“What’s myrrh, mommy?”
“It’s a resin with a smokey and balsamic, typically bitter, scent. It’s used as a perfume or to heal wounds.”
“Whyyyyyyy?”
“Properly, as a result of it has anti-septic….”
“No, mummy! I imply, why would you give that to a child?! Why not a teddy bear?”
“Er… cos he was a king, hun. You give luxurious presents to a king.”
“Being a king sucks then. I’m fairly positive he would have most popular the teddy bear.”
“Me too, hun. Me too.”
Little me didn’t suppose the three Smart Males had been very sensible for bringing myrrh, frankincense and gold to child Jesus. Yep, all fairly stuff, little question, however for a child? I nonetheless can’t wrap my head round it. However myrrh was at all times the present that intrigued me essentially the most. Everyone knows what gold and frankincense are. However, myrrh? Who the heck had heard of it earlier than? And what are the advantages of myrrh in skincare, if any? Let’s discover out:
What Is Myrrh?
Myrrh is a resin that comes from the Commiphora myrrha tree, which grows within the deserts of Africa and the Center East. You’ll acknowledge it as quickly as you see it. It’s that distinctive. It has white flowers, few leaves and a knotted, twisted form that cries.
Properly, not actual tears clearly. However you need to lower the trunk to launch the myrrh after which watch for it to dry. So, it appears just like the tree is crying. Perhaps it’s not joyful we’re robbing it? The yellowish orange oil extracted from the resin typically leads to your lotions and potions. Particularly perfumes and different fragrances. However, it has different makes use of, too.
Again within the day, myrrh was truly price greater than gold. Folks in Egypt, Greece, and Rome traded it like loopy – it wasn’t just a few random resin, it was sacred. Clergymen burned it in temples, medical doctors used it to scrub up wounds, and embalmers even used it to protect our bodies. Principally, this sticky stuff was a giant deal.
Skincare Advantages Of Myrrh
Seems myrrh hasn’t been studied all that a lot. Surprise why that’s? Anyway, right here’s what I’ve uncovered thus far:
1. Myrrh Has Antioxidant Properties
Okay, this research was carried out on rabbits, so it’s not essentially the most dependable. However, evidently myrrh is a powerful antioxidant that can fight oxidative damage (you understand, the one which causes wrinkles). I feel there’s some fact in right here as a result of just about all crops have antioxidants, so why ought to poor myrrh be the exception? However, I don’t suppose it’s one of the best antioxidant on the market or that you simply completely want it. However, for those who’re already utilizing myrrh, it’s good to know it might assist maintain your pores and skin wanting younger, proper?
To place this into perspective: antioxidants like Vitamin C or inexperienced tea are family names as a result of they’ve been examined in lots of of research. Myrrh hasn’t had the identical highlight, so whereas it seemingly helps, you wouldn’t exchange your Vitamin C serum with a myrrh cream simply but. Consider it extra like a backup singer in your skincare routine, not the lead performer.
Associated: Common Antioxidants In Skincare Products: Which One Is Better?
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2. Myrrh Has Soothing Properties
Irritated pores and skin? Myrrh can soothe it. It’s been used eternally in balms and salves as a result of it calms down indignant pores and skin – much less redness, much less itching, much less of that sore, stretched feeling when your face or palms are wrecked. Folks nonetheless throw it into lotions for cracked heels, dry palms, or winter lips. It doesn’t magically heal issues, nevertheless it takes the sting out so that you’re not strolling round uncomfortable. I heard it’s notably good to appease chapped and cracked lips, however I haven’t tried that myself, but.
3. Myrrh Has Antibacterial Properties
Myrrh has been used for hundreds of years to heal wounds and prevent infections. Earlier than antibiotics had been invented, myrrh tinctures had been a go-to treatment for cuts, gum illness, and even respiratory infections. And now science has confirmed what historical knowledge already knew: the resin has antibacterial properties. You’ll nonetheless discover myrrh listed as an ingredient in some pure toothpastes and mouthwashes at the moment as a result of it fights off oral micro organism and helps with bleeding gums.
Different Makes use of of Myrrh (Past Skincare)
Myrrh isn’t only for pores and skin. Folks have been messing round with it for hundreds of years, and it confirmed up in all kinds of random locations:
- Outdated-school medication: they’d throw it into teas or oils to calm sore throats, abdomen issues, that type of factor.
- Non secular rituals: burned in temples throughout Egypt, Greece, and the Center East – consider it as the traditional model of a scented candle, however holy.
- Aromatherapy: some individuals nonetheless put it in diffusers at the moment as a result of they swear it chills them out and helps with stress.
- Tooth and gums: yep, you’ll even discover it in natural tooth powders and rinses as a result of it fights micro organism in your mouth and helps with gum points.
So for those who thought it was only a dusty fragrance ingredient from the Bible, nope. It’s been round eternally, doing a little bit of all the things.
Are There Any Facet Results?
Myrrh sounds all historical and mystical, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a powerful resin, and your pores and skin doesn’t at all times love sturdy issues. In the event you go too heavy with it, particularly undiluted, it may straight-up burn or depart you with a rash. That’s why it’s at all times blended into one thing else – lotions, balms, oils. No person’s out right here rubbing uncooked myrrh on their face for enjoyable.
One other factor: some individuals’s pores and skin simply reacts to resins on the whole. In the event you’re the type of one who will get itchy from important oils, patch take a look at first earlier than you smear a brand new balm throughout your face.
And there’s a giant one – being pregnant. Midwives and herbalists used to present myrrh in excessive doses to set off contractions, so even now the recommendation is often “higher protected than sorry.” Pregnant girls are advised to keep away from concentrated myrrh oils and tinctures. In common skincare merchandise although, the place it’s only a small quantity, it’s fantastic.
Backside line: it’s protected for those who use it the way it’s meant for use. However please don’t get DIY-happy in your kitchen making some “pure myrrh anti-aging serum.” That’s a quick observe to indignant, infected pores and skin.
Widespread Questions About Myrrh In Skincare
Does myrrh actually heal wounds?
It will possibly assist, yeah. Myrrh’s obtained antibacterial and anti inflammatory properties that make cuts sting much less and decrease the danger of an infection. However let’s be actual: trendy antiseptics work quicker and higher. Myrrh is extra of a “soothing further” than a substitute to your first-aid package.
Is myrrh higher than frankincense?
Nope. They’re extra like cousins that obtained well-known for various causes. Frankincense is the anti-aging darling – you’ll see it hyped for wrinkles and aromatherapy. Myrrh’s lane is extra about calming pores and skin and combating off micro organism. Completely different strengths, not likely opponents.
Can myrrh fade scars?
Not in the best way individuals want it did. You’ll hear tales of it making scars look calmer and fewer pink, which is smart as a result of it reduces irritation. However does it easy scars out or erase them? No probability. There’s no onerous science backing that up.
The Backside Line
Myrrh ain’t the most well-liked elements on the market and I can’t see it turning into one quickly. However, if you wish to add a little bit festive cheer to your magnificence routine, tis’ the season to bask in it.
About Gio
Hello, I am Gio. I am a no-nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is pores and skin coach and author on a mission that will help you obtain your greatest pores and skin day ever – daily. I bust skincare myths and debunk advertising and marketing jargon that will help you work out what’s well worth the splurge and what’s greatest left on the shelf – utilizing science, not hype. I additionally provide skincare consultations that will help you create one of the best skincare routine to your distinctive wants.
