Opoponax

Opoponax resin

Other Names : Commiphora erythraea Engler var. glabrescens, Opobalsam, Opopanax, bisabol myrrh, sweet myrrh

Special precautions of Opoponax

• Opoponax Essential Oil is phototoxic and that there is moderate risk of skin sensitization when using the oil topically. Precaution against topical use for those with hypersensitive/diseased/damaged skin. Recommended a dermal maximum usage level of 0.6%.

Uses and benefits of Opoponax

Sweet myrrh essential oil can be applied topically, used in direct inhalation, and diffused. Its primary use is by topical application. As a fragrance base, it has a strong and lingering aroma, and is therefore best used in small quantities when blending. The Actions are antiseptic, antispasmodic, balsamic , expectorant.

• Exert a drying action on mucous membranes; they have been used traditionally for treating bronchitis, colds, sore throats and coughs.
• They are muscle relaxant, anti-inflammatory, and circulatory stimulants.
• In clinical usage they are used for antiseptic and anti-parasitic purposes and, like frankincense and myrrh, the resin is used to fumigate and purify public spaces.
• In Somalia, Opoponax resin is widely used in folk medicine to treat stomach ailments, diarrhea, and for wound healing.
• In other parts of the world, the versatile resin is employed to treat of arthritis because of its analgesic, muscle-relaxant and anti-inflammatory qualities.
• Topically, small amounts of opoponax can be blended with coconut oil on sore muscles and joints.
• In inhalation therapy, opoponax is employed to cleanse, purify and strengthen both physical and emotional systems. It is particularly useful to the throat and lungs in diffusion. Also a mild aphrodisiac, sweet myrrh can be diffused to recreate the essence of ancient temple rituals.
• Cancer : beta-Bisabolene from the Essential oil Extract of Opoponax exhibits cytotoxicity in Breast Cancer lines.

References

• Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 370-371.
• 'https://www.unboundmedicine.com/medline/citation/26666387/%CE%B2_Bisabolene_a_Sesquiterpene_from_the_Essential_Oil_Extract_of_Opoponax__Commiphora_guidottii__Exhibits_Cytotoxicity_in_Breast_Cancer_Cell_Lines_'