You may be familiar with myrrh from Biblical stories even if you’re not sure what it is.
Myrrh is a reddish-brown dried sap from a thorny tree — Commiphora myrrha, also known as C. molmol — that is native to northeastern Africa and southwest Asia
A steam distillation process is used to extract myrrh essential oil, which is amber to brown in color and has an earthy scent .
Myrrh has long been used in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurvedic medicine. Scientists are now testing the oil’s potential uses, including for pain, infections, and skin sores.