Myrrh EO

Latin name :

Commiphora myrrha

Botanical profile :

The myrrh tree is part, like incense and elemi, of the Burseraceae family, and of the genus Commiphora.

Geographic origin :

Myrrh trees are native to Somalia, Ethiopia and South Africa, and are still cultivated there.

Chemotypes :

Commiphora genus includes about 190 species.
In perfumery, we use Commiphora myrrha (Myrrh Resinoid / Myrrh EO / Myrrh SFE / Myrrh Absolute) grown mainly in North-East Africa.
Like olibanum, the notion of varieties and chemotypes is very blurred.

Extraction process :

Somalia is the main producer of myrrh, as its dry and warm savannas are favourable to the cultivation of this tree.
The exsudation of the resin takes place naturally or by an incision on the tree. The resin becomes red and solidifies when in contact with air, forming the ''myrrh tears ''. These tears are collected with a blade and freed from their impurities. Then, they are exported to Europe where they are extracted.
An essential oil such as a resinoid can be obtained. The essential oil results from the steam distillation, under high pressure, of the odorous compounds of the resin. Entering a condensor, vapors are liquefied and the oil is settled over myrrh water in a florentine flask. Myrrh Resinoid results from the extraction of the resin using alcohol under cold temperature, to extract the olfactive compounds only.
It is also possible to obtain a supercritical CO₂ extract of myrrh with a superior olfactory quality.
The resinoid may be bleached by distillation.

Major Components :

Furanoeudesma-1,3-diene (30-35%)
Furanodiene (15-20%)
Lindestrene (10-15%)
Beta-Elemene (5-10%)
Germacrene B (≈4%)
Plotter(s) : Curzerene