Since ancient times, the genus Commiphora, consisting of over 200 species of plants including myrrh, has been used as a natural remedy to treat pain, skin infections, inflammatory conditions, diarrhea, and periodontal diseases. Diodorus Siculus, a Greek historian, wrote in the first century BC that "all of Arabia exudes a most delicate fragrance; even the seamen passing by Arabia can smell the strong fragrance that gives health and vigor." Always consult a heath care professional before employing herbal remedies to treat any type of bacterial infection.
MRSA
Staphylococcus aureus is a common bacterium found on the skin and in the upper respiratory tracts of up to 25% of a healthy population of people or animals. Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, known as MRSA, is responsible for several chronic infections due to the development of resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics, including the penicillins and the cephalosporins.
There are two types of infection. MRSA is especially problematic in hospitals where it causes infections in patients who have open wounds, invasive medical devices and compromised immune systems. The second, called community-associated MRSA, occurs in people having close skin-to-skin contact with others, such as athletes. Typically, Staphylococcus species do not cause disease in healthy people.
Myrrh
Products derived from Commiphora myrrha, more commonly known as myrrh, and various other species of the genus, are recognized to possess substantial antiseptic, anesthetic, and antitumor properties. Research reported in the November 2007 issue of "Holistic Nursing Practioner" found that these properties are directly attributable to terpenoids, the active compounds present in the oil of myrrh. More recently, current studies have focused on applying clinical trial methodologies to validate its use as an antineoplastic, an antiparasitic, and an adjunct for healing wounds.
Anti-inflammatory and Analgesic Effects of Myrrh
A December 2010 article appearing in "Journal of Ethnopharmacology" reported on the anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects of an ethanol extract of myrrh. The authors found that this extract can significantly decrease levels of inflammatory factors of various diseases associated with inflammatory pain as seen in staphylococcal infections. Chemical analysis of the solution identified possible active ingredients of sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, and diterpenic acids. Moreover, seven other main compounds were identified. The results support the traditional application of this herb for treating various diseases associated with inflammatory pain.
Antimicrobial Activity of Myrrh
An additional study appearing in the September 2010 issue of "National Product Communications" investigated the antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of myrrh. Several of myrrh's main compounds were tested against eleven different strains of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria by various methods. They found that volatile oils of myrrh "exhibited considerable inhibitory effects against all tested organisms, except Pseudomonas, and higher activity was observed against Gram-positive strains." Myrrh has long been known to be effective against many infections and modern scientific research seems to confirm its efficacy.
References
- Journal of Ethnopharmacology; Anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity of different extracts of Commiphora myrrha; S. Su et al.; December 2010.
- Holistic Nursing Practioner; Myrrh: medical marvel or myth of the Magi?; E. Nomicos; November 2007.
- National Product Communications Chemical composition and antibacterial activity of selected essential oils and some of their main compounds.Wanner J, et al.; September 2010.
