Myrrh Oil
Myrrh oil (Commiphora myrrha resin): the difference between the essential oil and the EMA-assessed resin tincture, what two massage trials found, and safety notes.
Content last updated . This page has not been medically reviewed.
Safety first. Natural products can cause side effects and interact with medicines. Read essential oil safety before you use anything on this page.
Safety note: the official European assessment of myrrh covers an alcohol extract of the resin, not the essential oil, and it does not recommend use in pregnancy or breastfeeding. [1][2] Do not swallow essential oils. If anyone does, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 (US).
What myrrh oil is
Myrrh is the resin of the tree Commiphora molmol Engler, in the EMA's wording. [1] GBIF treats Commiphora molmol (Engl.) Engl. ex Tschirch as a synonym and gives Commiphora myrrha (T.Nees) Engl. as the accepted name, in the family Burseraceae. [3] A review says myrrh's essential oil has applications in cosmetics, aromatherapy and perfumery. [4] Myrrh oil is often sold or studied together with frankincense oil (see frankincense oil), so trial results often cannot be pinned on myrrh alone.Three different things with one name
| Product | What it is | Where the evidence comes from |
|---|---|---|
| Myrrh essential oil | Volatile oil from the resin, used for scent and massage | Small trials and laboratory studies below |
| Myrrh tincture (alcohol extract) | A liquid extract made by putting the resin in a solvent such as ethanol | The EMA assessment [1] |
| Blends with frankincense or other oils | Two or more oils together | Both massage trials below |
The EMA says its conclusions only cover preparations made with a solvent such as ethanol, and not combinations with other herbs. [1] Results for one row do not carry over to another.
Traditional use
Traditional use only, not proof. A review says myrrh has been used traditionally for wounds, mouth ulcers, aches, fractures, stomach disorders, microbial infections and inflammatory diseases. [4] The EMA accepted the tincture for minor mouth ulcers and inflammation, minor wounds and small boils on the basis of long-standing use, meaning at least 30 years of safe use, and not clinical trials. [1] The sources we read give no region-specific history, so we do not describe one.What research shows
| Use | What the source found | Strength of evidence | Population and form studied |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mouth ulcers, minor wounds | The EMA says there is insufficient evidence from clinical trials but effectiveness is plausible. [1] | Traditional use only | Adults and adolescents over 12; tincture |
| Chronic low back pain | In a three-arm trial (30, 31 and 30 people), the frankincense and myrrh massage group improved more on pain and disability scores than the jojoba-oil massage group or a no-massage group. [5] | Promising but limited; two oils blended, so myrrh alone is unknown | 91 people with chronic low back pain, 2023; massage with a blend |
| Back pain after a heart procedure | Pain scores did not differ between groups, though overall comfort was higher with the frankincense and myrrh massage. [6] | Mixed; the authors say more rigorous research is needed on pain | 90 people, 2024; massage with a blend |
| Germ-killing, inflammation, pain in dishes or animals | The EMA considered laboratory studies showing antibacterial, local anaesthetic and anti-inflammatory effects. [1] | Preclinical (cells or animals) | Laboratory preparations |
| Other popular claims (immunity, "detox", hormones) | Proper evidence not found. We searched PubMed for myrrh essential oil, myrrh oil randomized trials and Commiphora myrrha safety and found nothing that tests these in people. | Marketing claim | Not applicable |
Both human trials compared the blend with a jojoba-oil massage. [5][6] Smell cannot be hidden, which makes blinding difficult. For massage more broadly, see aromatherapy massage.
Forms, and why the form matters
The EMA monograph is for a tincture used on the skin or in the mouth, and it points to the package leaflet for instructions. [1] We give no amounts. The trial blends were applied by massage. [5] Swallowing myrrh oil is not supported by anything we read.Quality and adulteration
The sources we read do not describe adulteration of myrrh oil specifically. For general testing and labels, see essential oil purity and adulteration.Official statements
- EMA committee on herbal medicinal products (EU), summary for the public 2019 and monograph 2011: myrrh tincture accepted on traditional use for minor mouth ulcers, minor wounds and small boils; not recommended in pregnancy and lactation or under 12. [1][2]
Uses studied and safety checks for Myrrh Oil
Read the safety checks first. Each card says whether a finding comes from people or only from the lab, which way the oil was used (scent, on skin or swallowed) and how strong the evidence is. A finding for one way of using an oil does not carry over to another.
Check before you use (3)
- Skin allergy and alcohol irritation (tincture). EMA says allergic skin reactions have been reported with myrrh medicines, how often is not known, and the alcohol in the liquid extract may cause short-lived pain and irritation on skin or the mouth lining.
- Children and pregnancy. EMA says myrrh medicines should only be used in adults and adolescents over 12. The EMA page we read does not address pregnancy; the existing site page cites the 2011 EMA monograph for use not recommended in pregnancy and breastfeeding, which we did not re-read.
- Undiluted use, swallowing and aspiration. Poison Control says to dilute potent oils, avoid damaged skin, and that swallowing some oils is dangerous and aspirating one can cause pneumonia. We could not read a dermal maximum for myrrh oil.
Frankincense and myrrh massage for chronic low back pain
Preliminary or mixedIn a three-arm trial (30, 31 and 30 people) the frankincense and myrrh massage group improved more on pain and disability scores than jojoba-oil massage or no massage.
Supplements: Blend, massage route, one trial (2023, Turkey).
Back massage with the blend after a heart procedure
Preliminary or mixedIn 90 people, pain scores did not differ between groups, though overall comfort was higher with the frankincense and myrrh massage; the authors ask for more rigorous research on pain.
Supplements: Comfort score differed; pain did not.
Myrrh tincture for minor mouth ulcers, wounds and small boils (not the oil)
Preliminary or mixedEMA accepts an alcohol extract of myrrh for minor mouth ulcers and inflammation and for minor wounds and small boils, on the basis of long-standing traditional use, not clinical trials, in adults and adolescents over 12.
Supplements: Traditional use only; EMA says plausibility, not trial proof.
Cell damage in the lab at the highest strength
Lab or animal research onlyIn human blood cells in a dish, only the highest concentration of myrrh oil caused significantly more DNA damage markers, and no mutations appeared in a bacterial test.
Supplements: Lab only.
Lab and animal activities (anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial)
Lab or animal research onlyA 2023 review lists anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial and other activities of myrrh in lab and animal work and describes traditional uses for wounds, mouth ulcers and aches.
Supplements: Lab or animal only.
Medicines, liver, pets and asthma
Not enough evidenceThe sources we read describe none of these for myrrh oil; a review says its drug interactions still need to be worked out.
Supplements: Ask a pharmacist or vet.
Connected topics
Open a group to see how each topic connects and how strong the evidence is.
Body parts (1)
- SkinDocumented risk
EMA says allergic skin reactions have been reported with myrrh medicines; the tincture can also irritate through its alcohol.
Conditions & symptoms (3)
- Chronic Low Back PainPreliminary or mixed
One small trial of a frankincense and myrrh massage favored the blend; myrrh alone untested.
- Contact DermatitisDocumented risk
EMA reports allergic skin reactions with myrrh medicines (frequency unknown).
- Recurrent Mouth UlcersPreliminary or mixed
EMA accepts a myrrh tincture (not the oil) for minor mouth ulcers on traditional use, not trials.
Frequently asked questions
Is myrrh oil the same as myrrh tincture?
No. The EMA's conclusions cover preparations made with a solvent such as ethanol, not the essential oil. [1]
Does myrrh oil relieve back pain?
A 2023 trial found a frankincense and myrrh massage reduced chronic low back pain scores more than jojoba oil massage or no massage. [5] It used two oils together, and a second trial found no difference in pain. [6]
Is myrrh safe in pregnancy?
The EMA monograph says safety has not been established and use is not recommended. [2] Ask a clinician.
Can myrrh cause an allergic reaction?
Allergic skin reactions have been reported with myrrh medicines. [1]
What is the difference between myrrh and frankincense oil?
They are separate oils with separate pages, and trials often combine them. See frankincense oil.
More details: evidence, limits and cautions
The details behind this page: cautions, limits of the evidence and where sources disagree. Open any note to read it.
Safety
- Allergy. The EMA says allergic skin reactions have been reported with myrrh medicines, frequency unknown. [1]
- Alcohol. The tincture contains alcohol, which may cause short-lived pain and irritation on skin or the lining of the mouth. [1]
- Eyes. The monograph says eye contact with myrrh tincture should be avoided. [2]
- Children. The EMA says myrrh medicines should only be used in adults and adolescents over 12. [1]
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding. The monograph says safety has not been established and use is not recommended. [2] See pregnancy and breastfeeding.
- Cell damage in the lab. In human blood cells in a dish, only the highest concentration of myrrh oil caused significantly more damaged cells, and no mutations appeared in a bacterial test. [7] This does not show what happens in people.
- Medicines, liver and kidney, asthma: not described for myrrh oil in the sources we read. Ask a pharmacist (medicine interactions).
- Surgery: tell the surgical team about any oil or supplement product.
- Pets and children at home: keep oils locked away. [8] See essential oils and pets.
References
- European Medicines Agency (EMA), Myrrha - herbal medicinal product (HMPC summary and documents). Read 2026-10-23.
- EMA HMPC, Community herbal monograph on Commiphora molmol Engler, gummi-resina (2011). Read 2026-10-23.
- GBIF species-matching service (plant names checked 2026-10-23). Read 2026-10-23.
- Commiphora myrrh: a phytochemical and pharmacological update, 2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- The effects of massage with frankincense and myrrh oil in chronic low back pain: A three-arm randomised controlled trial, Explore 2023. Read 2026-10-23.
- The effect of back massage with frankincense and myrrh oil before the cardiac electrophysiological procedure, Explore 2024. Read 2026-10-23.
- In vitro cytogenotoxic and mutagenic effects of Commiphora myrrha essential oil, Drug and Chemical Toxicology 2022. Read 2026-10-23.
- Poison Control (National Capital Poison Center), essential oils article. Read 2026-10-23.