Myrrh essential oil: a deep resinous scent, but never in pregnancy

In brief: Myrrh essential oil (Commiphora myrrha) is a thick resinous oil with a warm, earthy and balsamic scent. It belongs in a diffuser and aroma lamp (2–4 drops) and in skin and massage blends diluted to 1–2%. During pregnancy and breastfeeding it is not used at all, not even in a diffuser.

Myrrh is one of the oldest scent raw materials of all and, together with frankincense, belongs among the biblical gifts of the three kings. As an essential oil, though, it is much less known than frankincense. It smells worse "on first sniff": on its own it is a little bitter and heavy, and only in a blend does it show why perfumers love it.

Below you will find how to use myrrh in practice, what to blend it with, how to dilute it and above all when it is better to leave it in the drawer. With myrrh, one restriction matters more than with most other oils.

How myrrh smells and why it suits blends

The oil from BIO myrrh is amber to brown and noticeably thicker than citrus oils or lavender. It drips slowly, so when dosing, wait until the drop really falls. The scent is warm, earthy, woody and balsamic, with a slightly bitter and sweetish undertone. In perfumery it is a base note, so it lasts long and slows the evaporation of lighter oils in a blend.

On its own, myrrh feels heavy in a diffuser. It works best as 1–2 drops in a blend, where it adds depth. What it goes with:

• frankincense – the classic pair, frankincense brightens and freshens myrrh,
• orange and mandarin – citrus takes off the bitterness,
• lavender – for calm evenings,
• Himalayan cedar – a woody, "grounding" combination,
• rose – in skin oils, where myrrh acts as a fixative.

The general principles of composing scents are described in the article how to combine essential oils.

Diffuser and aroma lamp: how many drops and which blends

For an ultrasonic diffuser in a smaller room 2–4 drops of the blend are enough, for an aroma lamp 2–3 drops. Because myrrh is thick, always combine it with a thinner oil in a diffuser and wipe the tank after use so that no sticky film stays on it. A detailed table by room size can be found in the article how many drops to put in a diffuser and aroma lamp.

Three blends with myrrh

• Three kings (diffuser, medium room): 1 drop of myrrh, 2 drops of frankincense, 2 drops of orange.
• Evening hush (aroma lamp): 1 drop of myrrh, 2 drops of lavender.
• Wood and resin (diffuser): 1 drop of myrrh, 2 drops of cedar, 1 drop of mandarin.

Myrrh traditionally also appears in Christmas scents. More combinations with spices and citrus are in the overview Christmas scents for the diffuser.

On the skin: dilution, face oil and massage

Myrrh is traditionally added to face oils and balms, mainly for dry and mature skin. Always dilute it, though. For the face keep to 1%, for the body and massage 1–2%. We count 1 drop as roughly 0.05 ml.

How to mix a night face oil

1. Pour 30 ml of carrier oil, for example jojoba, into a clean dark bottle.
2. Add 2 drops of myrrh, 2 drops of frankincense and 2 drops of lavender (1% in total).
3. Close the bottle and mix by turning it upside down, not by shaking.
4. Before using the oil on the face, apply a drop to the inside of the forearm and watch for 24 hours whether the skin turns red.
5. Use 2–3 drops in the evening on damp skin and use up within 3 months.

How to choose a carrier oil by skin type and when not to use oils on the face is discussed in the article essential oils for the skin.

Bath: do not drip myrrh directly into the water; the oil would float on the surface and reach the skin undiluted. First mix 3–4 drops in a spoonful of carrier oil or cream and only then pour it into the bath.

Traditional use and what is documented

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has a monograph on myrrh as a traditional herbal medicinal product. It concerns, however, an alcoholic tincture of the resin of Commiphora molmol, which, on the basis of long use, can be applied to minor sores and inflammation in the mouth or to minor wounds. It is intended for adults and adolescents from 12 years of age, and among the risks the EMA lists allergic skin reactions.

An essential oil from an online shop is neither a tincture nor a medicinal product. Do not put it in the mouth, do not swallow it and do not apply it to open wounds. In aromatherapy it serves to scent a space and in cosmetic blends. Laboratory studies deal with myrrh for its antimicrobial activity, but these are experiments in a test tube, not proof of a therapeutic effect at home.

When not to use myrrh

• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tisserand and Young, the authors of the standard handbook Essential Oil Safety, state that myrrh oil may be fetotoxic and is therefore contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding. This applies to any method of use, including the diffuser.
• Children: do not choose myrrh for babies and toddlers; lavender and chamomile are intended for them. For older children 1 drop in a blend in a diffuser is enough, and on the skin only dilution by age (2–6 years 0.5–1%, from 6 years up to 1%). More in the article essential oils and children.
• Cats and dogs: do not run the diffuser in a room with a cat if it cannot leave, and never drip the oil on fur or bedding. Details can be found in the article essential oils and pets.
• Sensitive skin and allergies: if you have ever reacted to myrrh tincture or a toothpaste with myrrh, do not use the oil on the skin.

How to recognise a quality myrrh oil

The bottle should say Commiphora myrrha, the plant part (resin) and the country of origin. Related species and cheaper substitutes are also sold under the name myrrh, which is why the botanical name matters. A quality oil is amber to brown, thick, and smells warm and balsamic, not sharp or chemical. Store it closed in a cool, dark place. Thanks to the high proportion of sesquiterpenes it lasts longer than citrus oils, but still use it up within roughly 2–3 years, and do not use an oil whose scent has changed on the skin.

Frequently asked questions

What is myrrh oil used for?

Mainly to scent a space, in meditation and evening blends and as a fixative in natural perfumes. Diluted, it is added to face oils and balms. It is not a medicine and is not used internally.

What is the difference between myrrh and frankincense?

Both are resins from the family Burseraceae. Frankincense (Boswellia) smells fresher, citrusy and piney, myrrh (Commiphora) warmer, earthier and more bitter. Frankincense can also be used during pregnancy after consulting a doctor, myrrh cannot.

Can myrrh be used during pregnancy?

No. Tisserand and Young list it as contraindicated in pregnancy and breastfeeding because of possible fetotoxicity. In this period leave it out of the diffuser too.

How many drops of myrrh in a diffuser?

1–2 drops of myrrh in a blend with a thinner oil, 2–4 drops in total for a smaller room. Myrrh on its own is thick and smells heavy in a diffuser.

Why is myrrh oil so thick?

It contains a lot of sesquiterpenes, heavier molecules that evaporate slowly. That is why it drips slowly and holds the scent for a long time. If it thickens in the cold, simply hold the bottle in your palm for a while.

Recommended products

• BIO Myrrh, essential oil 10 ml – myrrh from the resin of Commiphora myrrha from Somalia, a warm balsamic base scent.
• BIO Frankincense, essential oil 10 ml – the traditional partner of myrrh, it brightens and lightens the scent.
• BIO Orange, essential oil 10 ml – a citrus that takes the bitterness off myrrh.
• BIO Jojoba 10 ml – a light carrier oil for skin blends with myrrh.
• White ceramic aroma lamp 12.5 × 10.5 cm – for thicker resinous oils an aroma lamp is more practical than a diffuser.

Sources

• EMA/HMPC: Myrrha, summary and monograph (Commiphora molmol Engler, gummi-resina) – ema.europa.eu
• Tisserand R., Young R.: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd edition, Churchill Livingstone 2014 (Myrrh profile, p. 357).
• AromaWeb: Myrrh Essential Oil, composition and safety according to Tisserand & Young – aromaweb.com

Updated: 27 September 2026