Bola: Myrrh – Commiphora myrrha Uses, Dose, Research

Bola – Myrrh is a versatile gum resin. It is orally administered to treat leucorrhea, heavy periods, used locally to treat boils, abscess, applied locally to treat gum disorders, sore throat etc. 

Botanical Names- Commiphora myrrha (Nees) Engl. Also known as Commiphora molmol and Balsamodendron myrrha.

Family- Burseraceae (Guggulu Kula)

Myrrh

Vernacular names

Names in different languages:
Hindi name- Bola, Bol, Hirabol
English Name- Myrrh,
Marathi and Gujrati name- Hirabol
Telugu name- Balin tabolu, Valentrapolam
Bengali name – Gandhbol
Marati – Hirabol
Gujarathi – Hirabol
Tamil – Vellaippapolam
Malayalam – Merra
Arabian name  – Myrr
Persian – Bol

Sanskrit Synonyms

Pinda, Nirloha, Gomata, Nalika, Stoka, Kalakuta, Stomaka, Gopaka, Goparasa, Naalika, Pranapinda, Nirloha, Barbara, Raktapaha,, Mahagandha, Shubhagandhaka, Vishwagandha, Vranari
Raktagandhaka – Exudate red in colour and has a characteristic odour
Jatirasa, Gandharasa, Vasagandhaka, Rasagandha,
All the synonyms having the word Gandha indicates about its odour
All the synonyms having the word Pinda indicate the spherical shape of the resin drops.

Classical categorization

Kaiyadeva Nighantu – Dhatu Varga
Dhanvantari Nighantu – Chandanadi Varga
Bhava Prakasha – Dhatu Upadhatu, Rasoparasa Ratnoparatna Vishopavishadi Varga
Raja Nighantu – Pippalyadi Varga

myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) - Gum resin
myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) – Gum resin

Chemical composition

Commiphora myrrha chemical composition:
Commiferin, a- and b amyrones, Myrrhol, Myrrhin, a-pinene, cadinene, limonene, cuminaldehyde, eugenol, m-cresol, heerabolene, acetic acid, formic acid and other sesquiterpenes and acids.
Important components of the resin are α-, β- and γ-commiphoric acids, α- and β-heerabomyrrhols, heeraboresene, commiferin, burseracin, various terpenes. Also present are the steroids campesterol, cholesterol and β-sitosterol (ESCOP 2003, Hagers Handbuch 1992, Wichtl 1989).

It contains volatile oil known as myrrml-2% resin 35% bitter extract, calcium, phosphate, carbonate.
It also contains commiferim,  α & β amyrones, Myrrhin-2%, volatile oil – 2.5-6.5%, gum-57-61% & various impurities-3-4%.
Volalite oil contains cumenic aldehyde, eugenol, metacresol, pinine, lumonene, dipentene & two susqinterpenes  resin is complex of greater part of it is soluble in ether & consist of three free resin acids α, β, γ   comniphoric acids & esters of another resin acid & two phenolic resins.  Ether insoluble portion consists of two resin acids α, β, γ herabomyrrolic acids.

Myrrh medicinal properties

Guna (qualities) – Laghu – light to digest, Rooksha – Dry in nature
Rasa (taste) – Tikta – bitter, Katu – Pungent, Kashaya – Astringent
Vipaka- Katu – Undergoes pungent taste conversion after digestion
Veerya – Ushna – Hot potency
Effect on Tridosha – It pacifies all the three Doshas, especially Kapha and Pitta.
Pharmacological action – Digestive, Carminative, Expectorant, Intellect promoting, Aphrodisiac, Antiseptic

Part used, dosage

Part used– Gum- resin
Dosage- powder ½ – 1 g
Exudate – 5 – 10 ratti ( 625 mg to 1.25 g)

Infusion :
As the resin only dissolves in water with difficulty, it should be powdered well to make an infusion.  Pour a cup of boiling water on 1-2 teaspoonfuls of the powder and leave to infuse for 10-15 minutes.  This should be drunk three times a day.

Tincture :
As the resin dissolves much more easily in alcohol, the tincture is preferable & easily obtainable.  Take 1-4 ml of the tincture three times a day.

Sanskrit verse

Myrrh uses

Uses, indications

Myrrh uses:
Pachana – Digestive, relieves Ama Dosha
Deepana – improves digestion strength
Medhya – improves intelligence
Vrushya – aphrodisiac, improves vigor
Garbhashaya Vishodhana – Cleanses uterus, female reproductive system
Indicated in –
Jwara – fever
Apasmara – Epilepsy
Kushta – skin diseases
Arsha – hemorrhoids
Bhagna – fractures
Svedagraha – Lack of sweating
Jwara – fever
Pradara – leucorrhea and heavy periods
Raktadosha – blood impurity and vitiation disorders such as acne, skin diseases, bleeding disorders etc
It is very effective in lowering blood sugar levels, hence useful for diabetes management.

External application

Myrrh is applied externally to heal wounds, to stop bleeding and to treat inflammation related to arthritis.

Ayurvedic medicines

Ayurvedic medicines with Commiphora myrrha as ingredient:
Bolabaddha Ras – 
used for treating bleeding haemorrhoids, menorrhagia and such other bleeding conditions.
Bola Parpati – 
used for Ayurvedic treatment of menorrhagia, metrorrhagia and such other bleeding disorders.
Boladi Vati – used in Ayurvedic treatment of gynecological disorders
Maharajaprasarini Thailam – A famous Ayurveda oil used for internal and external applications. It is used in neurological problems.  This oil is also available in capsule form.
Asthi Sandhanak Lep – It is an herbal paste, used to apply externally to heal fractures and dislocations. 
Bolabaddha rasa

Myrrh essential oil

It is extracted by steam distillation method by the resin. It can be toxic in high doses.

Myrrh oil is useful against excessive mucus in lungs, cold, cough, allergic rhinitis, sore throat, bronchitis, diarrhea, digestive disorders and piles.

It is applied locally to treat gingivitis (gum disorder), oral ulcers and sore throats.
It is applied externally to treat boils, ulcers, bed sores, ringworm and eczema.

Research

Anti microbial activity of ethanolic and ether extracts against certain bacteria and Candida albicans

Side effects and precautions

It is best avoided during pregnancy.

Interaction with medicines, supplements

Can this be used while taking Homeopathic medicine?
Yes. This product does not react with homeopathic medicine.

Can this medicine be continued while taking supplements like multivitamin tablets, Omega 3 fatty acids etc?
Yes. Generally, this product goes well with most dietary supplements. However, if you are taking more than one product per day, please consult your doctor for an opinion.

With western medicines
Seek your doctor’s advice if you are taking this product along with other western (allopathic / modern) medicines. Some Ayurvedic herbs can interact with modern medicine.
If both Ayurvedic and allopathic medicines are advised together, then it is best to take Allopathic medicine first, wait for 30 minutes and then take the Ayurvedic medicine.

History

Myrrh is the oleo gum resin that has been regarded as one of the treasures of the East for thousands of years.  In the 5th century BC, Herodotus noted that myrrh was used by the Egyptians for their embalming.  Egyptian women also buried myrrh in pellets to read their homes of fleas.In ancient times myrrh was often buried to mask the stench of the day: unwanted bodies, animals filth in the streets, sewage & other things.
Called Mo yao in China, Myrrh has been used to heal wounds since at least the time of Tang Dynasty.
An infusion of British Myrrh was listed in old herbals as being valuable for girls aged fifteen to eighteen.
The boiled roots were prescribed to improve strength in the elderly.

Habitat

It is a native of North-Eastern America & it also occurs in Arab, Persia, Abyssinia & Siam.  The resinous product of Macca is considered best which is called ‘Muemacci’.  It is found in SomaliLand  Indigenous to North Eastern Africa collected in Southern Arabia collected in Southern Arabia etc. & sold in Indian Bazaars Myrrh of commerce obtained from the resinous exudation of the tree B-Myrrh.  It refers to well drained soil & full sun.

Morphology

Tree or Shrub, with spinescent branches.
Leaf – Trifoliate
Flowers – Small, short pedicelled
Fruit – Drupe, ovoid, brown in colour
Part used – Oleo – gum – resin

Sthanika Karma (Systemic Action)

External – External application of its paste relieves pain, edema, indicated for wound healing, in sciatica, rheumatic joint pain etc. In toothache it can be used for Gandusha.

Nervous System – Pacifies vata dosha

Digestive System –Carminative, digestive, Facilitate proper movement of doshas. Anti helminthic. Indicated in Low digestive fire, Constipation, Abdominal distension, Helminthiasis etc.

Circulatory System – Purifies blood. Indicated in Anemia, Rheumatoid Arthritis etc.

Respiratory System – Indicated in Cough, Breathing disorders, Pacifies kapha dosha

Excretory System – Indicated in Dysuria

Reproductive system – Induce menstruation, Indicated in Dysmenorrhea, Amenorrhea etc.

Skin – Indicated in Skin disorders

Netra – Indicated in Swelling of Eye and in Abishyanta type of Eye disease.

One comment on “Bola: Myrrh – Commiphora myrrha Uses, Dose, Research

  • Pallavi Kulkarni

    22/06/2018 - 3:51 pm

    Reference for chemical composition of bola sir

    Reply to comment

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