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Myrrh: What It Is and How to Use It

Myrrh: What It Is and How to Use It

Myrrh is an aromatic resin harvested from the thorny Commiphora trees native to northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It has been traded as a precious substance for over 5,000 years — it was one of the gifts of the Magi in the biblical account, and ancient Egyptians used it in embalming and religious ceremonies. You can find it in the bulk herb section at William's Natural Foods, 12249 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA 94805.

Available in Bulk

We carry myrrh in our bulk herb section so you can grab the exact amount you want — from a spoonful for incense or craft use to a full bag for ongoing projects. Our staff can help you find it in the bulk bins and explain the resin and powder forms.

What We Carry

  • Myrrh gum resin whole — dried tears and chunks of the raw resin, for incense and crafts.
  • Myrrh gum powder — finely ground resin for blending into topical preparations or incense mixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does myrrh smell like?

Myrrh has a rich, warm, slightly bitter aroma — balsamic and earthy with a hint of sweetness. It is deeper and less sweet than its famous partner frankincense. When burned as incense, it produces a fragrant, meditative smoke that has been used in religious ceremonies for millennia.

How is myrrh harvested?

Harvesters make small cuts in the bark of Commiphora trees, and the tree exudes a milky sap that hardens into golden-brown "tears" of resin. The tears are collected by hand, cleaned, and sorted. A single tree yields only a small amount per year, which is part of why myrrh has always been valued.

What is myrrh traditionally used for?

Beyond incense and perfume, myrrh was traditionally used in oral care — it appears in ancient Egyptian dental preparations, and myrrh-flavored mouthwashes and tooth powders are still sold today. In traditional Chinese and Ayurvedic practices, it was used in topical preparations. Modern evidence for medicinal effects is limited.

What is the difference between myrrh and frankincense?

Both are aromatic tree resins from the same general region, and they are often used together — but they come from different tree genera (Commiphora for myrrh, Boswellia for frankincense). Frankincense is brighter, sweeter, and more citrusy; myrrh is deeper, earthier, and slightly bitter. They complement each other in incense blends.

Did you know? In ancient Rome, myrrh was literally worth its weight in gold at times — the Roman naturalist Pliny the Elder documented its extraordinary price, and it was among the most valuable trade goods moving along the incense routes of Arabia (source: Pliny the Elder, Natural History, Book 12).

Visit William's Natural Foods at 12249 San Pablo Ave, Richmond, CA — open Monday through Friday 9 AM to 7 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 6 PM, and Sunday 10 AM to 5 PM. Our staff are happy to help you find myrrh in the bulk section and answer questions about the forms we carry.

This guide is for general information only and is not medical advice. Talk to your doctor or a qualified health professional about any health questions.