Use myrrh to treat cutaneous fungal infections

Research published in the journal Pharmaceutical Biology confirmed that myrrh (Commiphora molmol) is an effective treatment for cutaneous fungal infections. The study was conducted by researchers in Iran who looked at the antifungal activity of myrrh ethanol extract and essential oil against skin dermatophytes.

• Myrrh is a resin obtained from the cracked stem of thorny tree species of the genus Commiphora.
• Myrrh has been traditionally used as a poultice for treating skin fungal infections.
• For the study, the researchers examined the antifungal activity of myrrh oil extract and ethanol myrrh extract against dermatophytes fungi Trichophyton rubrum, T. mentagrophytes, Microsporum canis, M. gypseum, and T. verrucosum.
• The team also analyzed the chemical composition of myrrh ethanol extract and myrrh essential oil.
• The main components of myrrh essential oil were furanoeudesma 1,3-diene and menthofuran.
• The main components of myrrh ethanol extract were 2-tert-butyl-1,4-naphthoquinone, benzenemethanol,3-methoxy-?-phenyl, and curzerene.
• The results revealed that myrrh ethanol extract and myrrh essential oil exhibited antifungal activity, but myrrh essential oil had higher antifungal activity than that of the ethanol extract.
• In addition, both myrrh essential oil and extract displayed good anti-elastase activity.
• Applying myrrh topically could decrease the inflammation of the infected skin and bring back the skin to its normal state.

In conclusion, the findings of the study confirmed the effectiveness of myrrh as a topical treatment for cutaneous fungal infections.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

To read more studies on natural treatments for skin fungal infections like myrrh, visit NaturalMedicine.news.

Journal Reference:

Mahboubi M, Mohammad Taghizadeh Kashani L. THE ANTI-DERMATOPHYTE ACTIVITY OF COMMIPHORA MOLMOL. Pharmaceutical Biology. 1 October 2015; 54(4): 720-725. DOI: 10.3109/13880209.2015.1072831