired with
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MyrtleMyrtus communis
NagabalaGrewia hirsuta
NasturtiumTropaeolum majus
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