Gum from the bark of the tree. A small tree or low bush about 3 m in height with a large trunk, many knotty irregular branches, terminating at right angles in sharp spines.
Leaves trifoliate, fruit long and pyriform.
Gum resin is obtained from phloem which contains ducts and cavities. Volatile oil of myrrh exhibits antifungal activity against Rhizopus Saccharomyces cerviseae, Fusarium oxysporum and Gibberella funtukaros. X-ray irradiation causes only slight increase in antifungal activity . Myrrh has stimulant and antiseptic properties and is mainly used in medicinal tooth powder and mouth wash. Useful in dyspepsia, it is also given in menstrual disorders and as a stimulating expectorant in chest diseases, especially in chronic bronchitis and asthma.